4 takeaways from Thursday’s GOP Debate

Seven Republican presidential hopefuls assembled at the Quicken Loans Arena for the first of two GOP debates Thursday evening, but one candidate was not like the others.

“I mean, this is what’s wrong”. “He buys and sells politicians of all stripes”.

Senator Rand Paul accused Donald Trump of “already hedging his bets because he’s used to bu …” Rand Paul for opposing bulk collection of phone data by the NSA.

The ever-unapologetic Trump then chastised the country for being too “politically correct”.

“A problem-solver that isn’t a career politician is something that’s appealing to many people”, said Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican.

Republican strategist Katie Packer said the smart strategy is to steer clear of the mud-slinging Trump.

Trump quickly responded: “Only Rosie O’Donnell”.

Kasich drew repeated applause, particularly when showcasing his pragmatic approach to divisive social issues.

On his remarks about Mexico sending criminals to the U.S., he said, “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t even be talking about illegal immigration”.

“When I was 21, my mom died”. His stance on what to do about the millions of undocumented immigrants in the country has dogged Bush. The lower tier of presidential contenders had their brief moment in the sun earlier Thursday at a debate in which Carly Fiorina delivered a memorable and polished performance.

Flanked by nine rivals who trail him in the polls, the real estate mogul immediately set himself apart when he was the only candidate on stage to refuse to pledge that he would back the Republican nominee and not run for president as an independent if he loses the party primary.

Now let us see if it is reflected in any polls or if most of the regular folk couldn’t free themselves up in time for the earlier debate.

Paul – the biggest attack dog against Trump so far – jumps in: “Newsflash – the Republican Party has been fighting against a single payer health system for a decade”.

Donald Trump has started the Republican presidential debate by describing comedian Rosie O’Donnell as a “fat pig” and a “slob”.

“What I say is what I say”, said Trump, who is leading the sprawling Republican field of 17 candidates. We want to win and we will win.

A Bloomberg survey released Tuesday had Trump at 21%, handing him a double-digit lead over both Bush, who was at 10%, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who was at 8%.

“You’d better believe it”, Trump said.

At one point, the debate stage turned into a boxing ring between Christie and Paul.

When Christie noted that he also hugged the victims of the September 11 terror attacks, Paul gave a very overt eye roll.

“I will not make the pledge at this time”, said Trump, who for weeks has said he would not rule out an independent bid that would likely split the Republican vote and boost the chances of victory for Clinton or another Democrat.

“Listen Senator, you know, when you’re sitting in a subcommittee just blowing hot air about this, you can say things like that. Get a warrant!” Paul yelled.

Later in the debate, he repeated this claim, stating: “I was appointed U.S. attorney by President Bush on September 10th, 2001, and the world changed enormously the next day”, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said, during the debate, while slamming Kentucky Sen.

While the candidates pitched their visions for the Republican Party’s future, they also made the case that they would present the strongest general election challenge to Clinton.

Instead, he blames the media for turning his comments around. “God gives me unconditional love, and I’m going to give it to my family and my friends and the people around me”.