GOP GETS RAUCOUS IN PRIME-TIME DEBATE
Trump won’t rule out third-party candidacy and slams culture that’s too ‘politically correct’
Donald Trump declined the chance to rule out a third-party presidential bid during a lively debate Thursday dominated by talk about the billionaire-turned-political phenomenon.
“I will not make the pledge at this time,” Trump said when a moderator asked all 10 Republican candidates if they would forgo an independent bid should they lose the GOP nomination. The only one to refuse, Trump said he has to “respect the person” who prevails, though he added he expects to claim the nomination himself.
Trump’s rise to frontrunner status shadowed a crowded 10man debate that also touched on contentious issues like immigration, health care, Social Security and Medicare spending, and gov- ernment surveillance in counterterrorism investigations.
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul immediately blasted Trump for refusing the invitation to refuse a third-party bid, saying the New York businessman “buys and sells politicians of all stripes,” and has spoken favorably of Bill and Hillary Clinton. Paul and Trump also clashed over health care policy, and at one point the New Yorker told the Kentucky senator, “I don’t think you heard me; you’re having a hard time.”
On another topic, Paul and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie clashed over government surveillance programs. When Christie said Paul’s opposition to certain programs would undercut terrorism investigation, Paul told him “use the Fourth Amendment!” Christie said Paul and like-minded senators are “blowing hot air.”
Aside from Paul, Republican
candidates seemed reluctant to directly criticize Trump.
John Kasich, who as governor of Ohio enjoyed a home court advantage in the Cleveland basketball arena, said Trump is “hitting a nerve in this country,” but his proposed solutions are questionable. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., also said Trump has struck a nerve, though he disputes some of the businessman’s claims about the immigration problem.
Trump, who blasted politicians and reporters throughout the de- bate, replied that he has given money to many of the Republicans on the stage, including Paul. The candidate whose criticism of establishment politicians has rocketed him to the top of Republican polls said at one point that “our politicians are stupid” when it comes to dealing with Mexico and immigration.
Defending his harsh comments about Mexican migrants, Trump told rival Jeb Bush that “we need to build a wall” and “we need to keep illegals out.”
Trump also clashed repeatedly with the three debate moderators from Fox News. When moderator Megyn Kelly asked Trump about disparaging comments he has made about women, the billionaire said the country has had a problem with being too “politically correct.” He also told Kelly: “If you don’t like it, I’m sorry.”
In a separate debate earlier in the afternoon, GOP candidates who did not qualify for the primetime session denounced Trump as a reality television celebrity who has only recently adopted conservative causes.
Businesswoman Carly Fiorina said Trump has shifted positions on illegal immigration, health care and abortion in recent years, and has been friendly with both Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, the frontrunner for next year’s Democratic nomination.
“I didn’t get a phone call from Bill Clinton before I jumped in the race,” Fiorina said, referring to a Washington Post story on Wednesday, which reported of a call between Trump and the former president in May.
Former Texas governor Rick Perry said Trump is “using his celebrity rather than his conservatism,” and noted that he once backed “single payer health care.”
Fox News sponsored the event held at the arena where Republicans will stage their nominating convention next year.
Bush, the former governor of Florida, found himself on the defensive over immigration and education policies that have been criticized by conservatives. The son and brother of previous presidents, Bush also said he understands the concerns about dynastic politics and the prospects of a third Bush family member in the White House. “I’m going to have to earn this,” Bush said.