GOP Goes After Trump at Debate
Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 10:55PM Marco Rubio was on fire Thursday night.
For weeks, he's resisted taking on Donald Trump, who has eviscerated other Republicans who threatened his status as the front-runner. That reluctance evaporated during the final GOP debate before Super Tuesday as Rubio delivered blow after blow at Trump, attacking him on his immigration, foreign policy and health care positions, along with his business hiring practices.
"You're the only person on this stage that's ever been fined for hiring people to work on your project illegally," Rubio told Trump at the debate airing on CNN.
Rubio and Trump spoke over each other as the senator accused the real estate mogul of hiring Polish workers. Trump dismissed the episode as something that happened decades ago.
"I guess there's a statute of limitations on lies," Rubio said.
Rubio later mocked Trump for having a "fake school," referring to lawsuits aimed at Trump University alleging fraud and deception.
Trump hit back: "Here's a guy that buys a house for a $179,000 -- he sells it to a lobbyist who's probably here for 380,000."
Rubio responded by calling out Trump for his privileged background.
"If he hadn't inherited $200 million, you know where Donald Trump would be right now? Selling watches in Manhattan," Rubio said.
And Rubio challenged Trump on foreign policy.
Trump repeatedly stated his support for Israel, billing himself the most "pro-Israel" candidate in the GOP field. But even as he said he was "totally pro-Israel," he also said he didn't believe there was any reason for labeling Israel and the Palestinians as the "good guy" and the "bad guy."
"The position you've taken is an anti-Israel position," Rubio said.
When Trump said he was simply a "negotiator," Rubio shot back: "The Palestinians are not a real estate deal, Donald."
The tough talk comes as Trump heads into the March 1 Super Tuesday contests with remarkable momentum, after consecutive victories in New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. Rubio has struggled to step out of Trump's shadow and Thursday's debate could mark a pivotal moment as he seeks to convince voters that he is best positioned to be an alternative to Trump and to unite a fractured Republican Party.
Reader Comments