NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) – Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ted Cruz clashed Thursday night over the Texas senator’s eligibility to serve as commander in chief and the businessman’s “New York values,” ending months of civility between fiery contenders seeking to tap into voter anger and frustration.
More than two hours of prime-time argument presented voters with a sharp contrast to the optimistic vision of America that President Barack Obama painted in his State of the Union address earlier this week. The candidates warned of dire risks to national security if a Democrat is elected to succeed Obama and challenged claims of recent economic gains.
Heated exchanges between Trump and Cruz dominated much of the debate, with the real estate mogul saying the senator has a “big question mark” hanging over his candidacy given his birth in Canada to an American mother.
“You can’t do that to the party,” Trump declared.
Cruz suggested Trump was only turning on him because he’s challenging Trump’s lead, particularly in Iowa, which kicks off voting on Feb. 1.