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GOP debate: Rubio takes stand against climate change policies, despite Miami mayor’s concern about rising seas GOP debate: Trump doesn’t condone violence, but he says he understands his supporters’ anger
(35 minutes later)
Republican front-runner Donald Trump said that he does not condone violence against protesters at his rallies – but also seemed to excuse the anger that motivated them – in Thursday night’s GOP debate.
“People come with tremendous passion and love for the country. And when they see protesters . . .” Trump said, then trailed off. “When they see what’s going on with this country, they have anger that is unbelievable.”
In the most recent evidence, a 78 year-old man in North Carolina was charged with assault after a protester was hit as he was led past the suspect by law enforcement.
He was asked by a moderator about statements Trump himself had made from the stage, suggesting that protesters might be punched, or roughed up by the crowd. Trump responded by saying that the violence was often started by protestors.
“We have some protesters who are bad dudes. They have done bad things. They are swinging, they are really dangerous, and they get in there and they start hitting people,” Trump said.
In another debate, on another night, when Trump’s rivals were more aggressive, they might have attacked him for seeming to encourage this unusual kind of violence at a rally for a major-party front-runner. But, on this night, they didn’t seem inclined. Sen. Ted Cruz (Tex.) was asked about Trump’s comments, and Cruz turned his attack instead on President Obama.
“We’ve seen for seven years, a president who believes he’s above the law, who behaves like an emperor,” Cruz said. He turned to the crowd: “How many of y’all feel disrespected by Washington. Washington isn’t listening to the people. And that’s the frustration that is boiling over.”
“I’m concerned about violence in general in this society,” said Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.), when he was asked about the same violence. The one critic of Trump was Ohio Gov. John Kasich, whose criticism was relatively oblique: “Elections are important. But the unity of this country really matters.”
Later in the debate, Trump was asked if he would give up a pledge to “self-fund” his campaign if he became the Republican nominee, and needed an influx of cash to take on a Democratic candidate.
“I have not made that decision yet,” Trump said. “My decision was that I would go through the entire primary season” without taking large contributions, Trump said. Despite Trump’s rhetoric, he is still taking donations, including from people who use the “Donate” button on his website.
He later condemned the very system he was now considering joining: “They make large contributions to politicians, and they have total control over those politicians. I don’t want anybody to control me, but the people right out there” he said, meaning the debate audience.
Trump then returned to a tactic he had used several times on Thursday night: using his political impurities as a private citizens as proof that he could purify the system as a politician.
“I know the system is broken,” Trump said, speaking of campaign finance as someone who had given large amounts to politicians from both parties. “Frankly, I know the system better than anybody else. And I’m the only up here who’s going to be able to fix that system.”
Toward the end of the debate, Trump seemed to sum up his approach to governing in one sentence: despite his promises of a hard-line stance on a variety of subjects, he would be flexible when it came to actually setting policy. Flexible on what? “It depends on what comes up,” he said.
 
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Republican Sen. Marco Rubio rejected the idea of adopting new policies to fight climate change in Thursday night’s Republican presidential debate, saying that the U.S. government could do nothing that would make a difference.Republican Sen. Marco Rubio rejected the idea of adopting new policies to fight climate change in Thursday night’s Republican presidential debate, saying that the U.S. government could do nothing that would make a difference.
Rubio was asked by a moderator about a statement from Miami’s mayor, a Republican who has endorsed Rubio, worrying that rising sea levels would swamp parts of his city. Rubio responded with skepticism that climate change was really a man-made phenomenon, saying that the climate was always changing. Rubio then pivoted to a slightly different argument – saying, in essence, that U.S. policies could not stop climate change because other countries were already pumping out so many emissions.Rubio was asked by a moderator about a statement from Miami’s mayor, a Republican who has endorsed Rubio, worrying that rising sea levels would swamp parts of his city. Rubio responded with skepticism that climate change was really a man-made phenomenon, saying that the climate was always changing. Rubio then pivoted to a slightly different argument – saying, in essence, that U.S. policies could not stop climate change because other countries were already pumping out so many emissions.
“I am not going to destroy the U.S. economy for a law that will do nothing for the environment,” Rubio said. It was a remarkable contrast from the Democratic debate the night before, when both Democratic candidates spoke about climate change as an urgent problem, and spoke about an urgent need to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.“I am not going to destroy the U.S. economy for a law that will do nothing for the environment,” Rubio said. It was a remarkable contrast from the Democratic debate the night before, when both Democratic candidates spoke about climate change as an urgent problem, and spoke about an urgent need to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
Speaking after him, Ohio Gov. John Kasich said, “I do believe” in man-made climate change. The other two candidates onstage – Sen. Ted Cruz (Tex.) and billionaire front-runner Donald Trump – were not asked their opinion.Speaking after him, Ohio Gov. John Kasich said, “I do believe” in man-made climate change. The other two candidates onstage – Sen. Ted Cruz (Tex.) and billionaire front-runner Donald Trump – were not asked their opinion.
[Why climate change is such a big issue in Florida][Why climate change is such a big issue in Florida]
Earlier in the evening, Republican front-runner Donald Trump appeared to make up his policy on Cuba on the spot, pausing for a moment to decide that he would undo President Obama’s decision to reopen the U.S. Embassy in Havana.Earlier in the evening, Republican front-runner Donald Trump appeared to make up his policy on Cuba on the spot, pausing for a moment to decide that he would undo President Obama’s decision to reopen the U.S. Embassy in Havana.
“I would probably have the embassy closed,” Trump said, after being pressed by CNN’s Dana Bash. He said the closure would be temporary, while he renegotiated the terms of America’s rapprochement with Cuba. “Make a deal. It would be great. But it’s got to be a great deal. Not a bad deal by the United States.”“I would probably have the embassy closed,” Trump said, after being pressed by CNN’s Dana Bash. He said the closure would be temporary, while he renegotiated the terms of America’s rapprochement with Cuba. “Make a deal. It would be great. But it’s got to be a great deal. Not a bad deal by the United States.”
What followed was one of Rubio’s best moments of the night – a chance to defend a hard-line policy toward Cuba’s communist regime, which was a key part of his platform during his rise in Florida politics. Rubio is the son of Cuban immigrants.What followed was one of Rubio’s best moments of the night – a chance to defend a hard-line policy toward Cuba’s communist regime, which was a key part of his platform during his rise in Florida politics. Rubio is the son of Cuban immigrants.
“Here’s a good deal. Cuba has free elections. Cuba stops putting people in jail” for political reasons, Rubio said, listing the details he would demand in a future deal with the island’s communist government. “You know what? Then we can have a relationship with Cuba. That’s a good deal.”“Here’s a good deal. Cuba has free elections. Cuba stops putting people in jail” for political reasons, Rubio said, listing the details he would demand in a future deal with the island’s communist government. “You know what? Then we can have a relationship with Cuba. That’s a good deal.”
[The debate transcript, annotated][The debate transcript, annotated]
Earlier, Trump gave an unusually wide-ranging denunciation of Islam and Muslims in Thursday’s GOP debate, saying that “a lot of ‘em” hate America.Earlier, Trump gave an unusually wide-ranging denunciation of Islam and Muslims in Thursday’s GOP debate, saying that “a lot of ‘em” hate America.
“I will tell you, there’s something going on that maybe you don’t know about, maybe a lot of other people don’t know about, but there’s tremendous hatred,” Trump said, after he was asked about a comment he made earlier this week that “Islam hates us.”“I will tell you, there’s something going on that maybe you don’t know about, maybe a lot of other people don’t know about, but there’s tremendous hatred,” Trump said, after he was asked about a comment he made earlier this week that “Islam hates us.”
Rubio criticized Trump in his most forceful attack of the night, saying that Trump’s comments would hurt America’s interests by alienating Muslims overseas. Trump stood by it, and expanded with his own criticism of Islam’s treatment of women.Rubio criticized Trump in his most forceful attack of the night, saying that Trump’s comments would hurt America’s interests by alienating Muslims overseas. Trump stood by it, and expanded with his own criticism of Islam’s treatment of women.
“You can be politically correct if you want. I don’t want to be so politically correct. I like to solve problems,” Trump said. “Islam. Large portions want to use very, very harsh means. Let me go a step further. Women are treated horribly. You know that, you do know that.”“You can be politically correct if you want. I don’t want to be so politically correct. I like to solve problems,” Trump said. “Islam. Large portions want to use very, very harsh means. Let me go a step further. Women are treated horribly. You know that, you do know that.”
That brought an attack from Cruz, who had mocked Trump several times in this debate with caveman-like over-simplifications of policy arguments.That brought an attack from Cruz, who had mocked Trump several times in this debate with caveman-like over-simplifications of policy arguments.
Islamic terrorism was a huge threat, Cruz said, and he blamed President Obama for under-playing and under-estimating the threat. “That is maddening,” Cruz said. “But the answer is not simply to yell, ‘China bad! Muslims bad!’”Islamic terrorism was a huge threat, Cruz said, and he blamed President Obama for under-playing and under-estimating the threat. “That is maddening,” Cruz said. “But the answer is not simply to yell, ‘China bad! Muslims bad!’”
Then Cruz turned to an argument that, in essence, Trump’s harsh rhetoric belied his actual policy positions on the Middle East, which Cruz believed were not hard-line enough. For instance, Cruz believed that Trump was not sufficiently pro-Israel, and would give away too much by seeking to be neutral broker in future talks between Israel and Palestinians.Then Cruz turned to an argument that, in essence, Trump’s harsh rhetoric belied his actual policy positions on the Middle East, which Cruz believed were not hard-line enough. For instance, Cruz believed that Trump was not sufficiently pro-Israel, and would give away too much by seeking to be neutral broker in future talks between Israel and Palestinians.
Prior to the exchange, the most spectacular arguments were between Trump and — himself. In two different instances, Trump outlined a policy that he said was bad – and then explained how he himself embraced it.Prior to the exchange, the most spectacular arguments were between Trump and — himself. In two different instances, Trump outlined a policy that he said was bad – and then explained how he himself embraced it.
On the question of immigration, for instance, Trump said that the system of “H-1b” visas, meant for highly skilled foreigners, was a bad thing for U.S. workers. But he still uses it at his businesses.On the question of immigration, for instance, Trump said that the system of “H-1b” visas, meant for highly skilled foreigners, was a bad thing for U.S. workers. But he still uses it at his businesses.
“It’s something that I frankly use. And I shouldn’t be allowed to use. And we shouldn’t have it,” Trump said of the high-skilled visa program. “It’s sitting there waiting for you. But it’s very bad . . . for our workers. And it’s very unfair for our workers.”“It’s something that I frankly use. And I shouldn’t be allowed to use. And we shouldn’t have it,” Trump said of the high-skilled visa program. “It’s sitting there waiting for you. But it’s very bad . . . for our workers. And it’s very unfair for our workers.”
And then, on the subject of Social Security, Trump seemed to criticize Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders for saying they didn’t want to change Social Security, and even wanted to expand it.And then, on the subject of Social Security, Trump seemed to criticize Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders for saying they didn’t want to change Social Security, and even wanted to expand it.
Trump then said that he, too, did not want to change Social Security.Trump then said that he, too, did not want to change Social Security.
“I will do everything in my power not to touch Social Security, to leave it the way it is,” Trump said, after Rubio had said he wanted to gradually change Social Security so that future generations of retirees would retire later. “It’s my absolutely intention to leave Social Security the way it is.”“I will do everything in my power not to touch Social Security, to leave it the way it is,” Trump said, after Rubio had said he wanted to gradually change Social Security so that future generations of retirees would retire later. “It’s my absolutely intention to leave Social Security the way it is.”
It was an almost post-apocalyptic debate, in which Trump rivals who had been blasting Trump a week earlier seemed to see little point in fighting anymore. As the debate went on, Trump even seemed to turn the heat up gradually against Cruz, saying that he had been for “amnesty” for undocumented immigrants. It was one of the worst insults of this campaign so far. Cruz just laughed, and the debate moved on. At another moment, a moderator noted that Cruz had mocked Clinton for saying something that Trump had just said right in front of him – that Social Security could be salvaged by cutting only ‘Waste, fraud and abuse” – and not any benefits that people actually need.It was an almost post-apocalyptic debate, in which Trump rivals who had been blasting Trump a week earlier seemed to see little point in fighting anymore. As the debate went on, Trump even seemed to turn the heat up gradually against Cruz, saying that he had been for “amnesty” for undocumented immigrants. It was one of the worst insults of this campaign so far. Cruz just laughed, and the debate moved on. At another moment, a moderator noted that Cruz had mocked Clinton for saying something that Trump had just said right in front of him – that Social Security could be salvaged by cutting only ‘Waste, fraud and abuse” – and not any benefits that people actually need.
Did he just compare Trump to Hillary Clinton? A moderator asked.Did he just compare Trump to Hillary Clinton? A moderator asked.
Cruz, even then, didn’t bite. “I will let Donald speak for himself,” Cruz said.Cruz, even then, didn’t bite. “I will let Donald speak for himself,” Cruz said.
[The real difference between Trump and his opponents, in one debate question][The real difference between Trump and his opponents, in one debate question]
Social Security is a major issue in Florida, where the debate is being held. The location, the University of Miami, is in recognition that the biggest prize at stake on Tuesday is the Sunshine State, where 99 delegates will be awarded to the winner, regardless of the voting percentages.Social Security is a major issue in Florida, where the debate is being held. The location, the University of Miami, is in recognition that the biggest prize at stake on Tuesday is the Sunshine State, where 99 delegates will be awarded to the winner, regardless of the voting percentages.
On Thursday, a new Washington Post -Univision News poll showed Trump leading Rubio by a margin of 38 percent to 31 percent among likely Republican voters in Florida. That actually is good news for Rubio: Previous polls have shown him losing to Trump by double digits. But still, he would come away empty handed if he loses his home state.On Thursday, a new Washington Post -Univision News poll showed Trump leading Rubio by a margin of 38 percent to 31 percent among likely Republican voters in Florida. That actually is good news for Rubio: Previous polls have shown him losing to Trump by double digits. But still, he would come away empty handed if he loses his home state.
Trump so far has won GOP contests in 15 states. He has accumulated about 458 Republican delegates, which is 99 more than Cruz, his closest rival. Trump needs 1,237 delegates to win the nomination.Trump so far has won GOP contests in 15 states. He has accumulated about 458 Republican delegates, which is 99 more than Cruz, his closest rival. Trump needs 1,237 delegates to win the nomination.
During the debate, Trump said he would be the best at un-doing the damage done to American workers by foreign trade deals – and his argument was that, as a businessman, he has exploited those very laws skilfully.During the debate, Trump said he would be the best at un-doing the damage done to American workers by foreign trade deals – and his argument was that, as a businessman, he has exploited those very laws skilfully.
“Nobody knows the system better than me,” Trump said, when debate moderator Anderson Cooper asked about Trump’s hiring of foreign workers for his businesses. Trump has also been criticized for having his name-branded clothing and other products made overseas, despite his campaign-trail rhetoric bemoaning the loss of American manufacturing jobs. “I will take advantage of it — they’re the laws. But I’m the one who knows how to change it,” Trump said.“Nobody knows the system better than me,” Trump said, when debate moderator Anderson Cooper asked about Trump’s hiring of foreign workers for his businesses. Trump has also been criticized for having his name-branded clothing and other products made overseas, despite his campaign-trail rhetoric bemoaning the loss of American manufacturing jobs. “I will take advantage of it — they’re the laws. But I’m the one who knows how to change it,” Trump said.
The subject of foreign trade has become a powerful issue in both the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries, with Trump and Democratic-primary candidate Bernie Sanders appealing to white working-class voters by blaming long-serving politicians for the trade deals that shipped jobs away.The subject of foreign trade has become a powerful issue in both the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries, with Trump and Democratic-primary candidate Bernie Sanders appealing to white working-class voters by blaming long-serving politicians for the trade deals that shipped jobs away.
In Thursday’s GOP debate, the two GOP candidates who are in the Senate sounded strongly skeptical of deals that allow freer trade, which have long been favored by Republicans in Washington. Both blamed the Obama administration, for essentially failing to hammer out trade deals that worked well, and failing to properly enforce what had been agreed-to before.In Thursday’s GOP debate, the two GOP candidates who are in the Senate sounded strongly skeptical of deals that allow freer trade, which have long been favored by Republicans in Washington. Both blamed the Obama administration, for essentially failing to hammer out trade deals that worked well, and failing to properly enforce what had been agreed-to before.
“There are great trade deals, and there are bad ones,” Rubio said.“There are great trade deals, and there are bad ones,” Rubio said.
“We’re getting killed in international trade right now,” Cruz said.“We’re getting killed in international trade right now,” Cruz said.
Trump opened the debate by saying that his party’s establishment should embrace him – not fight him – because Trump is bringing new voters to the primary polls.Trump opened the debate by saying that his party’s establishment should embrace him – not fight him – because Trump is bringing new voters to the primary polls.
“They’re voting out of enthusiasm. They’re voting out of love. Some of these people, frankly, have never voted before,” Trump said, calling his success in the GOP primary one of the biggest political stories around the globe. He said that the GOP establishment should accept him, because he could defeat a Democrat in the fall: “We’re going to beat them soundly.”“They’re voting out of enthusiasm. They’re voting out of love. Some of these people, frankly, have never voted before,” Trump said, calling his success in the GOP primary one of the biggest political stories around the globe. He said that the GOP establishment should accept him, because he could defeat a Democrat in the fall: “We’re going to beat them soundly.”
Earlier in the day, reports indicated that Trump will soon be endorsed by a candidate who was involved in earlier main-stage debates — retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson.Earlier in the day, reports indicated that Trump will soon be endorsed by a candidate who was involved in earlier main-stage debates — retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson.
In the last few weeks, the GOP nomination has turned surreal as Trump’s challengers turned desperate. Rubio, in particular, had sought to copy Trump’s insult-comic style, mocking the front-runner’s tan and insulting the size of his fingers. Trump responded in the last debate with an even more surreal moment: to reassure anyone who would draw implications from the size of his hands, he volunteered onstage that there was “not a problem” with the size of his genitals.In the last few weeks, the GOP nomination has turned surreal as Trump’s challengers turned desperate. Rubio, in particular, had sought to copy Trump’s insult-comic style, mocking the front-runner’s tan and insulting the size of his fingers. Trump responded in the last debate with an even more surreal moment: to reassure anyone who would draw implications from the size of his hands, he volunteered onstage that there was “not a problem” with the size of his genitals.
If that moment hurt Trump, it didn’t hurt him much: since then, Trump has won five of the seven states that have voted since then.If that moment hurt Trump, it didn’t hurt him much: since then, Trump has won five of the seven states that have voted since then.
Losing Florida would be a devastating blow not just to Rubio’s presidential campaign but his political career. Rubio is leaving the Senate, and he would have to face the next phase of his life with Trump’s epithet “Little Marco” metaphorically hung around his neck.Losing Florida would be a devastating blow not just to Rubio’s presidential campaign but his political career. Rubio is leaving the Senate, and he would have to face the next phase of his life with Trump’s epithet “Little Marco” metaphorically hung around his neck.
For Kasich, who like he has done in previous debates, tried to stay out of the fighting, the firewall is his home state, Ohio, which will be almost as big a prize as Florida, with 66 delegates for the winner and zero for everybody else. Polls show Kasich in a close race with Trump in his home state, where the GOP apparatus is strongly behind him and he has a fairly high approval rating. If he can beat Trump anywhere, Ohio is it.For Kasich, who like he has done in previous debates, tried to stay out of the fighting, the firewall is his home state, Ohio, which will be almost as big a prize as Florida, with 66 delegates for the winner and zero for everybody else. Polls show Kasich in a close race with Trump in his home state, where the GOP apparatus is strongly behind him and he has a fairly high approval rating. If he can beat Trump anywhere, Ohio is it.