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Rivals Trade Blows in Republican Debate

Rivals Trade Blows in Republican Debate
Rivals Trade Blows in Republican Debate

The Republican candidates for president traded sharp blows over foreign policy and the future of the Supreme Court in an often unruly and chaotic debate. After Iowa and New Hampshire, the race has now moved to South Carolina before the 20 February primary.

Frontrunner Donald Trump repeatedly tangled with Texas Senator Ted Cruz and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush in a series of tense exchanges, BBC reported.

The lively audience repeatedly jeered and booed the candidates.

As the candidates shouted down and interrupted each other, CBS moderator John Dickerson warned: “We’re in danger of driving this into the dirt.”

Trump pledged to stop using vulgar terms on the campaign trail. He said he would work with Congress to penalize companies that move factories and jobs to Mexico.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio bounced back after stumbling in a previous debate performance and again clashed with Cruz on immigration reform. Rubio said Cruz’s shifting position on immigration was just another example of his dishonesty

Ohio Governor John Kasich continued to push what he sees as a positive campaign message, decrying the sharp attacks of the night.

Trump and Bush clashed over the war in Iraq and former president George Bush’s role during the 11 September attacks. Jeb Bush responded robustly to Trump’s attacks, a departure for the former governor who originally sought a “joyful” campaign.

“We should have never been in Iraq,” Trump said. “They lied. They said there were weapons of mass destruction. There were none and they knew that there were none.”

Financialtribune.com