--- title: Morning Must Reads: October 29 description: Morning Must Reads: October 29 canonical: https://time.com/4092423/who-won-and-lost-at-the-debate/ author: Zeke Miller article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2015-10-29T12:34:41.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-05-11T05:01:06.515Z article:section: Politics og:title: Morning Must Reads: October 29 og:description: Morning Must Reads: October 29 og:url: https://time.com/4092423/who-won-and-lost-at-the-debate/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltb94d7b20c3726c6f/69886eae3c1639282d45a740/gop-2015-debate-2-election-2016-2.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: GOP 2016 Debate og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Morning Must Reads: October 29 twitter:description: Morning Must Reads: October 29 twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltb94d7b20c3726c6f/69886eae3c1639282d45a740/gop-2015-debate-2-election-2016-2.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Who Won and Lost at the Debate by [Zeke Miller](https://time.com/author/zeke-j-miller/) ## Zeke Miller Oct 29, 2015 12:34 PM 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 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 on Oct. 28, 2015, in Boulder, Colo.Brennan Linsley—AP by [Zeke Miller](https://time.com/author/zeke-j-miller/) ## Zeke Miller Oct 29, 2015 12:34 PM UTC Wednesday night’s CNBC debate in Boulder, Colo., was the night the gloves came off in the GOP. Bush and Rubio ended a months-long détente. Kasich said his rivals can’t do math. Cruz ignored questions about policy to grandstand in a screed against the media. And, for the first time, Donald Trump, the one-time front runner who is slipping in the polls, was largely inconsequential to the proceedings. Here are the winners and losers: _Winners:_ **Marco Rubio** had the breakout moment he’s been waiting patiently for. Gone is the slow-and-steady build-up—he’s ready to become the Bush slayer. Rubio swatted back Bush’s attack on his voting record, sending his former mentor reeling, while parrying a host of contentious questions about his financial situation and preparedness to be president with crowd-pleasing attacks on the media. Already one of the most popular candidates in the race with sky-high favorability numbers, it’s not a question of whether Rubio’s support will grow after this debate—it’s just how high. **Ted Cruz** had been overshadowed by the rise of Trump and Carson in the first two contests this cycle and on Wednesday, he decided it was his time to make his move. Repeatedly criticizing the debate moderators, the conservative firebrand delivered the sort of red meat that the GOP base loves. **Ben Carson** found a target on his back as he rose to the top of the polls, and while he struggled repeatedly to explained his economic plans, he avoided any major missteps. Carson supporters going into the debate had no reason to abandon him, which sometimes is about as good an outcome a candidate can hope for. **Chris Christie** and **John Kasich** have both cast themselves as practical alternatives to Bush this cycle and they each made progress at showing how they could replace him in the GOP’s establishment lane. Christie delivered what amounted to the night’s coup de grâce to Jeb, implicitly criticizing him for wasting time answer a question on fantasy football, while Kasich stole Bush’s thunder in attacking the Carson and Trump economic plans. The challenge for the pair: there is only room for one of them. ### Marco Rubio's Life in Pictures  Marco Rubio and his father outside his parents first home in Miami, Fla., 1972. Courtesy Senator Marco Rubio  Marco Rubio in 6th grade. Courtesy Senator Marco Rubio  Marco Rubio during the Southern Nevada youth football conference, Yesco Cavaliers in Las Vegas, Nev., 1982 Courtesy Senator Marco Rubio  High school photograph of Marco Rubio from his 1989 yearbook. Courtesy South Miami Senior High School  South Miami Senior High yearbook photo of Marco Rubio in 1989. Courtesy South Miami Senior High School  From right Marco Rubio with his mother and sister Veronica during his graduation from the University of Miami law school in 1996\. Veronica graduated from Florida international university bachelor’s degree. Courtesy Senator Marco Rubio  Marco Rubio with his wife, Jeanette and his parents on his wedding day on Oct. 17, 1998. Courtesy Senator Marco Rubio  Jeanette Rubio and Marco Rubio holding their youngest child Amanda Rubio in 2000. Courtesy Senator Marco Rubio  Then representative Marco Rubio talks with a colleague during House session in Tallahassee, Fla., on April 1, 2004\. At age 32, Rubio was one of the youngest legislators. Phil Coale—AP  Marco Rubio greets Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, on his way to being sworn in as the new speaker of the Florida House in Tallahassee, Fla., on Nov. 21, 2006. Steve Cannon—AP  Vice President Joe Biden swears in Senator Marco Rubio to the U.S. Senate, as his wife, Jeanette Rubio looks on, in Washington, on Jan. 5, 2010 . Mary F. Calvert—MCT/Getty Images  Marco Rubio with his son, Anthony Rubio, father, Mario Rubio and daughter Amanda Rubio as he signs election documents officially qualifying him as a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Miami, Fla., on April 27, 2010. Joe Raedle—Getty Images  From left, Marco Rubio, Charlie Crist and Kendrick Meek greet each other before the start of their debate at the studios of WESH-TV in Winter Park, Fla., on Oct. 26, 2010. Joe Burbank—MCT/Getty Images  Then Florida Republican U.S. Senate nominee Marco Rubio celebrates with his family after winning the election in Coral Gables, Fla., on Nov. 2, 2010. Mike Stocker—MCT/Getty Images  Marco Rubio and his sons Anthony, 5, right, and Dominic, 3, make their way to a swearing in ceremony for the 112th Congress in the Old Senate Chamber in Washington on Jan. 5, 2011. Tom Williams—Roll Call/Getty Images  Senator Marco Rubio during a visit to the El Paso sector of the United States/Mexico border on Nov. 4, 2011. Courtesy Senator Marco Rubio  Senator Marco Rubio greets fans and signs copies of his book "An American Son" at Books and Books in Coral Gables, Fla., on June 30, 2012. Aaron Davidson—Getty Images  Former Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks with Senator Marco Rubio while flying from Pensacola to Orlando, Fla., on Oct. 27, 2012. Emmanuel Dunand—AFP/Getty Images  Senator Marco Rubio listens to a question alongside Senator John McCain, Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Robert Menendez and Senator Dick Durbin during a press conference on an agreement for principles on comprehensive immigration reform framework at the US Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 28, 2013. Saul Loeb—AFP/Getty Images _Didn’t win, Didn’t lose:_ **Carly Fiorina** had a star moment after the second debate, but couldn’t repeat the performance in Boulder as her polling bubble burst. But she largely withstood attacks on her record and reminded GOP voters why they liked her: because she’s a potent critic of **Hillary Clinton**. _Losers_ **_:_** **Jeb Bush** called on Marco Rubio to resign for missing his day job in Washington, only to have his attack thrown in his face. The one-time front-runner needed to send a signal to wary donors and voters that he still wants to be a candidate after sounding increasingly defeatist on the campaign trail. He leaves the debate even worse than he entered and his rivals emboldened by his performance. **Donald Trump** dominated the first two debates, but proved to be a non-factor Wednesday night, fading into obscurity as his opponents on stage shined. Coming on the heels of his declining poll numbers, the performance provided a taste of what the GOP race might look like without Trump—and GOP voters may have liked what they saw. **Rand Paul** had spent the weeks going into the debate arguing that his campaign wasn’t going away, despite poor fundraising, high spending and anemic poll numbers, but when it came to the debate stage, but that didn’t come through on stage. He spoke even less than Bush, and when he did, decided to argue with the moderators for time. Adding insult to injury, he even found his family’s signature issue—auditing the Fed—co-opted by Cruz. A one-time evangelical darling, **Mike Huckabee** found his entitlement proposals under assault and his lane dominated by Cruz and Carson. Largely disappearing on stage, he too struggled with the moderators for time, and when he had it, did little with it. **The moderators:** After a chaotic debate in California last month, the candidates learned they could simply ignore time constraints without consequence. In Colorado, the CNBC panel found itself overwhelmed by emboldened candidates and underprepared for them to challenge the premise of contentious candidates. The result was the most tumultuous debate of the cycle, rather than the substantive policy debate the network had telegraphed. **Meanwhile in Washington**, Speaker of the House **John Boehner** will turn over the gavel to **Paul Ryan,** who will make the case that it’s a “new day” in Congress, signaling to frustrated conservative members that things will be different under his leadership without insulting the controversial outgoing leader. Here are your must-reads: **Must Reads** [How Jeb Bush Lost the Debate ](http://time.com/4092125/republican-debate-jeb-bush-lost/)He fell into Rubio’s obvious trap \[TIME\] [What You Missed While Not Watching the Third Republican Debate in Colorado ](http://time.com/4092163/republican-debate-colorado-cnbc/)TIME’s Michael Scherer’s minute-by-minute breakdown [John Boehner Gives His Exit Interview ](http://time.com/4091874/speaker-john-boehner-exit-interview/)The outgoing Speaker reflects on his time in Washington to TIME’s Jay Newton-Small [How Bernie Sanders Evolved on Gay Marriage ](http://time.com/4089946/bernie-sanders-gay-marriage/)He’s long opposed anti-gay laws, but he was not an advocate for gay marriage until recently, TIME’s Sam Frizell writes [Protesters at Donald Trump Rallies Face Increasing Violence ](http://time.com/4090437/donald-trump-violence-protests-republican-debate/)TIME’s Tessa Berenson on heightened tensions at Trump events **Sound Off** “You find me a Democrat that’s for cutting spending $10, I’ll give them a warm kiss.” — Bush at the CNBC debate, asked whether he’d accept a fiscal deal that cut spending and raised taxes at a 10-1 ratio “I’m not running against Governor Bush. I’m not running against anyone on this stage. I am running for President” — Rubio throwing Bush’s attack on his voting record in his face BONUS: “There’s no need to pile on Gov. Bush after his performance tonight. Their exchange speaks for itself.” Rubio campaign manager Terry Sullivan twisting the knife to reporters after the debate **Bits and Bites** [Bernie Sanders Proposes Removing Marijuana From Federal Drug List](http://time.com/4091857/bernie-sanders-marijuana-from-federal-drug-list/) \[TIME\] [Here’s What Democratic Operatives Thought of the Republican Debate](http://time.com/4092161/republican-debate-democratic-operatives/) \[TIME\] [Candidates Fail to Catch Fire at Third Republican Undercard Debate](http://time.com/4091807/republican-debate-undercard-cnbc/) \[TIME\] [Hillary Clinton Backs Use of Death Penalty](http://www.wsj.com/articles/hillary-clinton-backs-use-of-death-penalty-1446062646) \[Wall Street Journal\] [Reince Priebus Follows Candidates in Criticizing Debate Moderators](http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/10/28/reince-priebus-follows-candidates-in-criticizing-debate-moderators/) \[New York Times\] [Rubio Avoids Attacking Bush on Morning Shows](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/10/29/rubio-avoids-attacking-bush-on-morning-shows/) \[Washington Post\] ### See the 2016 Candidates Looking Very Presidential  Sen. Ted Cruz is surrounded by stars and stripes at the 2014 Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C. on September 26, 2014. Mark Peterson—Redux  Hillary Clinton Hillary Clinton gazes pensively into the distance at Iowa Senator Tom Harken'a annual Steak Fry in Indianola, Iowa on September 14, 2014. Brooks Kraft—Corbis for TIME  Jeb Bush Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush flashes a power watch before giving his keynote address at the National Summit on Education Reform in Washington on Nov. 20, 2014. Susan Walsh—AP  Bernie Sanders waves to supporters after officially announcing his candidacy for the U.S. presidency during an event at Waterfront Park in Burlington, Vermont, on May 26, 2015. Win McNamee—Getty Images  Chris Christie New Jersey Governor Chris Christie strikes a presidential power stance at the ceremony for the opening of the 206 bypass in Hillsborough, New Jersey on October 28, 2013. Mark Peterson—Redux  Former Hewlett-Packard Co Chief Executive Officer Carly Fiorina listens to her introduction from the side of the stage at the Freedom Summit in Des Moines, Iowa on Jan. 24, 2015. Jim Young—Reuters  Rand Paul Sen. Rand Paul works a crowd during a campaign stop on October 24, 2014 in McDonough, Georgia. Jessica McGowan—Getty Images  Rick Perry Texas Gov. Rick Perry looks powerfully patriotic during the National Anthem before an NCAA college football game on Nov. 27, 2014, in College Station, Texas. David J. Phillip—AP  Bobby Jindal Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal looks to the future during The Family Leadership Summit on Aug. 9, 2014, in Ames, Iowa. Charlie Neibergall—AP  Martin O'Malley Maryland Governor Martin OíMalley ponders decorating ideas in front of his possible future home on CBS's Face the Nation on Feb. 23, 2014. Chris Usher—AP  Marco Rubio Sen. Marco Rubio looks determined the morning after the State of the Union address in Washington, D.C. on January 29, 2014. Melissa Golden—Redux  Ben CarsonBen Carson at the Conservative Political Action Committee annual conference on March 8, 2014. Susan Walsh—AP  Jim Webb Retiring Sen. Jim Webb imitates the presidential wave during a rally in Virginia Beach, Va. on Sept. 27, 2012. Steve Helber—AP  John Kasich Ohio Gov. John Kasich practices his presidential victory pose at the Ohio Republican Party celebration on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, in Columbus, Ohio. Tony Dejak—AP  Rick Santorum Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum looks resolute at CPAC, the Conservative Political Action Conference on March 7, 2014. Brooks Kraft—Corbis  Scott Walker Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker practices the presidential point on March 3, 2014 in Milwaukee. Jeffrey Phelps—AP  Mike Huckabee Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee fine-tunes his presidential oratory at the Conservative Political Action Committee annual conference in National Harbor, Md. on March 7, 2014. Susan Walsh—AP  Lincoln Chafee, Former Rhode Island Governor, poses for a selfie with a student after announcing he will seek the Democratic nomination for president in Arlington, Va. on June 3, 2015. Jonathan Ernst—Reuters  Lindsey Graham Lindsey Graham announced his plans to join the 2016 presidential race. Alex Wong—Getty Images  George Pataki Former New York governor George Pataki listens to a question at the First in the Nation Republican Leadership Conference in Nashua, New Hampshire, in this April 17, 2015 file photo. 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