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---
title: Republican Debate: Read the Transcript of the CNBC Debate
description: Ten Republican presidential candidates met for a primetime debate in Boulder on CNBC Wednesday night.
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article:published_time: 2015-10-29T00:27:41.000Z
article:modified_time: 2024-01-24T13:21:35.000Z
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og:title: Read the Full Text of the CNBC Republican Debate in Boulder
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![](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt7976c0d1d3b39c47/69886ea0428a9eb763ccfd52/debate-gop3.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)


# Transcript: Read the Full Text of the CNBC Republican Debate in Boulder

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by 

[TIME Staff](https://time.com/author/time-staff/)


## TIME Staff


Updated: Jan 24, 2024 1:21 PM UTCPublished: Oct 29, 2015 12:27 AM UTC

![Republican presidential candidates, from left, John Kasich, Mike Huckabee, Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, Ted Cruz, Chris Christie, and Rand Paul take the stage during the CNBC Republican presidential debate at the Univer](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt7976c0d1d3b39c47/69886ea0428a9eb763ccfd52/debate-gop3.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

Republican presidential candidates, from left, John Kasich, Mike Huckabee, Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, Ted Cruz, Chris Christie, and Rand Paul take the stage during the CNBC Republican presidential debate at the University of Colorado on Oct. 28, 2015, in Boulder, Colo.

Republican presidential candidates, from left, John Kasich, Mike Huckabee, Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, Ted Cruz, Chris Christie, and Rand Paul take the stage during the CNBC Republican presidential debate at the University of Colorado on Oct. 28, 2015, in Boulder, Colo.Mark J. Terrill—AP

by 

[TIME Staff](https://time.com/author/time-staff/)


## TIME Staff


Updated: Jan 24, 2024 1:21 PM UTCPublished: Oct 29, 2015 12:27 AM UTC

Ten presidential candidates met for the third Republican debate in Boulder, Colorado, on Wednesday.

On the main stage debate hosted by CNBC were real estate mogul Donald Trump, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, former HP CEO Carly Fiorina, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

The moderators were CNBC hosts Becky Quick and Carl Quintanilla and Washington Bureau Chief and New York _Times_ columnist John Harwood.

Here is a full transcript of what they said.

---

> “”

---


**Read More:** [_Republicans Rivals Eye Trump Warily Ahead of Third Debate_](http://time.com/4091222/republican-debate-cnbc/)

### See the 2016 Candidates' Campaign Launches

![Sen. Ted Cruz kicks off his campaign for 2016 Republican presidential nominee at Liberty University's Vines Center in Lynchburg, Va. on March 23, 2015. \(](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt551afc8c6ea4f8fa/6987eeff3c16392415455ec3/ted-cruz-2016.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Sen. Ted Cruz kicked off his campaign for 2016 Republican presidential nomination at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. on March 23. Tom Williams—CQ-Roll Call/Getty Images

![Presidential Campaign Launch Rand Paul](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte0b99f5662564e06/6987ee7c55a859ba72a89f5d/2016-presidential-campaign-launch-rand-paul.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul launched his bid for the Republican nomination at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville on April 7\. Supporters held signs with the slogan "Defeat the Washington Machine / Unleash the American Dream." Amy Harris—Corbis

![Presidential Campaign Launch Hillary Clinton](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt4fbb3c3e832eeb57/6987ee7b524fc08078df091e/2016-presidential-campaign-launch-hillary-clinton.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced her campaign in a YouTube video posted April 12 that has been seen nearly 4.5 million times. One boy featured in the video boasted about playing a fish in a school play. Hillary For America


![Presidential Campaign Launch Marco Rubio](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blta066a447d58930b9/6987ee7b5f570f471ab19771/2016-presidential-campaign-launch-marco-rubio.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio announced his campaign for the Republican nomination during a rally at the Freedom Tower in Miami on April 13\. He took a drink of water during the speech, a callback to his State of the Union response in 2013. Wilfredo Lee—AP

![Presidential Campaign Launch Bernie Sanders](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt981ff69b7e266ff0/6987ee7ae53aba45964dbb29/2016-presidential-campaign-launch-bernie-sanders.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders announced his bid for the Democratic nomination across the street from the U.S. Capitol on April 30, 2015\. The backdrop was unusual, since most candidates rail against Washington. Jonathan Ernst—Reuters

![Presidential Campaign Launch Ben Carson](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc7830284938c1119/6987ee7a428a9ee6a5ccb428/2016-presidential-campaign-launch-ben-carson.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson announced his bid for the Republican nomination at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts May 4, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. The launch featured a gospel choir covering Eminem's "Lose Yourself." Bill Pugliano—Getty Images


![Presidential Campaign Launch Carly Fiorina](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt8bcc028959b66f22/6987ee7a0b72e338b36e1e6a/2016-presidential-campaign-launch-carly-fiorina.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina announced her campaign for the Republican nomination in a conference call on May 4, then went on "Good Morning America" to talk to George Stephanopoulos. Lou Rocco—Getty Images

![Huckabee Presidential Campaign Launch](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt553162613a8091dd/6987ee7d3c16391dfa455df4/huckabee-launch.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee announced his campaign at a community college in his hometown of Hope, Ark., on May 5\. Singer Tony Orlando (right) performed. Left: Danny Johnston; Right: Matt Sullivan—Getty Images

![George Pataki Republican 2016](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt96c78b64e6feda6c/69885370e20a87f21fa8bbaa/george-pataki-republican-2016.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Republican presidential candidate and former New York Governor George Pataki (C) greets supporters after formally announcing his candidacy for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in Exeter, N.H. on May 28, 2015. Dominick Reuter—Reuters


![Lincoln Chafee Democrat 2016](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt92e83dcbd6b5183d/69885371cd1bba5a086fbb1d/lincoln-chafee-democrat-2016.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Former Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee announces his candidacy for the democratic presidential nomination at George Mason University in Arlington, Va. on June 3, 2015. Win McNamee—Getty Images

![Lindsey Graham Republican 2016](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltbf0f4b24f3bbcf35/698853712dce0175f49e4119/lindsey-graham-republican-2016.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham announces his 2016 presidential candidacy in Central, S.C. on June 1, 2015. Erik S. Lesser—EPA

![Martin O'Malley Democrat 2016](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt88c0f0b63e16db61/698853720b72e32a6e6e45a1/martin-omalley-democrat-2016.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley is joined by his wife Katie O'Malley (R) as he announces his intention to seek the Democratic presidential nomination during a speech at Federal Hill Park in Baltimore on May 30, 2015. Jim Bourg—Reuters


![Rick Perry Texas Republican 2016](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd037bae0d4c3f685/69885372cd68483b3a0a03c8/rick-perry-republican-2016.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Former Texas governor Rick Perry announces his candidacy for Republican presidential nominee at an event held at Addison Airport in Addison, Texas on Thursday, June 4, 2015. Louis DeLuca—Dallas Morning News/Corbis

![Jeb Bush Campaign Launch](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt14d4f849e8efdea7/698854b58e0601c607460fd2/jeb-bush-campaign-launch1.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush waves on stage as he announces his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination during an event at Miami-Dade College - Kendall Campus in Miami on June 15 , 2015. Joe Raedle—Getty Images

![U.S. Republican presidential candidate Trump holds up his financial statement as he formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination at Trump Tower in New York](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt70d615297862c1d4/698854b8428a9e55a3ccdbb7/donald-trump-2016.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Donald Trump holds up his financial statement showing his net worth as he formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination during an event at Trump Tower in New York City on June 16, 2015. Brendan McDermid—Reuters


![Republican presidential candidate and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in Kenner](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltcb4b2bd93186c87b/69885844524fc07d4edf3492/bobby-jindal-2016.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Republican presidential candidate and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in Kenner, La. on June 24, 2015. Jonathan Bachman—Reuters

![Republican U.S. presidential candidate and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in New Jersey](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt069d1929a0492feb/69885925e20a87094da8c18f/chris-christie3.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Republican presidential candidate and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination during a kickoff rally at Livingston High School in Livingston, N.J. on June 30, 2015. Brendan McDermid—Reuters

![Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker Announces His Candidacy For President](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltba2e584fcb0fbe09/69885ae00b72e3bb846e4e98/scott-walker-campaign-launch.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker greets supporters after announcing that he will seek the Republican nomination for president in Waukesha, Wis. on July 13, 2015 . Scott Olson—Getty Images


![John Kasich 2016](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte1389c1bb40e3544/69885bc8e53abad91c4deb35/john-kasich.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Ohio Governor John Kasich arrives on stage to formally announce his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination during a kickoff rally in Columbus, Ohio on July 21, 2015. Aaron P. Bernstein—Reuters

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