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Signs that Republican hopefuls taking sharper aim at Trump
LAURIE KELLMAN Republican presidential candidate, former Florida Gov. Jeb hopefuls, the CNN debate once-top-tier trio of Bush,
Associated Press Bush speaks during a campaign stop at R.E. Prescott Co. in Ex- on Wednesday at the Ron- Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walk-
WASHINGTON (AP) — Three eter, N.H. Three days before the next Republican presidential ald Reagan Presidential er and Florida Sen. Marco
days before the next Re- debate, signs abound that some rivals of Donald Trump are tak- Library in Simi Valley, Cali- Rubio combined. In sec-
publican presidential de- ing direct aim at his decisive lead with attacks on his divisive fornia, is the last chance for ond place: retired neuro-
bate, signs abound that rhetoric and vague policy. several weeks to claim the surgeon Ben Carson, who
some rivals of billionaire national spotlight. Pope has repeatedly refused to
developer Donald Trump (AP Photo/Jim Cole) Francis is poised to eclipse criticize Trump in recent
are taking direct aim at his national politics with his days.
decisive lead with attacks voters.. not going to sit quietly by tour of the hemisphere, Ohio Gov. John Kasich also
on his divisive rhetoric and “Someone has to bring and let the disaster that is football season begins and declined to take on Trump.
vague policy. him down,” Kentucky Sen. Donald Trump become the Congress faces serious de- During an appearance on
“There will probably be Rand Paul told The Associ- nominee.” cisions about whether to “Fox News Sunday” Kasich
more elbows thrown at ated Press last week. “I’m For all of the Republican fund or close the govern- said he’d rather spend his
that debate,” Republican ment. time introducing himself to
National Committee Chair- Over the weekend, Trump’s voters who aren’t familiar
man Reince Priebus said rivals campaign-tested with him.
Sunday on CNN’s “State of their approaches, which Trump is showing signs that
the Union.” seemed aimed at his cred- he’s aware of the growing
From the campaign to ibility and his smash-mouth target on his back. On the
cable television, some of style. eve of Wednesday’s de-
Trump’s rivals are testing “Mr. Trump says that I can’t bate, Trump is expected
ways to hobble his bid, speak Spanish,” former Flor- to deliver an address on
since the mogul’s own ida Gov. Jeb Bush, speak- national security and veter-
bombast and lack of policy ing Spanish, told supporters ans’ issues. In a few weeks,
details have not hurt him Saturday in Miami. “Pobre- there will be more policy
with Republican primary cito (poor guy).” statements, Trump said,
And former technology when he releases a plan to
executive Carly Fiorina, reduce taxes.
whose face Trump ridiculed For now, he’s firing back.
in a Rolling Stone interview, “Lightweight Senator @
tried dismissal. RandPaul should focus on
“Donald Trump is an enter- trying to get elected in Ken-
tainer,” she told reporters tucky — a great state which
in Dover, New Hampshire. is embarrassed by him,”
Leadership is not “about Trump tweeted late Satur-
how big your office is, it’s day. “I truly understood the
not about how big your appeal of Ron Paul, but his
airplane, your helicopter or son, @RandPaul, didn’t get
your ego is,” she added in the right gene.”
another appearance. He’s casting Carson, mean-
Trump’s campaign, mean- while, as lacking energy
while, is soaring past up- and an inadequate advo-
roars that would have sunk cate for the nation.
other candidates. His na- “I’m a deal maker. I will
tional poll numbers have make great deals for this
risen to rival Democratic country. Ben can’t do that,”
front-runner Hillary Rodham Trump told CBS’s “Face the
Clinton in head-to-head Nation.” ‘’Ben’s a doctor,
matchups. and he’s not a dealmaker.”
On Friday, former Texas Carson noted on the same
Gov. Rick Perry, the leading show that he’s been on
anti-Trump voice among the board of international
the Republican contend- companies like Kellogg’s
ers, became the first can- and Costco.
didate to drop his troubled Earlier on ABC’s “This
bid for the nomination. Week,” Carson said: “You
Among Republicans, still- don’t have to be loud to
early surveys suggested be energetic.”q
that the reality TV star has
more support than the
