– ‘High-energy’ Bush –
Earlier, a foursome of low-polling candidates took their shots at Trump in the “undercard” debate.
A fiery Senator Lindsey Graham warned against nominating “cartoon character” Trump, while former New York governor George Pataki declared Trump “unfit to be president of the United States.”
The main event’s 11 candidates clashed extensively on issues including immigration, how to handle a looming government shutdown, and dealing with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Bush, perhaps the campaign’s ultimate establishment Republican, has seen his political fortunes tumble in the months since Trump entered the race, and he sought to claw back some of his lost ground by projecting himself as an even-keeled conservative who can lead from day one.
The former Florida governor tangled with Trump over speaking Spanish in the United States, and provided a witty retort to Trump’s accusation that he is a “low-energy” candidate.
Asked what he would want his Secret Service handle to be if he were elected, Bush said “Ever-ready. It’s very high-energy, Donald.”
But Bush was forced into an awkward defence of his brother George W. Bush, who was president on September 11, 2001 and launched divisive wars in Afghanistan and Iraq after the terror attacks on American soil.
“There is one thing I know for sure – he kept us safe,” Bush said.
“I don’t know, do you feel safe right now?” Trump replied. “I don’t feel so safe.”
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