The most outrageous quotes from the GOP debate

The first primary debate of the US 2016 election campaign aired on Fox News on Thursday night, and as expected, between them the Republican presidential hopefuls managed to drop a fair few clangers.

The ten candidates to grace the debate stage - whittled down from a total of 17 - were decided by the most recent well-respected national polling data. They included Jeb Bush, Mike Huckabee, Rand Paul and of course Donald Trump.

While some of the questioning left something to be desired - "I want to know whether any of them have received a word from God?" - the candidates didn't exactly wow us with oratorical flair or the powers of their logical, reasoned policy ideas...

1. Donald Trump responded to Megyn Kelly's questions about sexism with more sexism

First out of the gate - with a position in the centre of the stage because he'd polled the highest - was property billionaire Donald Trump, who didn't appreciate the line of host Megyn Kelly's questioning when she pointed out his sexist remarks over the years have not just been directed at comedian and presenter Rosie O'Donnell.

The big problem this country has is being politically correct. I don't have time for political correctness... What I say is what I say. And honestly, Megyn, if you don't like it, I'm sorry. I've been very nice to you, although, I could maybe not be based on the way you've treated me — but I wouldn't do that.

2. Actually, Donald Trump managed to insult just about everyone

Trump refused to back down from his previously made incendiary comments characterising Mexican immigrants as criminals and rapists, claiming instead:

Our leaders are stupid. Our politicians are stupid. And the Mexican government is much smarter, much sharper, much more cunning and they send the bad ones over because they don’t want to pay for them. They don’t want to take care of them. Why should they when the stupid leaders of the United States will do it for them? And that’s what’s happening, whether you like it or not.

Pot shots were also taken at the moderators, Obama, George Bush, fellow candidates, bankers and politicians.

3. Ben Carson thinks the Medieval Church had it right on taxes

God’s a pretty fair guy

...he said, talking about the idea of a "tithing" taxation system.

4. Ted Cruz boasted about not supporting amnesty for undocumented immigrants with homes and families in the US

A majority of the candidates on this stage have supported amnesty. I have never supported amnesty, and I led the fight against Chuck Schumer’s gang of eight amnesty legislation in the Senate.

5. Mike Huckabee doesn't think transgender people should serve in the military

The military is not a social experience... The purpose of the military is to kill people and break things.

6. Marco Rubio admitted Hillary Clinton is a better presidential candidate than him

This cannot be a resume competition. Otherwise, Hillary Clinton will win.

7. Rand Paul decided that hugging was on-topic during a spat with Chris Christie over national security

I don’t trust President Obama with our records. I know you gave him a big hug, and if you want to give him a big hug again, go right ahead.

8. John Kasich pulled out the "some of my best friends are gay" card

I just went to a wedding of a friend of mine who happens to be gay. Because somebody doesn’t think the way I do doesn’t mean that I can’t care about them and love them... That’s what we’re taught when we have strong faith. Issues like that are planted to divide us.

9. Mike Huckabee got the word "pimp" into his tax policy plan

The fair tax transforms the process by which we fund Social Security and Medicare, because the money paid around consumption is paid by everybody — including illegals, prostitutes, pimps and drug dealers.

10. Jeb Bush defended his record as a pro-lifer

Florida was the first state to do a ‘Choose Life’ license plate.

Well that clears that up then.

11. Scott Walker said he's so pro-life he'll let women die

When asked whether he would really let a mother die rather than have an abortion, Walker said:

I'm pro-life, I've always been pro-life... I've got a position that's consistent with many Americans out there.

More: The top 10 Republican candidates, in order of crazy