The Last Republican Debate of 2015

The Brian Lehrer Show | Dec 16, 2015

NPR national politics correspondent Mara Liasson and The Atlantic's senior editor David Frum (also a former speechwriter for President George W. Bush) recap 2015's final Republican candidates' debate.

Frum talks about the splintering Republican electorate, saying it's very much divided by class, and those who did not benefit from economic expansion since the end of the recession are angry, pessimistic, and attracted to Trump.

Mara noted that the only candidates who were willing to directly challenge Trump in last night's debate were those in the single-digits in polls: Lindsay Graham, Rand Paul, and Jeb Bush. "They have nothing to lose," she said, adding Graham has "taken on Trump in a way no one else has."

And a tour of candidates' suggestions for how to address ISIS and Putin (Cruz says to "carpet bomb" ISIS to see if "sand glows in the dark;" Trump proposes killing the family members of ISIS terrorists) prompts Brian to ask: "What kind of a Dr. Strangelove world has the mainstream of the [Republican] party entered?"

See Brian's tweets from the night of the debate:

.@BrianLehrer I mean, really. The ONE place to hit a home run.
— jami floyd (@jamifloyd) December 16, 2015

They keep saying "Islamic Terrorism." Why not call it "Unislamic Terrorism" as most Muslims do? BL #RadioTalksGOP #GOPDebate
— Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) December 16, 2015

Cruz smiles at his threat to bomb and find out if sand "glows in the dark" Wolf fails to ask if he meant nukes in #GOPDebate #RadioTalksGOP
— Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) December 16, 2015

Wait. Is Trump actually saying kill terrorists' family members who weren't part of the plot? Do I misunderstand? #GOPDebate #RadioTalksGOP
— Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) December 16, 2015

WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations

WNYC Homepage - Top Stories

Jack Schlossberg, the Kennedy Running for Congress in New York. Plus, the Astronaut Reid Wiseman

The candidate on the role of social media in politics, and speaking out against his cousin R.F.K., Jr. Plus, the commander of NASA’s Artemis II mission on the dark side of the moon.

The New Yorker Radio Hour |

NJ Gov. Sherrill: If state police were too aggressive at Delaney Hall, we'll look into it

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill took call after call Wednesday night from people who told her state police had been overly aggressive in violent clashes with protesters outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention center this weekend.

Ask Governor Sherrill |

I.C.E.'s "Wartime Recruitment" Campaign

Hiring at the highest-funded U.S. law enforcement agency.

On the Media |

Ask the Mayor Recap and More News From City Hall

Elizabeth Kim discusses the issues Mayor Mamdani talked about in his first "ask the mayor" segment.

The Brian Lehrer Show |