– The Republican presidential debate will be remembered as The Donald Trump show, a fitting if troubling showcase for what the party faces as the attention-grabbing real estate mogul dominates its 2016 campaign.
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I’d like to say that with last night’s ugly performance in the GOP debate, Donald Trump finally went over the line even for his many fans. He also refused to apologize for making crude comments about women, defended his changing policy positions and tangled with the debate moderators.
“Rosie O’Donnell’s disgusting, I mean both inside and out”.
Part of the problem for Trump may have been the debate format itself, which reined in the free-wheeling candidate.
Kasich drew repeated applause, particularly when showcasing his pragmatic approach to divisive social issues.
“He’s already hedging his bets because he’s used to buying politicians”, Paul said, as a raucous crowd of 4,500 egged the candidates on.
But Trump can be discounted as a candidate without looking at the substance.
In a seven-candidate debate before the main event, Carly Fiorina skewered Trump over his ties to Bill and Hillary Clinton and shifts on abortion, immigration and health care without insulting the Trump followers Republicans need.
The argument between the two men showed the tension within the Republican Party. John McCain – will taint the American public’s view of the party.
Ten candidates vying for the Republican presidential nomination debated in Cleveland Thursday, with front-runner Donald Trump coming in for some attacks, but not committing any serious blunders in his first debate.
He faced off with the other presidential hopefuls in his typical manner, with confidence and a straightforward attitude. He was combative and when he found it necessary, called people idiots. It’s an unpopular position among some Republican voters who equate legal status with amnesty.
“I’m going to have to earn this”, said Bush. Commentators said he softened his stance somewhat on Thursday evening.
Paul and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie got into a shouting match at one point over a disagreement on the Patriot Act and the country’s surveillance program – a beef that had been building for weeks.
“For the record”, Kelly said, “it was well beyond Rosie O’Donnell”.
It turns out Trump was right. He broke no new ground in the debate.
Senators Marco Rubio of Florida and Ted Cruz of Texas were among candidates who said they support better control of the border with Mexico.
Paul shot back, “I don’t trust President Obama with our records”.
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It was left to Walker to first mention Clinton’s email habits when answering Russia’s threat to U.S. allies in North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, and that came with just 20 minutes left in the debate.
