Republicans give their reaction to presidential debate

Trump also refused to pledge “at this time” that he would support the party’s eventual nominee. But Trump quickly dispatched any suggestion that he would tone down his rhetoric for the primetime debate by sticking to his earlier playbook, challenging his rivals and the moderators.

“I will not make the pledge at this time”, Trump said as he also declined to rule out making an independent bid.

Mr Trump’s refusal to take the pledge enraged Kentucky senator Rand Paul, who said Mr Trump was “already hedging his bets because he’s used to buying politicians”.

Paul blasted him for hugging Obama after superstorm Sandy slammed the Northeast, saying: “I don’t trust Obama with our records”.

“The big problem this country has is being politically correct”, said Trump.

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush heard boos at Thursday’s Republican presidential debate when the moderator said he is the lone candidate on stage who supports education standards known as Common Core.

Donald Trump sure didn’t have anything nice to say about Rosie O’Donnell during tonight’s GOP debate.

The Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, was grilled on the economy – the main concern for voters in his state.

The hopeful Republican presidential candidate has been targeted for being close to Democrat Hillary Clinton and for not paying attention to key issues.

For most Americans who have not immersed themselves in the machinations of an election still more than 15 months away, it was the best look yet at the Republicans hoping to prevent a third consecutive Democratic presidential term.

He never actually answered Kelly’s question on if his previous comments were the type of responses fitting for a potential future president, but that’s probably because he thought his Rosie joke was a mic drop.

The first Republican presidential debate is over. “I had the good sense to leave Atlantic City, which by the way, Caesar’s just went bankrupt”.

“Maybe it’s because I hadn’t given money to the (Clinton) foundation or donated to his wife’s Senate campaign”, she added, referring to reports about Trump’s past support for the Democratic family.

The fascination with the frontrunner Trump fueled projections of record viewership of the debate, hosted by Fox News, Facebook and the Ohio Republican Party.

Trump in particular has pushed the issue of immigration throughout the summer. He said Thursday border patrol agents agreed with his comments about Mexicans, and he took credit for immigration being an issue in the 2016 campaign.

Defiant, Trump said he “used the laws” of the U.S. “to do a great job” for his company, his employees and himself.

“Well, first let me say, I think God has blessed us”.

Sen. Ted Cruz, surgeon and tea party favorite Ben Carson, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, and Ohio Gov. John Kasich rounded out the debate lineup. He’s since become one of the most outspoken and controversial candidates on both sides of the political aisle.

“When you’re sitting in a subcommittee just blowing hot air about this, you can say stuff like that”, responded Christie.

Fiorina, the only woman in the Republican field, said Trump had tapped into Americans’ anger with Washington, but she challenged the businessman as lacking policy positions. He said he gave to one of her foundations, and that he donated to politicians for business favors, which demonstrates the political system was “broken”.