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Basking in the afterglow of her widely praised performance in the “happy hour” Republican presidential debate, Carly Fiorina told Laura Ingraham on Friday that she is poised for a breakout.
The former Hewlett-Packard CEO said 40 percent of Republican voters had not even heard of her before Thursday’s nationally televised debate. With most pundits declaring her the clear winner in the debate among candidates whose standing in the polls was not sufficient to make the prime time confrontation. Fiorina said her challenge is convincing voters that she can do more than put on a good performance.
“I can win this job. And can do this job,” she said.
Democratic pollster Pat Caddell endorsed what rapidly has become conventional wisdom on Fiorina. “Boy, she just blew away the first debate,” he said.
Fiorina quickly turned her sights Friday morning to seizing territory from the pre-debate frontrunners. Even though she was not on the same stage, Fiorina took a pointed shot at Donald Trump. Asked by Ingraham on Friday if her position on immigration was closer to Trump or former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, she said it closer to Trump’s current position. She noted, however, that immigration is one of several issues on which Trump has flip-flopped.
“As I say, Trump was lobbying for amnesty several years ago, but his current view that we have to secure the border, of course, I agree,” she said.
“I’m disappointed when Bush uses the Democrat talking points about women’s health instead of saying what this Planned Parenthood video is, which is an abhorrent example of the disrespect and disregard that some have for others’ lives,” she added.
Fiorina also took shots at the other pre-debate night frontrunner former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. “I have taken issue with Bush on his positions,” Fiorina said specifically highlighting Common Core. “I’m disappointed when Bush uses the Democrat talking points about women’s health instead of saying what this Planned Parenthood video is, which is an abhorrent example of the disrespect and disregard that some have for others’ lives,” she added.
Fiorina said she did not realize how well she had done until after the debate when her aides told her the traction she was getting on social media.
“While you’re on that debate stage, it’s this quiet sort of cold environment,” she said, alluding to the empty sports arena that played host to the first debate. “You’re in this sort of cavernous space so it’s hard to know what’s going on.”
Fiorina now will have to figure out how to translate her performance into the financial backing necessary to run a national campaign. Ingraham asked how she can raise that money while maintaining her independence. She said she has disagreed face-to-face with potential donors.
“I don’t ever promise anybody anything,” he said.
Fiorina said she does not know whether Trump’s current standing means that he has a legitimate shot to win the Republican nomination or whether it is a temporary blip.
“I have a lot of faith in the common sense and good judgment of people,” she said.
Even as she took on Trump on Thursday, Fiorina made clear Friday who the primary target is — Hillary Clinton.
“It’s a fight between conservatism and a Democrat Party that truly is undermining the character of our nation,” she said.
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