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Tag: 2016 gop primary debates
Late Night Roundup: Going ‘Wherever’ With Donald Trump

Late Night Roundup: Going ‘Wherever’ With Donald Trump

One subject was the talk of the late night TV shows: Donald Trump’s feud with Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly — and his accusation that she had “blood coming out of her — wherever” at last Thursday’s Republican debate.

Jimmy Fallon performed an impersonation of The Donald, and the explanations he’s given: “Yesterday, I called Megyn Kelly to personally not apologize. When I said blood was coming out of her ‘wherever,’ I obviously meant ‘nose and ears.’ If you think I was talking about something else, you’re a deviant. I was not referring to hormones or menstruation — period.”

Larry Wilmore highlighted Trump’s strong resemblance to a troll doll: “It’s like God bestowed us with this most fantastic troll, to fill the dog days of summer with glorious entertainment.” But after looking at how Trump is still ahead in the polls after the recent display, Larry suddenly had a more serious message: “Okay, America, I am talking to you directly — stop it. Stop it. America, listen to me — stop it.”

Conan O’Brien showed a commercial for a new product: “The Donald Trump Ovulation Test Kit” — and yes, it talks.

Seth Meyers dubbed Trump “The Gift That Keeps on Giving Women the Creeps.” Seth also pointed out that Trump’s comments on women’s health are really serving as an unfortunate distraction — from all the awful things that the other Republicans routinely say about women’s health issues.

The Donald Way Up In Post-Debate Polls — Really!

The Donald Way Up In Post-Debate Polls — Really!

A funny thing happened to Donald Trump after the controversy of his loud, public crass remarks aimed at Fox anchor Megyn Kelly: He’s still blowing the competition right out of the water.

A set of national polls conducted through online panels all show The Donald up, with some variation in the field directly below him — but all with strong showings for other anti-establishment candidates like Ben Carson and Ted Cruz as well — and a lousy time for the main establishment candidate Jeb Bush. In addition, Carly Fiorina seems to be doing quite well, benefiting from a wave of publicity after her impressive performance at the underdogs debate.

The NBC News/SurveyMonkey online poll released Sunday evening has Trump at 23 percent, Cruz with 13 percent, Carson at 11 percent, and 8 percent each for Fiorina and Marco Rubio. (Bush missed out on even the top five, getting 7 percent.) The poll was conducted Friday and Saturday.

Morning Consult has Trump at a whopping 32 percent, way ahead of Bush at 11 percent, Carson with 9 percent, and Rubio and Scott Walker with 6 percent each. The poll was conducted from Friday through Sunday.

The new Reuters/Ipsos poll has Trump with 24 percent among Republicans, Bush at 12 percent, and 8 percent each for Carson, Mike Huckabee, and Rubio. This poll was conducted from Thursday night, post-debate, through early Monday.

Another poll, conducted via phone by Democratic-aligned firm Public Policy Polling, has Trump ahead in the crucial early state of Iowa: Trump 19 percent, Carson and Walker at 12 percent each, Bush 11 percent, and Fiorina 10 percent. The poll was done Friday through Sunday.

Photo: U.S. presidential candidate and businessman Donald Trump answers a question at the first official Republican candidates’ debate of the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign in Cleveland, Ohio, in this file photo taken August 6, 2015. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder/Files)

Exclusive: Trump’s Republican Support Holds Strong Post-Debate — Reuters/Ipsos Poll

Exclusive: Trump’s Republican Support Holds Strong Post-Debate — Reuters/Ipsos Poll

By Andy Sullivan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Republican support for real estate mogul Donald Trump held firm after a televised presidential debate last week in which he feuded with rivals and moderators, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday.

Trump led the party’s 17-strong 2016 presidential field with the backing of 24 percent of Republican voters, the same level of support he earned before Thursday’s debate.

His closest rival, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, trails at 12 percent, down from 17 percent before the debate. No other candidate earned more than 8 percent in the online poll, which was conducted between the end of the debate on Thursday and Sunday.

The reality television star has been under intense criticism for his caustic comments about Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly during and after the debate, and was disinvited from a gathering of conservative activists in Georgia over the weekend after he said Kelly, who helped moderate the debate, had “blood coming out of her wherever.”

Trump has been a focus of controversy since he entered the race for the Republican nomination in the November 2016 election in June.

His harsh comments about Mexican immigrants have drawn widespread condemnation and prompted some business partners to sever ties, while his feud with Arizona Senator John McCain, the party’s 2008 presidential nominee, has angered many Republican party officials.

But the ongoing drama has done little so far to dent Trump’s appeal among less affluent, conservative-leaning voters who say his outspoken style is needed to shake up an overly cautious political system and say his vast personal wealth would help him resist corrupting influences.

The online poll of 278 self-identified Republicans has a credibility interval of 6.7 percentage points.

(Reporting by Andy Sullivan; Editing by James Dalgleish)

Republican 2016 U.S. presidential candidate and businessman Donald Trump reacts near the end of the debate in Cleveland, Ohio, August 6, 2015. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)

Trump Dumped From Conservative Event In Atlanta Over ‘Inappropriate’ Comments

Trump Dumped From Conservative Event In Atlanta Over ‘Inappropriate’ Comments

By Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was dumped from a prime speaking role to an important gathering of conservative activists on Friday for his criticism of Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly after a combustible debate performance.

Trump was scheduled to deliver the keynote address on Saturday night at a conference in Atlanta organized by Red State, an influential conservative group.

Red State chief Erick Erickson said he had disinvited Trump from the event because of what he described as “demeaning” remarks about Kelly who was one of three moderators during the first major Republican debate on Thursday night in Cleveland.

“While I have tried to give him great latitude, his remark about Megyn Kelly was a bridge too far,” Erickson said, adding he had invited Kelly, one of Fox’s highest profile anchors, to attend his conference in Trump’s place.

Trump was unbowed by the dumping.

“This is just another example of weakness through being politically correct,” his campaign said in a statement.

“For all of the people who were looking forward to Mr. Trump coming, we will miss you. Blame Erick Erickson, your weak and pathetic leader. We’ll now be doing another campaign stop at another location.”

During the debate, Kelly asked Trump to respond to derogatory statements he had made in the past about women, calling them “fat pigs” for example. Trump tried to wave off the question and dismissed Kelly during a raucous debate performance.

“And honestly Megyn, if you don’t like it, I’m sorry,” Trump said. “I’ve been very nice to you, although I could probably maybe not be, based on the way you have treated me. But I wouldn’t do that.”

Erickson said in a Facebook statement that in a CNN interview Trump said of Kelly: “You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes. Blood coming out of her wherever.”

“His comment was inappropriate,” said Erickson.

“It is unfortunate to have to disinvite him. But I just don’t want someone on stage who gets a hostile question from a lady and his first inclination is to imply it was hormonal. It just was wrong,” he said.

“He is not a professional politician and is known for being a blunt talker. But there are even lines blunt talkers and unprofessional politicians should not cross. Decency is one of those lines.”

A variety of Republican presidential candidates have been speaking at the Red State gathering in Atlanta and Trump was scheduled for a prominent appearance.

Shortly before Erickson’s statement, Trump’s campaign had just put out a media advisory with the schedule for Trump’s appearance.

The New York billionaire has been riding high in the polls in recent weeks as Republican search for their nominee to face the Democrats’ choice in the November 2016 election.

Carly Fiorina, the business executive who is the only woman running for the Republican nomination and who spoke to Red State on Friday, applauded Trump’s dumping.

“I stand with @megynkelly,” she tweeted.

(Reporting By Steve Holland; Editing by Michael Perry)

Photo: Republican 2016 U.S. presidential candidate businessman Donald Trump speaks during the first official Republican presidential candidates debate of the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign in Cleveland, Ohio, August 6, 2015. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)