Women weigh in on Republican candidates’ second debate

Women voters weighed in on the second showdown between Republican candidates Wednesday as they compete for the party’s coveted nomination.

El Paso County Republicans gathered at the Airplane Restaurant on Colorado Springs’ east side to watch the candidates face off. Of the 40 people gathered, about half were women, a group these GOP candidates are trying particularly hard to impress.

Females voters across the U.S. will play a critical role in determining who wins the Republican nomination and also who wins the White House.

Becca Keating and Pamela Bartol said they had their favorite candidates going into the debate, but they were open to hear what others had to say.

The two noted there were particular things they would be watching for.

“I think that’s what we need is someone who will pull us together as a country and not divide us,” said Keating.

“We need a leader who can inspire us to follow him. Because if we can follow him, unity will bring our country back to where it needs to be,” said Bartol.

Karen Bugatti watched the debate from a corner booth with a glass of wine. She reacted strongly to questions about the Iran Nuclear Deal, relations with Russia and controversy surrounding a Kentucky county clerk refusing to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples. However, she said she’s not ready to choose a candidate.

The candidates battled it out on stage for three hours, answering questions and skirting around others. They took jabs at each other, especially Republican front-runner Donald Trump.

At the end of the debate, Bartol, who went in favoring Dr. Ben Carson, was impressed by CarlyFiorina’s performance.

“I was astonished to see Carly Fiorina slam everyone to the floor. Especially in regards to her prowess and the Iraq/ISIS Crisis,” said Bartol.

Keating also liked what she saw from Fiorina, as well as Carson. Still, she said she was disappointed that the debate centered around bashing each other instead of informing voters about their stance on different platforms.

“It seemed more like a brawl to me. They said this, they said that. It seems like they tried to defend the comments rather than the issues,” said Keating.

Bugatti said in her mind, there was no clear winner. She said she’ll have to wait until more candidates drop of out the race before she can zero-in on the candidate she’d like to see represent the GOP in the 2016 presidential race.

CNN will host the first debate between democratic candidates on Oct. 13th.