The top ten Republicans running for president trained much of their fire on Hillary Clinton Thursday during the first debate of the campaign season, sustaining a trend of reserving their vitriol for the likely Democratic nominee rather than for each other.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio highlighted his own humble upbringing, contrasting it to Clinton’s wealth.
“If I’m our nominee, how is Hillary Clinton going to lecture me about living paycheck to paycheck?” Rubio said. Clinton has taken substantial criticism for attempting to rail against the richest Americans while earning millions herself.
Donald Trump implied Clinton’s favor could be bought and sold, noting his prior political donation to her.
“With Hillary Clinton I said ‘be at my wedding,’ and she came to my wedding,” the bombastic businessman said. “She had no choice because I gave.”
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker accused Hillary Clinton of holding “a radical position in terms of support for Planned Parenthood.”
Walker also hit Clinton on her record as secretary of state.
“Everywhere in the world that she touched is more messed up,” Walker said.
Taking a swipe at Clinton’s recent email controversies, Walker quipped that Russian leaders likely know more about her emails than members of Congress.
Ben Carson accused Clinton of exploiting divisions among Americans to drum up support.
“She is the epitome of the secular progressive movement. She counts on the fact that people are uninformed,” Carson said.
The neurosurgeon said Clinton employs the “Alinsky model” of “taking advantage of useful idiots.”
“I happen to believe that people are not stupid,” Carson said.
In an email to supporters sent during the debate, Clinton highlighted the fact that all 10 participants were men.
“Right this minute, ten Republican men are on national TV, arguing over which one will do the best job of dragging our country backwards,” Clinton’s campaign wrote.
She noted she was not watching the debate.
“Donald Trump, Jeb Bush, Scott Walker, Marco Rubio — they all have the same agenda. They are out of step with the kind of country Americans want for themselves and their children,” Clinton said.
