Front-runner Donald Trump ran away with one big win in Wednesday's second GOP presidential debate: airtime.
Debate rules gave each candidate one minute to answer questions and 30 seconds to respond if mentioned by another candidate. Moderator Jake Tapper opened the debate saying he would attempt to give all 11 candidates on the main stage equal time, but admitted it might be difficult.
National Public Radio tallied the amount of airtime each candidate actually ended up with after the three-hour debate was over. Here are the results:
- Donald Trump: 18:47
- Jeb Bush: 15:48
- Carly Fiorina: 13:30
- Ben Carson: 12:56
- Chris Christie: 12:36
- Marco Rubio: 11:21
- Ted Cruz: 10:45
- Rand Paul: 10:28
- John Kasich: 9:44
- Mike Huckabee: 9:20
- Scott Walker: 8:29
Things weren't even at the afternoon debate for the lower-tier candidates either:
- Lindsey Graham: 19:47
- Rick Santorum: 15:38
- Bobby Jindal: 13:06
- George Pataki: 10:58
According to NPR, Trump also had the most airtime at the first debate on Fox News Channel on August 6. Trump got about 10 minutes and 30 seconds in that debate followed by Jeb Bush at 8:33. Rand Paul came in last at 4:51.
Watch Newsmax TV GOP Debate Special starting tonight at 10 pm ET with exclusive commentary and analysis from Dr Ben Carson, Michael Reagan and Dick Morris.
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