‘RUDE REPUBLICANS!’ CNN Asks Focus Group of GOP Voters To Make Up Headlines For Fox Debate

A CNN focus group gave some pretty negative headlines and one less-than-catchy positive one when asked to sum up the second Trump-less Republican presidential primary debate.

Seven qualifying candidates took the stage Wednesday night for the second GOP debate, this time airing on Fox Business Network and once again proceeding without the Republican frontrunner, ex-President Donald Trump. Coverage of the event focused on the chaos and a handful of one-liners — some more successful than others.

CNN’s post-debate coverage included a Gary Tuchman-led focus group of voters in Nevada, Iowa who were asked to spitball headlines for the event, and offered up some doozies:

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, we’re 110 days away from the first nominating caucuses, here in the state of Iowa, and we have come back to the Hawkeye State to talk to Iowa voters, who we watched the debate with.

And we’re actually in the same county we were in last month watching that debate, Story County, home of Iowa State University. We have some Iowa State people here. Because we want to see how their thoughts compare today to how they compared to last month.

It’s nice to be here with you again. In tonight’s debate, it’s nice to be here with you. Thank you for inviting us.

First thing — first thing I want to ask you, if you had to write a headline about this debate, what would your headline be?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: “Republicans angry that they agree with each other.”

TUCHMAN: OK. You’re talking about the commotion there. Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I’d say “really good night for the free marketplace of ideas in the GOP.”

TUCHMAN: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: “Rude Republicans!”

TUCHMAN: Rude Republicans.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

TUCHMAN: So the commotion, the chaos bothered you during the debate? Raise your hand if it bothered you. Raise your hand if it was OK.

(one person says it was ok)

OK. You’re a lone opinion right there.

Watch above via CNN’s “The Republican Presidential Debate: Post Debate: Analysis.”