CNBC debate moderator to Donald Trump: Are you a 'comic book version' of a candidate?

Donald Trump explains why he&#039;s not a &quot;comic book version&quot; of a candidate

(Image credit: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

published 29 October 2015

CNBC's John Harwood started out the question portion of Wednesday's primetime GOP presidential debate with a jab at Donald Trump. Trump wants to deport all illegal immigrants, get Mexico to pay for a 1,000-mile-long border fence, and cut taxes by $10 trillion without raising the deficit, Harwood said. "Let's be honest: Is this a comic book version of a presidential campaign?"

Trump began by saying the question "wasn't asked very nicely," and that CNBC commentator Larry Kudlow loves his tax plan. "I love the Mexican people," Trump said, but Mexican leaders are more clever than America's, and a politician couldn't get the Mexicans to pay for a wall, but Trump can. When Harwood pressed him about how his tax plan could possibly work, Trump again cited Kudlow. Watch the sparring opening salvo below. 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.