Fox News Channel Des Moines, IA 1st tier debate @9pm ET **live commentary thread**

[5280]

Did uselectionatlas freeze up?

[Adam Griffin]

They really want a debate between Cruz and Rubio. Honestly, Rubio seems like the better debater right now.

He's pretty weak in my opinion, when you analyze his substance. He literally has two talking points that perpetually contradict each other: the first one is "we need a fresh face and someone who can connect to the youngsters", and the second one is "I don't want to change America: I want to keep America the way it is because WE'RE THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD".

Seriously, that second line makes at least 3 appearances in each debate.

[Pyro]

Moderators angry at Trump and taking it out on the candidates on stage.

[Illiniwek]

They really want a debate between Cruz and Rubio. Honestly, Rubio seems like the better debater right now.

You must be watching a different debate.  Rubio can't pronounce words correctly

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Close down any place where radicalization is occurring? The debate is over, guys.

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

Is Rubio's face turning red?

[Oak Hills]

Did uselectionatlas freeze up?

It does that around 9:30 p.m. Eastern every night.

[DavidB.]

"They saw Muslims"

[Adam Griffin]

"When I am President of the United States, if we don't know who you are or where you came from, then you are going to Guantanamo Bay and we're going to figure out everything you know."

[Dorko Julio]

I was going to watch the debate with my neighbors and discuss it there, but they're all watching Trump.

SO, Jeb was pretty good with his answers. Rubio is alright, and I like Rand tonight too.

[5280]

Christie did fairly well with the non-profiling of terrorists. He's the law enforcement guy for sure.

[Dorko Julio]

I gotta say, Cruz hasn't really impressed me tonight so far.

[5280]

Man this debate dry af without Trump.

It's not as entertaining for sure.

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

Who's gonna be the first to BOMB Da'esh?

[DavidB.]

Man this debate dry af without Trump when John Kasich is talking.

[defe07]

Moderators angry at Trump and taking it out on the candidates on stage.

I noticed that too!

[/]

Just turned on the TV... did anything interesting happen so far?

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

Megyn Kelly asks a very good question about encryption backdoors:

Kasich: "I don't understand encryption, so lets not talk about that".

 you, Mr, Kasich.  you very much you ignorant sack of toads.

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

Just turned on the TV... did anything interesting happen so far?

Cruz got demolished

Man this debate dry af without Trump when John Kasich Ben Carson is talking.

[Adam Griffin]

Bush is doing pretty well tonight. I wonder if he doesn't feel intimidated by TRUMP's presence?

[Dorko Julio]

Just turned on the TV... did anything interesting happen so far?

Cruz was arguing with the moderators (well really Chris Wallace). Carson seems irrelevant to me. Paul doing pretty good and speaking quite a bit. Bush has more energy but not quite high energy. Kasich is Kasich. Rubio is really, really trying to win the debate, to varied results. Christie has had some great moments talking about profiling and national security.

Overall nothing earth shattering.

[5280]

This debate is getting boring.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Megyn Kelly asks a very good question about encryption backdoors:

Kasich: "I don't understand encryption, so lets not talk about that".

 you, Mr, Kasich.  you very much you ignorant sack of toads.

I wish they had asked that of Hillary, she's terrible on that issue.

[IceSpear]

Jeb is doing a lot better without his nemesis around to punch him in the face.

[5280]

This debate is getting boring.