Midway through the second hour of Fox News’ GOP debate, moderator Megyn Kelly presented a video montage of Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and Jeb Bush all appearing to flip-flop on immigration. That’s when the gloves finally came off.
“You’ve been wiling to say or do anything in order to get votes,” Rubio lashed out at Cruz, setting off an immigration squabble. “This is the lie that Ted’s campaign is built on.”
“Now you want to trump Trump on immigration,” Rubio incredulously asked Cruz.
“I’m kind of confused because he was the sponsor of the Gang of Eight bill,” Bush jumped in, curiously deflecting fire from Cruz to continue his attack on Rubio.
“It’s perfectly legal in this country to change your mind,” Chris Christie finally interjected in a weak attempt to return civility to the debate.
For conservatives on Twitter, the entire episode played out like bitter family battle:
Those Rubio clips pretty brutal
— Rich Lowry (@RichLowry) January 29, 2016
I can't believe he's been able to get through so many debates without having to answer this question
— Daniel Larison (@DanielLarison) January 29, 2016
So Rubio's argument is that USA need someone like him who is willing to ACT as an open-borders tool, not just talk about it.
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) January 29, 2016
Rubio unloads on Cruz, crowd boos.
— Jon Ralston (@RalstonReports) January 29, 2016
On immigration legalization, Cruz is basically saying you must believe me now when I say I was lying back in 2013.
— Brit Hume (@brithume) January 29, 2016
The clips of Cruz are precisely why I have such a hard time believing him.
— Chicks On The Right (@chicksonright) January 29, 2016
Big takeaway on immigration exchange: Rubio, Bush & Cruz all changed (or seemed to change) positions. Confusion benefits Rubio. #GOPdebate
— Stephen Hayes (@stephenfhayes) January 29, 2016
Check out our GOP debate recap here:
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