With 15 candidates on the debate stage Sept. 16, divergent views exceeded harmonious ones and kept businesses uncertain about the implications of a Republican White House in 2017.

1. U.S. election 2016 - Debate wrap
Analysts: Julie Chariell, Rob Barnett, Cheryl Wilson, Caitlin Webber,
Tiffany Young, Nathan Dean, Dan Barry, Brian Rye, Brad Barker & Nick Taborek

2. GOP’s business platform still hard to define
after second debate

3. With 15 candidates on the debate stage Sept. 16, divergent views
exceeded harmonious ones and kept businesses uncertain about
the implications of a Republican White House in 2017.
A few areas of consensus define the most likely policy shifts,
including increased defense and border spending, environmental
de-regulation, Obamacare repeal and, by the fact it wasn’t
debated, more limited financial reform. Still, the candidates differ
on approaches to taxation, China, the Iran Nuclear deal and
marijuana legalization.

4. Republican president would likely reverse
Obama energy policies

5. Oil, natural gas and coal producers may see a more favorable
political climate under a Republican president.
Whether considering climate-change rules, the Keystone pipeline or
oil exports, the field of Republican candidates say they would reverse
course on many policies supported by President Barack Obama.
Other than a brief discussion of climate-change regulations toward
the end of the Sept. 16 Republican presidential debate, U.S. energy
and environmental policies were barely discussed.

6. Iran deal as target of GOP presidential hopefuls highlights risk

7. The second Republican presidential debate showed the
political risks companies face if they become early entrants in
a post-nuclear-deal Iran. With the exception of Ohio Governor
John Kasich, the party’s leading contenders said they would exit
the deal and reimpose sanctions if elected.
Renewing U.S. sanctions waived under the deal would raise the
specter of punitive fines and restricted access to the U.S. banking
system for global energy and financial-services companies that
have invested in Iran.

8. Carried interest tax benefit will be at risk starting in 2017

9. Private-equity and hedge-fund managers may face a $17.7 billion
tax increase over 10 years on their carried interest income whether
a Democrat or a Republican becomes president in 2017.
Donald Trump, currently the leading Republican presidential
candidate, repeated his support for raising taxes on carried
interest during the Sept. 16 Republican debate.
Republican candidate Jeb Bush and three out of five Democratic
candidates, including Hillary Clinton, have also said they support
such a tax increase.

11. Dearth of Dodd-Frank in debate doesn’t mean repeal drive’s end

12. Dodd-Frank repeal remains an important topic for Republican
presidential candidates despite limited mentions in the party’s second
debate.
Several candidates, including Senators Marco Rubio and Lindsey
Graham, have said they would repeal or tweak the financial regulation.
Candidates are concerned with the rule’s impact on small community
banks and access for small business capital.
While no one pushed a proposal during the Sept. 16 debate,
candidates may announce more specific policies as campaigns
progress.

13. Republican presidential candidates committed to
Obamacare repeal

14. The 11 candidates in the second major Republican presidential debate
have expressed support for repealing the Affordable Care Act in its
entirety, though only a few have offered specific replacement plans.
An issue that wasn’t discussed in the Sept. 16 debate -- prescription
drug prices -- could very well surface as a topic in the first Democratic
debate on Oct. 13, as candidate Bernie Sanders supports legislation
giving the federal government price-negotiation authority for
Medicare’s prescription drug program.

15. Republican candidate border-spending push may
aid surveillance

16. Republican presidential candidates continued emphasizing the need
for increased spending on border security, drones and fingerprinting
technology during their Sept. 16 debate.
The high cost of deporting undocumented immigrants and building
a wall would likely temper proposals for a large influx of spending on
a border wall or high-tech surveillance.
Contractors with existing border-surveillance and electronic-
verification projects could gain incremental revenue from a
Republican White House win in 2016.

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