Watch: Cruz Kicks off Debate With Massive Shot at Obama; Trump Excels, Doubles Lead

By B. Christopher Agee. Thursday’s GOP economy-focused presidential primary debate, hosted by the Fox Business Network, sought to get Sen. Ted Cruz’s take on Barack Obama’s final State of the Union address. Specifically, moderator Maria Bartiromo wanted to know what differences Cruz had with the optimistic economic picture Obama painted during Tuesday’s speech.

Saving his direct answer for the latter portion of his response, however, Cruz used the opportunity to address a pressing issue Obama’s address completely ignored.

“Today,” he said, “many of us picked up our newspapers and we were horrified to see the sight of 10 American sailors on their knees with their hands on their heads.”

@tedcruz talking about the #sailors that #Obama didn't care about during his #SOTU address. #IranDeal #CruzCrew pic.twitter.com/idwFIu1hpn

— Kenny (@KennyW_NLR) January 15, 2016

Referring to the ships seized by Iranian forces earlier this week, Cruz lamented that Obama “didn’t so much as mention” their plight during his speech even as nine men and one woman remained in custody. He also noted that the act came just days before a deal is set to go into effect that would lift sanctions with Iran, releasing more than $100 billion.

Though the situation is “heartbreaking,” Cruz noted that “the good news is the next commander in chief is standing on this stage.”

If he is successful in his White House bid, the Texas legislator gave his word that “no serviceman or service woman will be forced to be on their knees.” (Read more from “Watch: Cruz Kicks off Debate With Massive Shot at Obama, Makes Powerful Vow to America” HERE)

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Trump’s Lead Over Cruz Doubles in Latest Poll

By Mark Murray. Donald Trump has more than doubled his national lead in the Republican presidential race ahead of Thursday night’s GOP debate here, according to the results from a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.

Trump is the first choice of 33 percent of national Republican primary voters – his highest percentage in the poll. He’s followed by Ted Cruz at 20 percent, Marco Rubio at 13 percent and Ben Carson at 12 percent. Chris Christie and Jeb Bush are tied at five percent. No other Republican presidential candidate gets more than 3 percent.

Trump’s 13-point lead over Cruz is an increase from last month, when he held a five-point advantage over the Texas senator, 27 percent to 22 percent. (Read more from this story HERE)

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