After GOP debate, rivals pile on Rubio
Candidates make last push into N.H. primary
NASHUA, N. H. Republican presidential candidates fanned out across New Hampshire on Sunday following a debate that focused on Marco Rubio’s lack of experience, Chris Christie’s aggressive attacks on Rubio, and a relative lack of criticism of frontrunner Donald Trump.
Christie told Fox News Sunday that Rubio’s awkward responses during Saturday night’s debate — including word-for-word recitations of talking points — underscored his argument that the first-term senator from Florida is simply not ready to take on the Democrats and become president.
“You have to be prepared, you have to be experienced, you have to be ready,” the New Jersey governor said, arguing that he has these qualities and Rubio doesn’t.
On the Democratic side, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who leads former secretary of State Hillary Clinton in recent polls, criticized male supporters who often harass women online, the so-called Bernie Bros, while Clinton visited Flint, Mich., where the water supply has been contaminated by lead and which is the scene of a March debate.
Clinton’s husband, former president Bill Clinton, told USA TODAY after an event in Keene, N.H., that it was ironic that her opponents were calling her a member of the establishment after years of labeling her a liberal extremist.
In television interviews, Sanders referenced Clinton in condemning the influence of corporate money in campaigns and government.
“I have never impugned Secretary Clinton’s integrity,” Sanders told CBS’ Face The Nation. “I like Secretary Clinton. But we have a corrupt campaign finance system.”
Opponents in both parties circulated video of Rubio repeating his claims about President Obama during the debate, enabling Christie and others to argue that he relies on canned, rehearsed sound-bites and speeches.
Trump avoided most of the heat that faced Rubio, and he told CNN’s State of the Union he is “really happy” with the way the debate came out, and said he would do well in Tuesday’s primary because voters have been turned off by the current political establishment.
“These politicians don’t know what to do,” Trump told CNN. “And that’s why the people are on my side.”