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Trump jolts first debate as rivals vie for attention
By Marc Kovac
CLEVELAND
There were sparks from the start, with billionaire businessman Donald Trump refusing to commit his support to the ultimate Republican presidential nominee (if it’s not him).
He said he’s the guy to tackle the national debt – “They need someone like me to straighten out that mess.”
He stopped short of calling President Barack Obama “incompetent” because, he said, “I don’t want to do that because that’s not nice.”
He also called reporters “dishonest,” took full credit for a growing national discussion on illegal immigration and didn’t mince words explaining the Mexican government’s role in the latter.
“Our leaders are stupid,” Trump said. “Our politicians are stupid. And the Mexican government is much smarter, much sharper, much more cunning, and they send the bad ones over here because they don’t want to pay for them, they don’t want to take care of them. Why should they when the stupid leaders of the United States will do it for them?”
Trump’s candor was met with applause at times, laughter at others and provided ample sound bites during a two-hour, sometimes-raucous debate, with the leading GOP candidates trying to differentiate themselves from one another.
In the crowded field, Trump continued to stand out.
“Donald Trump’s hitting a nerve in this country,” Gov. John Kasich responded after Trump’s explanation on immigration. “... People are frustrated, they’re fed up. They don’t think the government is working for them. And for people that just want to tune out, they’re making a mistake. ... He has his solutions, some of us have other solutions.”
Thursday’s prime-time debate at Quicken Loans Arena, home of the Cleveland Cavaliers, featured the top 10 candidates from a series of national polls.
Kasich snagged the 10th and final spot, outpacing former Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Trump topped the list, followed by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, neurosurgeon Ben Carson, U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and Rand Paul and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
Trump and Bush were front and center on the stage. Kasich was on one end, next to Paul, and received the loudest ovation from audience members during his introduction.
Candidates were limited in their presentations, with one minute to answer questions and 30 seconds for follow-ups. They were asked about a variety of issues over two hours – Common Core, the federal Affordable Care Act, Social Security reform, military spending, tax policy and foreign relations.
Kasich offered a summary version of his Ohio narrative – closing an $8 billion budget shortfall, boosting workforce numbers by 350,000, pumping $2 billion into the state’s rainy-day fund – throughout the night.
He defended his decision to expand Medicaid eligibility in the state.
“I had the opportunity to bring resources back to Ohio, to do what?” he said. “To treat the mentally ill. ... It cost $22,500 a year to keep them in prison. I’d rather get them the medications they need so they can lead a decent life.”
Kasich was asked how he would respond if one of his daughters was gay.
“I’m an old-fashioned person here. I happen to believe in traditional marriage. I also said the court has ruled ... and I said we’ll accept it,” he said. “And guess what? I just went to a wedding of a friend of mine who happens to be gay. Because somebody doesn’t think the way I do doesn’t mean that I can’t care about them. ... If one of my daughters happened to be that, of course I would love them and I would accept them, because you know what? That’s what we’re taught when we have strong faith.”
Kasich also said his candidacy was less about a political campaign and more about a movement to restore common sense and promote economic growth.
“Today, the country’s divided,” he said. “We’ve got to unite our country again. Because we are stronger when we’re united and we’re weaker when we’re divided.”
But the governor was in the background for much of the night, as other candidates garnered questions and attention, particularly Trump.
“I wasn’t sure I was going to get to talk again,” Carson joked at one point after a lull in questions in his direction.
In to Win: Trump was booed by audience members for refusing to offer his support to the ultimate GOP nominee or agree to not run as an independent candidate.
“We want to win, and we will win, but I want to win as the Republican, I want to run as the Republican nominee,” Trump said.
That prompted Paul to break in: “This is what’s wrong. He buys himself politicians of all stripes. ... He’s already hedging his bet on Clinton. ...”
Paul broke into answers several times to counter responses given by other candidates, chastising Trump at one point on his response concerning the Affordable Care Act.
Trump shot back, “I don’t think you heard me. You’re having a hard time tonight.”
There were other fisticuffs. At one point, Christie told Paul he was “blowing hot air.” Paul responded by telling Christie that he fundamentally misunderstood the Bill of Rights.
The Bush Legacy: Bush was asked about his father and brother’s presidencies and how they would affect his candidacy. He cited his record in Florida – $19 billion in tax cuts, balanced budgets and $9 billion in reserves.
“I’m my own man,” he said. “I governed as a conservative. I governed effectively.”
Politically Correct: Trump was asked about disparaging comments he’s made about people.
“I think the big problem this country has is being politically correct,” he said to applause. “I’ve been challenged by so many people, and I don’t frankly have time for total political correctness. ... This country doesn’t have time, either. This country is in big trouble. We don’t win any more. We lose to China, we lose to Mexico... we lose to everybody.”
Abortion: Huckabee suggested a new approach for tackling the abortion issue.
“I think it’s time to do something even more bold [than defunding Planned Parenthood],” he said. “I think the next president ought to invoke the 5th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution. ... It’s time that we recognize the Supreme Court is not the Supreme Being and we change the policy to be pro-life and protect children instead of ripping up their body parts and selling [them].”
Illegal Immigration: Trump was pressed on comments he’s made concerning illegal immigrants, particularly those coming from Mexico.
“We need to build a wall, and it has to be built quickly,” he said. “And I don’t mind having a big beautiful door in that wall so that people can come into this country legally. ... We need to keep the illegals out.”
Ten other Republican debates are scheduled through March 10. The next is set for Sept. 16 in Simi Valley, Calif.