CBS GOP S.C. Debate: on Government Reform
Ben Carson:
Appointing a justice before election would be divisive
We need to start thinking about the divisiveness that is going on in our country. I looked at some of the remarks that people made after finding out that Justice Scalia had died, and they were truly nasty. That we have managed to get to
that position is truly a shame. We should be thinking about how we could create some healing in this land. Right now, we're not going to get healing with President Obama and I agree that we should not allow a judge to be appointed during his time.
Source: 2016 CBS Republican primary debate in South Carolina
Feb 13, 2016
Ben Carson:
We have 645 federal agencies--that's way, way too many
We've got government regulators, and all they're doing is running around looking for people to fine. And, we've got 645 different federal agencies, and sub-agencies. Way too many, and they don't have anything else to do.
What we really need to do is start trimming the regulatory agencies rather than going after the people who are trying to increase the economic viability of our society. If you want to get rid of poverty, get rid of all the regulations.
Source: 2016 CBS Republican primary debate in South Carolina
Feb 13, 2016
Donald Trump:
Delay, delay, delay on Supreme Court appointment
Q: The death of Justice Antonin Scalia leaves a vacancy on the Supreme Court. You've said that the President shouldn't nominate anyone in the rest of his term to replace Justice Scalia. If you were President, and had a chance with 11 months left to go in
your term, wouldn't it be an abdication not to name a conservative justice with the rest of your term?TRUMP: If I were President now I would certainly want to try and nominate a justice.
Frankly, I'm absolutely sure that President Obama will try and do it. I hope that our Senate is going to be able to do something about it.
Q: So, just to be clear on this, you're OK with the President nominating somebody?
TRUMP: think he's going
to do it whether or I'm OK with it or not. I think it's up to [Senate Majority Leader] Mitch McConnell, and everybody else to stop it. It's called delay, delay, delay.
Source: 2016 CBS Republican primary debate in South Carolina
Feb 13, 2016
Donald Trump:
I would build consensus, not use Executive Orders
Q: You promised that if Ford were to move a factory to Mexico, you would stop it or threaten them with a 35 percent tax or tariff on every car sold. Based on your understanding of the presidency, where do you derive that power?TRUMP: I would build
consensus with Congress. I don't like the idea of using executive orders like our president. I would build consensus, but consensus means hard work. You have to get them into the Oval Office and get them all together, and you have to make deals.
Source: 2016 CBS Republican primary debate in South Carolina
Feb 13, 2016
Jeb Bush:
I'm an Article II guy: Presidency over Supreme Court
Q: Would you have a litmus test for a Supreme Court justice? BUSH: Not on specific issues. I'll nominate people that have a proven record in the judiciary. The next president needs to appoint someone with a proven conservative record.
The president has every right to nominate Supreme Court justices. I'm an Article II guy in the Constitution. We're running for the president of the United States.
We want a strong executive. But in return for that, there should be a consensus orientation on that nomination, and there's no doubt that Barack Obama will not have a consensus pick.
[Note: Article II of the U.S. Constitution outlines the powers of the presidency, including nominating Supreme Court justices for confirmation by the U.S. Senate]
Source: 2016 CBS Republican primary debate in South Carolina
Feb 13, 2016
John Kasich:
Country too partisan to appoint justice before election
The country is divided right now. I wish the president would think about not nominating somebody. We're going to have an election for President very soon, and the people will understand what is at stake in that election.
I believe the President should not move forward, and I think that we ought to let the next President of the United States decide.
Source: 2016 CBS Republican primary debate in South Carolina
Feb 13, 2016
Marco Rubio:
No to a simple majority to confirm a Supreme Court justice
Q: You were once in favor of dropping the threshold majority -- you were never in favor of that?A: No, I've never [been in favor]. Today, appellate judges can now be appointed by a simple majority, but not Supreme Court justices.
I think today you see the wisdom of why we don't that want to change. Because if that were the case and we were not in charge of the Senate, Harry Reid and Barack Obama would ram down our throat a liberal justice.
Source: 2016 CBS Republican primary debate in South Carolina
Feb 13, 2016
Marco Rubio:
I will reverse US decline, both at home and abroad
People live paycheck to paycheck. Our culture's in trouble. Around the world, America's reputation is in decline. Our allies don't trust us, our adversaries don't fear us. These are difficult times, but 2016 can be a turning point.
If you elect me, we are going to re-embrace free enterprise so that everyone can go as far as their talent and their work will take them.
Source: 2016 CBS Republican primary debate in South Carolina
Feb 13, 2016
Ted Cruz:
80-year history of no Supreme Court changes in election year
We have 80 years of precedent of not confirming Supreme Court justices in an election year. We are one justice away from a Supreme Court that will strike down every restriction on abortion adopted by the states. We are one justice away from a
Supreme Court that will reverse one of Justice Scalia's decisions that upheld the right to bear arms. The Senate needs to say, "We're not going to give up the Supreme Court for a generation by allowing Barack Obama to make one more liberal appointee."
Source: 2016 CBS Republican primary debate in South Carolina
Feb 13, 2016
Page last updated: Dec 08, 2018