Republican debate as it happened: Trump, Cruz, Rubio and Kasich square off in Miami
- Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and John Kasich faced off for the 12th time at the University of Miami in Miami, Florida.
- The debate, which was hosted by CNN and The Washington Times, was moderated by CNN's Jake Tapper. Additional questions were delivered by CNN's Dana Bash, Salem Radio talk-show host Hugh Hewitt and The Washington Times' Stephen Dinan.
- The candidates have met ahead of primaries and caucuses in several states. Washington DC and Wyoming on 12 March and Florida, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio on 15 March.
Closing statements:
- Kasich: I have an unwavering, positive campaign. Says being positive may not be interesting but he will continue to run a positive campaign. Calls on voters in Illinois and Ohio to vote for him.
- Rubio: Talks about his family's modest start as Cuban refugees. Says when he's elected, this generation "will do its part" for the country.
- Cruz: Notes everyone's modest starts (except Trumps) and calls on the party to defeat Hillary Clinton.
- Trump: "The Republican Party has the great chance to embrace millions of people that it's never known before." Calls on the party to "be smart and unify".
Discussion has turned to a potential contested convention and campaign contributions. Trump claims he will have enough delegates to win the party nomination and that he has not decided whether or not he'll take campaign donations during the general election. He also derides candidates for using super PACs. "I don't want anyone to control me but the people out there," he says.
We're back from a brief commercial break. Trump is asked about the recent incidents of violence that have broken out during his rallies. He says he does not condone the violence. However, when Jake Tapper reads direct quotes of him inciting his supporters to violence, he says those protestors are "bad dudes".
After a brief commercial break, Trump is asked about his comments that Islam hates the US. "I mean a lot of 'em," he says when asked if he believes all Muslims hate America.
Rubio jumps in and says he understands why Trump's comments appeal to so many voters, because he says what they would like to say. But he adds that a president cannot just say whatever he/she wants, because his/her words have consequences. Later adds that he doesn't want to be politically correct, but he does want to be correct.
Wondering why the candidates aren't attacking each other? It may be all about the polls. Rubio launched several attacks towards Trump just last week, but instead of seeing a rise in the polls, he saw a decline.
During Wednesday's GOP town hall, Rubio said: "In terms of things that have to do with personal stuff, yeah, at the end of the day it's not something I'm entirely proud of. My kids were embarrassed by it, and if I had to do it again I wouldn't."
h/t The Hill
It seems Kasich is getting quite a bit more talking time than in previous debates. He reiterates his support for a path towards legalisation for undocumented immigrants. Note: legalisation NOT a path towards citizenship. "I'd be, you know maybe, running for president of Croatia if we didn't have immigration," he says.
First question: As an advocate for trade deals, has Kasich been catering to board rooms at the expense of the middle class?
Kasich responds that he's in favour of free trade but is more in favour of fair trade. Says that the US should shut down trade when member nations don't follow through with agreements.
Opening statements (30 seconds per candidate):
- Kasich: Restore the economy. Will work to restore the spirit of America.
- Rubio: Believes this is the most important election of a generation.
- Cruz: Florida welcomed his father 59 years ago as a refugee from Cuba. Says the campaign is not insults but about the voters and the freedom granted to Americans.
- Trump: Notes millions of voters are turning to the ballots to choose their GOP nominee. Calls on the Republican Party to embrace "what is happening" and says he will beat Hillary Clinton "soundly".
Reports are emerging that recent presidential candidate drop out Ben Carson will be endorsing Donald Trump. Carson, who suspended his campaign last week, plans to endorse Trump on Friday (11 March) morning, sources say. The endorsement follows just a few weeks after another campaign drop out—NJ Governor Chris Christie—endorsed the GOP frontrunner.
Carson's endorsement was finalised early on Thursday when the retired neurosurgeon met with Trump in Mar-a-lago, sources told reporters. The announcement will be made at a news conference in Palm Beach, Florida.
Former Carson staffers are also said to have joined Trump's campaign.
Welcome to our live coverage of tonight's GOP debate. Four candidates will face off as they vie to woo voters in Florida ahead of the 15 March primary. The next couple of days will be particularly crucial for the campaigns, with over 400 delegates up for grabs in six states and Washington DC. Here is how the candidates stand in delegate counts:
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