Republican Presidential Candidates Respond to Questions of Policy and Faith

Veronica Neffinger | iBelieve Contributor | Updated: Aug 07, 2015

Republican Presidential Candidates Respond to Questions of Policy and Faith

10 Republican presidential candidates vied for viewers’ attention and support yesterday in the first Republican primary debate for the 2016 election.

The 10 candidates on the stage in Cleveland, Ohio answered questions from moderator Megyn Kelly on topics from the Iran nuclear deal, to Planned Parenthood to the role their faith plays in their politics. 

As expected, billionaire businessman and current frontrunner Donald Trump addressed the audience with what The Christian Post has called “a typically erratic performance.” Trump cracked down on “stupid leaders” who he said are sheltering illegal immigrants. 

When criticized by Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on his divisive language and tone, according to Fox News, Trump responded that “We don’t have time for tone.”

Some candidates, including Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, stressed the success and consistency of their economic policies in their respective states. 

The only African-American candidate on stage, Dr. Ben Carson, stressed his professional experience, while, in a debate with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul stood by his views that the government should be less involved in the lives of America’s citizens.

Some candidates vowed to undo what the Obama Administration has done. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio pledged to repeal Obamacare, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz pledged to scrap the Iran nuclear deal, and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee pledged to crack down on Planned Parenthood.

The candidates also responded to questions of faith.

Some candidates, like Gov. Kasich and Sen. Rubio spoke about their belief that America has been blessed as a nation by God and needs to be reminded of its greatness, while Dr. Ben Carson asserted that America needs to stand firm against those who would try to divide it on issues of race. 

In response to the question of whether he believes there is something God wants him to take care of first if he won the presidency, Gov. Scott Walker responded that "I'm certainly an imperfect man. And it's only by the blood of Jesus Christ that I've been redeemed from my sins. So I know that God doesn't call me to do a specific thing, God hasn't given me a list, a Ten Commandments, if you will, of things to act on the first day.What God calls us to do is follow his will. And ultimately that's what I'm going to try to do.”

The other seven Republican presidential candidates also debated yesterday evening at an earlier time.

Publication date: August 7, 2015



Republican Presidential Candidates Respond to Questions of Policy and Faith