Trump Survives Debate As Rival Attacks Fail

The billionaire deflects attempts by his chief rivals to pick holes in his campaign message during the latest Republican debate.

  UK, Friday 11 March 2016

Mr Trump's campaign remains on track following the debate

Donald Trump has emerged from the latest Republican presidential debate still on course to secure his party's nomination for the White House.

On the eve of critical primaries in Florida and Ohio, the billionaire tycoon avoided unseemly clashes that have dominated headlines in previous debates.
He also deflected attempts by his chief rivals, Senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, to pick holes in a campaign message which has mobilised extraordinary public support.
It came as Mr Trump was expected to secure the support of one of his former rivals
- retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson who recently dropped out of the presidential race.
:: Man Filmed Punching Trump Rally Protester

Video: Protester Attacked At Trump Rally

At one point during the debate, Mr Trump told the audience in Miami: "I can’t believe how civil it is up here."
If Mr Trump were to win the two winner-takes-all states next week, pundits say his path to collecting the required number of delegates to secure the Republican nomination would be wide open.
Mr Rubio desperately needs to win his home state next week to save his campaign and he fired off some popular rhetoric for the Miami crowd.
His passionate criticism of President Barack Obama's rapprochement with Cuba - something not condemned by Mr Trump - went down very well with an audience well versed in the Cold War history between the two countries.
Mr Rubio also scored points with more criticism of Mr Trump's call to ban Muslims from entering the United States.
He pointed to the number of Muslim American service personnel who have fought and died for the country.
"I'm not interested in being politically correct, just correct," he told Mr Trump.

Video: Trump Supporter: He Deserved It

Mr Cruz, who has become the closest challenger to Mr Trump, also tried to hammer the tycoon over the lack of specifics in his plans as president.
Few were able to land a blow – and Mr Trump ended the evening with a mocking impersonation of Mr Cruz's boast about the number of states he has won.
Mr Trump was also asked to condemn the actions of a 78-year-old fan charged with assault for punching a protester at a rally in North Carolina.
The candidate, who recently said he wished he could have punched a protester in the face, said he did not condone the actions but that they represented the anger people feel about the state of the country.
The debate was perhaps further evidence of Mr Trump's attempts to tack to the political centre and appear more presidential in style.
Two hours of a Republican debate with barely an insult thrown is a rarity but Mr Trump knows he has this race in his hands now. It is his to lose.