Front-running Donald Trump began the second Republican presidential debate with a bang, throwing barbs in all directions, but was quiet for long stretches as 10 fellow candidates for next year’s presidential nomination bore down on serious issues.
Standing at center stage, Trump declared that he had a “phenomenal temperament” and a record in business that would help him on the world stage.
The billionaire businessman’s temperament was again up for discussion during Wednesday night’s marathon debate. Trump has made a series of incendiary comments about women and Hispanic immigrants and remains a long-shot candidate for the White House.
Photo: Reuters
Trump’s unexpected rise and surprising durability is seen as a reflection of voters’ frustration with Washington and career politicians.
He drew a heavy challenge from another Washington outsider with a business background: former Hewlett-Packard chief executive officer Carly Fiorina, the only Republican woman in the race.
Fiorina earned praise for her debut performance in the party’s main debate, commanding the three-hour event’s first half — when the television audience was likely the most engaged.
Trump has become increasingly critical of Fiorina as her standing has risen.
Fiorina drew the night’s first loud ovation when asked about Trump’s earlier denigration of her looks, which he later denied was a reference to her appearance.
“I think women all over this country heard very clearly what Mr Trump said,” Fiorina said.
“She has got a beautiful face, and she is a beautiful woman,” Trump retorted.
Trump’s climb to the top of the field has unnerved Republican leaders, who fear the former reality TV star is damaging the party’s brand and imperiling its chances of winning back the White House after US President Barack Obama’s eight-year tenure ends.
Trump has so far been immune to criticism for his lack of specific policy proposals, his caustic rhetoric and his uneven support of conservative principles.
He has been unpredictable, as he was in the first moments of the debate: Unprompted, Trump declared that fellow candidate Rand Paul should not even be on the stage.
The clash that signified the broader battle within the party was between Trump and former Florida governor Jeb Bush, the son and brother of former presidents who, more than any other candidate, is seen as a representative of the Republican establishment.
Bush entered the debate facing questions about whether he had the grit to take on Trump. In the debate’s early moments, Bush tried to challenge Trump directly, but was repeatedly interrupted.
As Bush tried to finish an answer, Trump chimed in: “More energy tonight, I like that.”
Trump’s jab was a reference to his frequent critique that Bush is a “low energy” candidate.
Bush said Trump needed to apologize for bringing his wife, a US citizen born in Mexico, into a political debate. Trump has suggested Bush is too soft on immigration in the US because of his wife.
Trump refused to apologize, stood by his criticism of Bush for answering some questions on the campaign trail in Spanish and called Bush “weak on immigration.”
Trump said people in the US should speak English.
US Senator Marco Rubio jumped in and said it is important to speak Spanish to communicate with immigrants who might become Republican voters — highlighting a priority for a party that has overwhelmingly lost the rapidly growing Hispanic vote in recent presidential elections.
Rubio reminded voters about his personal story, including his parents’ move to the US from Cuba. He recounted his grandfather, whose English was shaky, but who idolized former US president Ronald Reagan, the namesake of the presidential library that hosted the debate.
When Trump said he was the only one on the stage to oppose the 2003 war in Iraq, Bush seized the opportunity to outline some of his foreign policy plans — and defend his brother, former US president George W. Bush.
Jeb Bush stopped cold and looked directly at Trump, saying: “You know what? As it relates to my brother, he kept us safe.”
The line earned Jeb Bush some of his biggest applause of the event.
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