Insults and bitter words mark Republican hopefuls’ debate

Trump, the New York billionaire went into the debate with a bit of advantage, having won New Hampshire last Tuesday and holding a big lead in polls in South Carolina scheduled for February 20. 

Instead of basking on his lead, Trump reacted to every comment levelled his way, interrupted his opponents at will and called them liars repeatedly in an emotional outburst that could raise more questions about whether he has the temperament for the White House. His most blistering attacks were against Bush and his brother, former President George W Bush.

It was hard to declare a winner in the debate amid the constant volley of insults, not all of them from Trump. Cruz and fellow Senator Marco Rubio also took pointed jabs at each other over illegal immigration.Trump blasted Bush’s brother for launching the Iraq war in 2003 over claims, later proven false, that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction. Bush, who has wilted in the past under assault from Trump, stood firm this time. 

Trump also was drawn into a fight with Cruz over whether the real estate developer is sufficiently conservative. As they tried to talk over each other, Cruz chided Trump by saying, “Donald, adults do not interrupt each other.”John Kasich, who finished second in the New Hampshire called for calm.