AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Republican presidential candidate, businesswoman Carly Fiorina, right, speaks as Scott Walker looks on during the CNN Republican presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015, in Simi Valley, Calif.
In the second Republican presidential debate, candidates sparred over whether Republicans in Congress should vote to defund the organization, even if it leads to a government shutdown. Planned Parenthood has come under intense scrutiny after the release of undercover videos that show Planned Parenthood executives discussing using aborted fetuses for research.
Some, like Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R), argued that Republicans should wait until 2017 - when a theoretical Republican president would take office.
But others, like Fiorina, said Republicans should take action now - and put the onus on Obama to veto a government-funding bill that defunds the organization. (The White House formally promised to do so on Wednesday.)
"I dare Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, watch to these tapes. Watch a fully formed fetus on the table, its heart beating, its legs kicking, while someone says, 'We have to keep it alive to harvest its brain.' This is about the character of our nation. If we will not stand up and force President Obama to veto this bill, shame on us!" Fiorina said, drawing raucous applause.
A sampling of the reaction that followed:
Carly just gave an answer about Planned Parenthood that was as good an answer as you will ever, ever, ever see. Amazing. #GOPDebate
Carly Fiorina just burned down the stage guys. #GOPDebate
- Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) September 17, 2015Fiorina is a natural. She has substance and style down. She's going to get a big bounce.
- Noah Rothman (@NoahCRothman) September 17, 2015HOLY CRAP CARLY FIORINA.
- Mollie (@MZHemingway) September 17, 2015Carly Fiorina just won the Planned Parenthood exchange, even stealing Ted Cruz's thunder.
- Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) September 17, 2015