Near the end of the first hour of the CNN Republican Debate, co-moderator Dana Bash fretted to numerous 2016 candidates about the possibility of a federal government shutdown over a conservative effort to defund Planned Parenthood that included her hounding Governor Chris Christie (N.J.) whether or not he would “support the shutdown.”
At the start of the sequence, Bash asked Ohio Governor John Kasich: “Governor Kasich, Senator Cruz is so committed from stripping funds from Planned Parenthood that it could result in shutting down the federal government in just about two weeks. Do you agree with Senator Cruz' tactic?”
After Kasich responded by emphasizing his opposition to the abortion provider but disagreeing with the possible congressional actions, Bash turned to Cruz: “Senator Cruz, I would just add that, on this stage not that long ago, Senator Graham said that this tactic you're pushing would tank the Republicans' ability to win in 2016.”
Shortly thereafter, Bash demanded to know from Christie if he would approve of a shutdown:
Governor, the reality is, in just two weeks time, we are going to be facing a question about whether or not it's enough to shut down the government to make that statement because there is still a Democrat in the White House. Do you oppose or support it?
The pair then engaged in the following back-and-forth:
BASH: Yes or no. Would you support the shutdown?
CHRISTIE: No, no, it's really important, Dana. We got to talk about what we would be willing to shut down for. Why don't we put tax reform on this President’s desk and make him veto it if that’s what he wants to do. Why haven't we repealed and replaced ObamaCare? Make him veto it if that’s what he wants to do.
BASH: We're talking about Planned Parenthood now. Can you answer that –
CHRISTIE: And why don’t we do the same thing with Planned Parenthood? We elected Republican Congress to do this and they should be doing this and they are not and they’re giving the President a pass.
BASH: One more time, I'm sorry, I want to get an answer.
CHRISTIE: I put it in the list, Dana. We should be doing these things that force the President to take action.
BASH: So you would support it thought?
CHRISTIE: Let’s force him to do what he says he’s going to do. Now, I don’t know whether he’d do it or not, but let’s force him to do it.
In a memorable moment capping off the segment, Carly Fiorina became emotional as she decried the horrifying videos that were released by the pro-life group Center for Medical Progress (CMP):
As regard to Planned Parenthood, anyone who has watched this videotape, I dare, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama to watch these tapes. Watch a fully formed fetus on the table, its heart beating, its legs kicking while someone says we have to keep it alive to harvest its brain. This is about the character of our nation, and if we will not stand up and force President Obama to veto this bill, shame on us.
The relevant portions of the transcript from the CNN Republican Debate on September 16 can be found below.
CNN Republican Debate
September 16, 2015
8:56 p.m. Eastern
DANA BASH: Governor Kasich, Senator Cruz is so committed from stripping funds from Planned Parenthood that it could result in shutting down the federal government in just about two weeks. Do you agree with Senator Cruz' tactic?
(....)
BASH: Senator Cruz, I would just add that, on this stage not that long ago, Senator Graham said that this tactic you're pushing would tank the Republicans' ability to win in 2016.
(....)
BASH [TO CHRISTIE]: Governor, I want to go to you, is it what Senator Cruz says, a surrender by Republicans?
(....)
BASH: Governor, the reality is, in just two weeks time, we are going to be facing a question about whether or not it's enough to shut down the government to make that statement because there is still a Democrat in the White House. Do you oppose or support it?
REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE (N.J.): I'll tell you what I'm willing to fight for. Why do we put tax reform on the President's desk? So, we can simplify these taxes-
BASH: Yes or no. Would you support the shutdown?
CHRISTIE: No, no, it's really important, Dana. We got to talk about what we would be willing to shut down for. Why don't we put tax reform on this President’s desk and make him veto it if that’s what he wants to do. Why haven't we repealed and replaced ObamaCare? Make him veto it if that’s what he wants to do.
BASH: We're talking about Planned Parenthood now. Can you answer that –
CHRISTIE: And why don’t we do the same thing with Planned Parenthood? We elected Republican Congress to do this –
CARLY FIORINA: Dana.
CHRISTIE: And they should be doing this and they are not and they’re giving the President a pass.
FIORINA: Dana, I’d like to –
BASH: One more time, I'm sorry, I want to get an answer.
CHRISTIE: I put it in the list, Dana. We should be doing these things that force the President to take action.
BASH: So you would support it thought?
CHRISTIE: Let’s force him to do what he says he’s going to do. Now, I don’t know whether he’d do it or not, but let’s force him to do it.
(....)
FIORINA: As regard to Planned Parenthood, anyone who has watched this videotape, I dare, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama to watch these tapes. Watch a fully formed fetus on the table, its heart beating, its legs kicking while someone says we have to keep it alive to harvest its brain. This is about the character of our nation, and if we will not stand up and force President Obama to veto this bill, shame on us.
