US election 2016
Trump, Rubio row over Islam �hate�
BBC
Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio has attacked Donald Trump for saying that Islam hates America, in a televised debate in Miami, reports BBC. Rubio, who faces a do-or-die contest in Florida on Tuesday, said Islam had a problem with radicalisation but said that many Muslims were proud Americans. Presidents cant just say whatever they want. It has consequences, he said, to cheers from the audience. The four Republicans heeded pleas from party leaders to have a civil debate. Unlike in the last TV event, which was littered with personal insults, this one was more substantive with a focus on policy. So far, I cannot believe how civil its been up here, Trump observed at one point.
But on the issue of Islam, there was clear distance between Trump and the others. Trump stood by comments he made earlier in the day when he said Islam hates us, theres a tremendous hatred, and railed against political correctness. But Rubio said: Im not interested in being politically correct. Im interested in being correct. Its now clear that the remaining candidates in the Republican field have run out of ideas on how to stop Donald Trumps march to the Republican nomination. In early debates the top-tier candidates largely ignored the New York billionaire, hoping hed self-destruct on his own. In the past few showdowns, theyve gone after him relentlessly. Now, in this 12th event, they started by avoiding confrontation, then prodded him only ever-so-gently. I cant believe how civil its been up here, Trump said at one point. Given that Trump has a lead in convention delegates and is ahead in many of the states set to vote on Tuesday, a fireworks-free debate is nothing but good news for the front-runner.
While Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz tried to draw contrasts with Trump on issues like foreign policy, trade protectionism and his reliance on anti-Islamic rhetoric, the enthusiasm just isnt there anymore. Cruz, in particular, launched most of his barbs with sighs and head-shaking resignation, rather than ferocity. This race isnt over yet, but Thursday nights proceedings show that - barring some sort of massive upheaval - the end is likely in sight. All three of Trumps rivals distanced themselves from Trumps statement in December that in the fight against terrorist you have to take out their families. Weve never targeted innocent civilians and were not going to start now Cruz said. When Trump was challenged on the legality of targeting civilians, he said that America had to be able to fight on an equal footing. We have to obey the laws, but we have to expand those laws, he said. On Tuesday five large states will vote for presidential candidate in each party, with Ohio Governor John Kasich and Rubio, a Florida senator, under pressure to win their home states.
