Donald Trump comes out swinging in CNN debate

(Image credit: CNN)

published 17 September 2015

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 has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.