Cruz accused Rubio of distorting his record, and — a harsher charge — empowering the Obama administration’s mission.
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“You disagree because he’s too broad and you have a narrower focus?” asked the host, hinting at a Senate bill Cruz introduced that he said is “more narrowly focused”.
Cruz surged to 14 per cent, with 10 per cent for Rubio and nine percent for retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson. Rubio dismissed that plan by saying that doing so “is not to lead at all”.
Rubio defended the collection of metadata from USA citizens and lashed out at Cruz for supporting restrictions this year.
The two also squared off over Trump being targeted. They’re not coming into this country, and if I’m president and if Obama has brought some to this country, they are leaving. Former Florida governor Jeb Bush called him a “chaos candidate” and said it is not a serious proposal. Then came a punch: “Donald is great at one-liners, but he’s a chaos candidate and he’d be a chaos president”.
When Trump complained that the CNN moderators were trying to entice candidates into attacking him, Bush said “this is a tough business, running for president”.
“That is a judgement for every voter to make”, Cruz said.
Trump’s reaction was to remind Bush of the wide gulf between them in preference polls.
Senator Rand Paul, who has been struggling to revive his flailing presidential campaign, compared Trump to totalitarian rulers because he supports monitoring the Internet for suspicious activity.
Throughout the evening, Bush and Trump engaged in several heated exchanges, often talking over one another in an attempt to gain the upper hand.
The two senators – both Cuban-Americans in their 40s – have been sparring from afar for weeks, and their rivalry could become one of the dominant forces in the race as the first voting contests in February draw near.
He followed by reiterating his belief that Trump is not a serious candidate. “This is a radical jihadist group that is increasingly sophisticated, we are at a time when we need more tools, not less tools”, said Rubio. That can lead our country to safety and security.
Rubio argued for a strong military response but scoffed at Trump’s call for a ban on Muslim immigration, which he said “isn’t going to happen”. Carson said he’d be “tough, resolute and understanding what the problems are”.
Another dynamic in Tuesday’s debate involves Cruz and Florida Sen.
That was before Cruz surpassed Trump in Iowa polls, thus making him a target for the Donald, who threw a few barbs toward the senator over the weekend.
“They are longtime friends”, said Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks, via email.
For Chris Christie, the main debate marks a moment of redemption.
Trump will find himself playing defense during the debate.
“I’ve gained great respect for the Republican leadership”, he said. “I’m honored to be the front-runner”.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
“I am totally committed to the Republican Party”.
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Trump’s success even as the primary elections draw closer has rattled many in the GOP establishment, who are concerned he may either win the nomination or mount a third party presidential bid.
