Republican Presidential Candidates Confront Growing Fear of Islamic State

Republican presidential candidates are grappling with a presidential debate shifted by growing fear of the Islamic State, with some candidates calling for a ban on Muslim immigration and others criticizing President Obama's approach to the threat. The debate was heightened by the Paris and San Bernardino attacks, with many candidates calling for a stronger military response. President Obama urged Americans to separate the Islamic State from the majority of Muslims who do not share the group's views, saying ISIL does not speak for Islam.

Key Takeaways:

• Carly Fiorina characterized Donald Trump's call for a Muslim ban as "controversial blather" meant to soak up media attention, saying Trump has never been willing to tell what he will do or be held accountable for what he says.
• Fiorina stated that President Obama's response to the Islamic State was to "go into the Oval Office and say nothing new," leaving a feeling of "deep disquiet" among voters.
• Ben Carson called for all-out war against Islamic extremists, saying they pose an existential threat to the U.S. and emphasizing the need to understand what drives them.
• Carson proposed a new system of air raid drills, similar to those conducted during the Cold War, to train citizens on how to react in potential terrorist situations.
• Hillary Clinton stated that the U.S. is "not winning" the battle against the Islamic State under Obama and wants Congress to give the White House broader powers to take the fight to the militant group.
• Trump compared his call for a Muslim ban to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's classification of Japanese and other foreigners as "enemy aliens" during World War II.
• Jim Palmero, a Republican voter, described Trump as an "entertainer" who "takes advantage of the process and people's emotions" with some of his comments being "pretty tough."

Statistics:

• The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the November terror attacks that left 130 people dead in Paris.
• In San Bernardino, Cal., a husband-and-wife team that the FBI said were "radicalized" by the terror group carried out a deadly spree.
• A Gallup poll showed that Carson's standing in the polls plummeted after the attacks, as his one-time supporters expressed concern over his foreign policy heft.

Sources:

• Greg Bluestein and Aaron Gould Sheinin, "Donald Trump's call for ban on Muslims forces Republican Party to confront new terror debate", The Atlanta Journal-Constitution