Donald Trump comes out swinging in CNN debate

Donald Trump comes out swinging on CNN
(Image credit: CNN)

Jake Tapper's first question at the GOP debate was to Carly Fiorina, asking if she'd be comfortable with Donald Trump's finger on the nuclear launch codes. She said that was up to the voters, but when Trump was asked for his rebuttal, he answered: "Rand Paul shouldn't be on this stage. He's number 11."

"He's got 1 percent in the polls and how he got up here..." Trump continued. "There's far too many people up here anyway, and we all know that."

Paul, when given the chance to respond, said that the sideways attack was indicative of Trump's character, one not suited to negotiating America's enemies or being in charge of America's nuclear arsenal. There is "a sophomoric quality" to Trump, he added. A few minutes later, after Trump criticized Gov. Scott Walker's fiscal management of Wisconsin, Walker said, "We don't need an apprentice in the White House." Peter Weber

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Peter Weber

Peter Weber is a senior editor at TheWeek.com, and has handled the editorial night shift since the website launched in 2008. A graduate of Northwestern University, Peter has worked at Facts on File and The New York Times Magazine. He speaks Spanish and Italian and plays bass and rhythm cello in an Austin rock band. Follow him on Twitter.