Donald Trump Says He Won’t Attack Rivals During Debate
The first Republican primary debate is taking place this Thursday. Many have speculated that Donald Trump would attempt to steal the show during the debates, but he says that won’t happen.
After the controversial comments Trump had made throughout his campaign, many believed that behavior would translate into a lively debate.
Though expectations were high that Trump would create an intense debate, Trump downplayed his debating skills and said he wouldn’t “throw punches” at the other candidates. In an interview with ABC News, the current GOP frontrunner made it clear that he’s not interested in debating his rivals.
“These politicians — I always say, they’re all talk, no action. They debate all the time… I don’t debate. I build.”
The debate, which will be presented by Fox News, will host 10 of the top-polling Republican candidates. A second debate scheduled earlier in the evening will allow the other announced candidates who aren’t polling well to have a discussion. The main debate will be two hours long, and it will start at 9 p.m. EST, while the second debate will be just one hour long and begin at 5 p.m. EST.
The other candidates joining the debate will include some experienced politicians who know how to debate. Candidates like Jeb Bush, Scott Walker, and Mike Huckabee have experience debating, while Trump has never taken part in a real political debate. Trump may have a disadvantage when it comes to the debates, but as previously reported by the Inquisitr, he is still leading his rivals in the polls.
“Maybe my whole life is a debate in a way, but the fact is I’m not a debater, and they are.”
It may be surprising to some that Trump doesn’t plan on attacking his fellow candidates during the debates. Over the course of his campaign, Mr. Trump has repeatedly attacked his rivals. In one instance, he attacked both candidates Rick Perry and Lindsey Graham in the same breath.
“He doesn’t seem like a very bright guy. He actually probably seems to me not as bright as Rick Perry. I think Rick Perry probably is smarter than Lindsey Graham.”
During his interview with ABC News, Trump said that all of the attacks on his rivals have been in response to an attack made by them. As Reuters reported, instead of attacking other candidates, Trump told NBC News that he just wants to discuss the issues.
“Frankly I’d like to discuss the issues. I am not looking to take anybody out or be nasty to anybody.”
This week’s debate will be aired on the Fox New Channel, and currently not all of the 10 available spots for the debate have been determined. Rick Perry, Chris Christie, and John Kasich are battling for the two remaining seats.
[Photo by Scott Olson / Getty Images]
