PoliticsRepublican presidential candidatesRepublican Presidential PrimaryRepublican presidential debate

Republican Fox News Debates Serve Up 8 Moments Of Political Burlesque

8 Moments Of Burlesque From The Republican Primary Debates
Paul Vale
|

NEW YORK -- The 2016 presidential election got underway on Thursday. More than a year before America (or the 60 percent that vote) goes to the polls, Fox News broadcast two live TV debates from Cleveland, Ohio featuring 17 (yes, 17) Republican candidates, all who believe they have a chance at trousering the keys to the White House next year.

Open Image Modal

The cast -- seven in the first debate, 10 in the second -- included some impressive characters, particularly in the 5pm undercard where Carly Fiorina, a former business CEO and the only woman on either stage, put in a solid show. Unfortunately, her performance was slightly undone after it was revealed she left a copy of her closing statement on a hotel printer. It wasn't the only moment of burlesque. The main event, which included Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Chris Christie, Donald Trump, Scott Walker, Mike Huckabee, John Kasich, Ben Carson and Rand Paul, was similarly entertaining.

Here are 8 of the best moments from a night of political vaudeville:

8 Moments Of Burlesque From The Fox News Debate
Trump Flies In(01 of07)
Open Image Modal
'Man of the people' and defender of the America's blue-collar workforce Donald Trump arrives in Ohio on a private jet. (credit:Matthew Busch via Getty Images)
'Ronald Raven'(02 of07)
Open Image Modal
Governor Rick Perry, famed for not being able to recall which agencies of government he’d abolish, mispronounced the name of the long-dead Republican Messiah Ronald Reagan. Instead, he said "all the way back when Ronald Raven signed a piece of legislation..." SQUAWK! (credit:YouTube)
Trump Does Not Give A F***(03 of07)
Open Image Modal
The debate opened with the moderator asking if any candidate would not pledge to support the eventual winner or rule out a third-party run. The real estate tycoon stuck up a big right hand. 'BOOOOOOOOOO' (credit:AP)
Trump Really Does Not Give A F****(04 of07)
Open Image Modal
Moderator: 'You've said that women are fat pigs, slobs and dogs'
Trump: 'Only Rosie O'Donnell'
ZING! (credit:AP)
'God's A Fair Guy'(05 of07)
Open Image Modal
Ben Carson, a former neurosurgeon whose understanding of the world barely extends beyond Bronze-Age myths, was asked about reforming the tax system. Naturally, he reached for the Bible, suggesting the tax code should be based on “tithing.” TITHING? As in giving one-tenth of income to the government in the same way demanded by religious organisations. Why tithing? “Because God’s a fair guy.” (credit:AP)
This Guy(06 of07)
Open Image Modal
Deep-crust peddler and 2012 Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain live blogged the debate with sniffy tweets. Theo Von hit him back with a double 'pizza' riposte. (credit:Twitter)
A Silly Country(07 of07)
Open Image Modal
This was an actual question:
'Have you received word from God on what you should take care of first?'

SEE ALSO:

Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip