Greenville, SC -Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Jeb Bush engaged in an angry clash on Saturday over the Iraq war and the proper U.S. role to take against Russia’s involvement in Syria.
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Trump, leading polls in South Carolina and in position to take command of the Republican nomination fight if he wins the state’s Republican primary on Feb. 20, attacked Bush’s brother, former President George W. Bush, for invading Iraq in 2003 over weapons of mass destruction that were never found.
The raucous back-and-forth was the most bitter exchange between the two men over the course of nine debates and was a sign of how critical both see a strong showing in South Carolina.
“George Bush made a mistake,” Trump thundered. “We all make mistakes. But that one was a beauty … They lied! They said there were weapons of mass destruction. And there were none.”
As many in the crowd booed Trump, the billionaire Republican front-runner dismissed them as “lobbyists and special interests” who supported Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor.
Bush also criticized Trump for remarks praising Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying Putin is stirring turmoil in Syria by launching air strikes in support of Syrian President Bashir Assad, who Washington would like to leave power.
Bush, who will campaign on Monday with his brother George, rejected Trump’s comments and defended his family.
“I’m sick and tired of him going after my family,” Bush said. “My dad is the greatest man alive in my mind. While Donald Trump was building a reality TV show, my brother was building a security apparatus to keep us safe. And I’m proud of what he did.”
“He had the gall to go after my mother,” Bush said, reminding the audience that Trump had criticized his 90-year-old mother, Barbara Bush, wife of former President George H.W. Bush. for him. “My mother is the strongest woman I know.”
“She should be running,” Trump responded.
Marco Rubio and Donald Trump are engaging in a fiery back and forth over whether former President George W. Bush kept the nation safe.
Trump says the world trade center “came down during the reign of George W. Bush,” drawing boos from the crowd.
Trump’s forceful remarks came after Rubio said he thanks God “that it was George W. Bush in the White House on 9/11 and not Al Gore.” He immediately pushed back on Trump’s comments, declaring it’s Bill Clinton, not Bush, who is to blame for not killing Osama Bin Laden in the 1990s.
Trump is slamming the former president, brother of candidate Jeb Bush, as the debate focuses on foreign policy and the decision to invade Iraq. He’s alone among the six candidates on stage in criticizing Bush.
They argue too much and are making republicans look arrogant.
If trump, cruz and bush don’t start acting like good people focused on American and not bashing each other then the republicans won’t have a chance.
I have never seen candidates exhibit such unpresidential behavior. Kasich is the only one that seems to have any dignity.
To #2 - What exactly is “presidential behavior”. Lyndon Johnson used to parade around nude in the White House, in front of reporters, and his family. John F. Kennedy used to swim in the nude in the White House pool, with White House Secretaries. Was that “presidential behavior”.
Bush was a total liar but that does not make T Rump a worth while candidate. He has no brains, no skills, no plans, no vision, just a big mouth.
“Trump is a huge brain of success!”
What? Trump is very fortunate that his father Fred was born before him. Being given a million here or there as a ‘loan.’ Becoming part of his father’s multi-million dollar real estate business. If not for Fred, you’d never have heard of Donald. A ‘huge brain,’ my eye!
To #7 - Your statement is totally inaccurate. Trump started his business with $200,000 in capital. His Father did not leave him millions (it is a fallacy), or with any real estate in Manhattan; all of Fred Trump’s commercial property was in Brooklyn, and Queens. Trump is a real estate genius. I give him credit for his real estate accomplishments and success. You may not like his personality, but we must give credit where it is due. Even his late Father, Fred Trump, stated “He has accomplished more in real estate, than I could ever accomplish”.
To #6 - You are one of those esteemed and distinguished “scholars” on this site, (including your meshpucha, #4 ), who keep stating in one way or the other, that all of Trump’s supporters are blue collar, white trailer trash. In fact, many of us (including myself), are highly educated Yidden, who can’t wait until Jan. 20, 2017, when Trump will be sworn in as our 45th President. As FDR once stated “With the unbounded determination of our people, we shall gain the inevitable triumph, so help us G-d”.