Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

More from First Republican debate of the 2016 presidential election

Politics
It was brutal to be in the “kids’ table” debateIt was brutal to be in the “kids’ table” debate
Politics

There was little consolation in the debate for seven candidates who didn’t make the main GOP debate showdown Thursday.

By Jonathan Allen
Politics
The first GOP debaters were asked to describe Hillary Clinton in two words. They... didn’tThe first GOP debaters were asked to describe Hillary Clinton in two words. They... didn’t
Politics

“Not the change we need at a time we need it.”

By Andrew Prokop
Politics
This sad screencap sums up the afternoon debate for the bottom 7 GOP candidates in pollsThis sad screencap sums up the afternoon debate for the bottom 7 GOP candidates in polls
Politics

Practically nobody was in the audience.

By Andrew Prokop
Politics
Carly Fiorina was the clear winner of Fox News’s first debateCarly Fiorina was the clear winner of Fox News’s first debate
Politics

Fiorina was, by far, the most impressive candidate on the stage.

By Ezra Klein
Politics
Here’s your official Vox bingo card for the Republican debateHere’s your official Vox bingo card for the Republican debate
Politics

Just imagine the free space says “Reagan.”

By Dara Lind and Christophe Haubursin
Politics
The one thing I’ll be watching for in the first Republican presidential debateThe one thing I’ll be watching for in the first Republican presidential debate
Politics

Will Scott Walker throw some punches?

By Matthew Yglesias
Politics
No, Fox News didn’t rig its debate rules to help its favorite candidates get inNo, Fox News didn’t rig its debate rules to help its favorite candidates get in
Politics

It did leave out one of the most recent five polls — for a good reason.

By Andrew Prokop
Politics
Don’t dismiss tonight’s GOP debate — history says it’s likely to change many mindsDon’t dismiss tonight’s GOP debate — history says it’s likely to change many minds
Play
Politics

General election debates don’t matter. Primary debates do.

By Matthew Yglesias
Politics
How to watch the Republican debate tonightHow to watch the Republican debate tonight
Politics

There aren’t too many options.

By Andrew Prokop
archives
The neckwear primary: our ultimate graphical guide to the ties of the GOP debateThe neckwear primary: our ultimate graphical guide to the ties of the GOP debate
archives

A visual guide to all the ties of the Republican debates

By Matthew Yglesias and Javier Zarracina
Turns out primary debates matter way more than the generals
Video

Even though the generals get all the attention, the primaries are where the action actually happens.

By Johnny Harris