Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina drew raves from Republican and conservative observers Wednesday night with her answer to a question that dealt with the debate over funding for Planned Parenthood.
In the second prime-time Republican presidential debate, candidates sparred over whether Republicans in Congress should vote to defund the organization, even if it leads to a government shutdown. Planned Parenthood has come under intense scrutiny after the release of undercover videos that show Planned Parenthood executives discussing using aborted fetuses for research.
Some, including Gov. John Kasich of Ohio, argued that Republicans should wait until 2017 — when a Republican president could take office.
But others, such as Fiorina, said Republicans should take action now — and put the onus on President Barack Obama to veto a government-funding bill that defunds the organization. (The White House formally promised to do so on Wednesday.)
"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. If we will not stand up and force President Obama to veto this bill, shame on us!" Fiorina said, drawing raucous applause.
A sampling of the reaction that followed:
—Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) September 17, 2015
—Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) September 17, 2015
—Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) September 17, 2015
—Mollie (@MZHemingway) September 17, 2015
—Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) September 17, 2015
