To think Carly Fiorina was not originally scheduled to be a part of the GOP Debate at the Reagan Library moderated by CNN. Fiorina proved once again her ability to bring substance and style to the GOP debate, knocking Donald Trump off his high horse with one simple statement, and linking Planned Parenthood and Iran that provided a defining moment the rest of the GOP field sought.
“Iran and Planned Parenthood,” she said at one point, are both “incredibly important.”
“One has something to do with the defense of security of this nation,” she went on, tying together these two seemingly distinct issues. “The other has something to do with the defense of the character of this nation.”
“Anyone who has watched this video tape — I dare Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama to watch these tapes. Watch a fully formed fetus on the table, it’s heart beating, it’s legs kicking while someone says we have to keep it alive to harvest its brain,” the Republican presidential contender said.
“This is about the character of our nation, and if we will not stand up in and force President Obama to veto this bill, shame on us.”
When asked about comments GOP frontrunner Donald Trump made, that he couldn’t imagine someone with her face being elected president and whether she accepts Trump’s subsequent explanation that he was talking about her personality, Fiorina was succinct in her response.
“I think women all over this country heard very clearly what Mr. Trump said,” bringing the loudest applause from the live crowd of the night.
Trump quickly tried to clean up his mess adding , “I think she’s got a beautiful face, and I think she’s a beautiful woman.”
Fiorina is going to get traction from this performance. Eventually the field of 16 will thin itself out and where the supporters of those candidates land will re-shape the front runners. Expect Fiorina to land among the leaders.
The shine is off the Trump candidacy. Clearly his act is growing old and the substance of his message to the American people non-exisitant. Fiorina helped point that out in last nights debate.