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Sunday, November 15, 2026Nov 15

Debate Takeaways: Civil court discussion gives way to brawl

Republican presidential candidate, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush poses for a photograph after the CBS News Republican presidential debate at the Peace Center, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Republican presidential candidate, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush poses for a photograph after the CBS News Republican presidential debate at the Peace Center, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

WASHINGTON (AP) – Saturday’s Republican presidential debate was the perfect spot for GOP candidates to try and project legal gravitas after the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

That was a fairly civil discussion.

Then came the brawls:

First, Donald Trump and Jeb Bush went after each other. Then Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio got into their own shouting match, which even devolved into barbs about who can speak Spanish.

Then it was back to Trump v. Bush for Round Two. Next up: Trump v. Cruz.