Just like he did in the previous Republican undercard debate, Sen. Lindsey Graham stole the show Wednesday evening with his theatrical antics, cracking jokes and making stump speech-like proclamations that often ran over his allotted time.
Among the four bottom-ranking candidates on stage in Boulder, Colorado, Graham generated the most applause and social-media buzz with his comments on foreign policy, immigration, and Hillary Clinton.
At one point, while discussing cybersecurity threats from China, Graham flashed some bravado by showing a fist and an open palm, declaring, “Make me commander in chief and this crap stops!”
Graham also drew rousing applause and laughter when he turned a question about climate change into a mocking rant about the Democratic presidential candidates. “I’m tired of losing,” he shouted. “Good God, look who we’re running against. The No. 1 candidate on the other side [Hillary Clinton] thought she was flat broke after her and her husband were in the White House for eight years,” Graham jabbed. “The No. 2 guy [Bernie Sanders] went to the Soviet Union on his honeymoon and I don’t think he ever came back.”
As for the other three candidates: Bobby Jindal once again failed to distinguish himself in a meaningful way; Rick Santorum furrowed his brow and spoke defensively through most his responses; and George Pataki staked a centrist Republican territory that will likely do nothing to boost his poll numbers.
—Andrew Kirell