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Story highlights
GOP candidates discuss whether Obama
should nominate Scalia's successor
But the consensus at the GOP debate hosted by CBS News was short-lived as the candidates spent the
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hours clashing
issues including
immigration,
foreign policy and the legacy of former President
George W. Bush.
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'Lies'
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Rubio and Cruz got into a cage match over their records on immigration reform. When asked about his plan
to curb illegal immigration, Cruz said there was "sharp difference on immigration" between the candidates on
stage, before delivering his first punch at Rubio on the issue.
"When Harry Reid and Chuck Schumer and establishment Republicans were leading the fight to pass a
massive amnesty plan," Cruz said, he was on the side to defeat what he called the "Rubio-Schumer
amnesty plan."
Rubio accused his Senate colleague of spreading "lies."
"He either wasn't telling the truth then, or isn't telling the truth now," Rubio said. "To argue that he's a purist
on immigration is just not truth."
When Cruz said Rubio has a long record of supporting amnesty and referenced comments he made on
Univision, Rubio shot back: "I don't know how he knows what I said on Univision because he doesn't speak
Spanish."
Cruz quickly responded by speaking in Spanish.
Rubio wasn't the only one to call Cruz a liar. Moments later, Trump called the Texas senator "the single
biggest liar."
"This guy lied about Ben Carson when he took votes away from Ben Carson in Iowa," Trump said, a
reference to Cruz allies incorrectly telling voters on the night of the Iowa caucuses that Carson was dropping
out of the race.
READ: Republican debate: CNN's Reality Check Team inspects the claims
Trump went on to accuse Cruz of running robo-calls in South Carolina informing voters that Trump was not
running in this state.
"This is the same thing he did to Ben Carson. This guy will say anything nasty guy," Trump fumed.
Cruz accused Trump of hypocrisy, noting that earlier in the campaign, the businessman had called Carson
"pathological" and compared the retired neurosurgeon to a child molester.
Looking on at his rivals from the edge of the stage, Carson appeared amused by the vicious attacks and
said he had no intention of joining in the mud slinging.
"So many people have said to me, you need to scream and jump up and down like everybody else," Carson
said.
More than once Tuesday night, Kasich also tried to play a similar role of happy warrior.
Voters "want to see unity and I don't want to get into all this fighting tonight," the Ohio governor said. People
are "sick of the negative campaigning."
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Jeb Bush hit back strongly, saying, "I'm sick and tired of Barack Obama blaming my brother for all of the
problems" he faces. He then turned the fire on Trump: "While Donald Trump was building a reality TV show,
my brother was building a security apparatus" to keep the country safe, he said.
Trump lashed back, saying it was under Bush's watch that the World Trade Centers fell on September 11,
2001.
"That's not keeping us safe," the New Yorker said, spurring the audience at the Peace Center to boo loudly
in disapproval of Trump.
Rubio joined in the conversation by coming to George W. Bush's defense.
"He kept us safe and I'm forever grateful," the Florida senator said. The terrorist attacks of 2001 happened,
Rubio added, because Bill Clinton failed to kill Osama bin Laden when he had the chance.
Trump's line of attack was clearly intended to remind voters of Bush's family legacy and revive hesitations
about installing a political dynasty in the White House. But South Carolina is home to a large number of
military personnel and veterans and Trump's critique of the Iraq War could prove risky here.
What's at stake
For Bush, the quest to win South Carolina is personal. The former governor is looking to capitalize on
George W. Bush's popularity in the state by bringing the former president out to campaign with him this
week. Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina senator who ended his own bid for president in December and
endorsed Bush, played the role of surrogate Saturday night as he mingled with reporters in the spin room.
Rubio also has reason to hope for a strong showing here. Some of his top campaign aides, including
campaign manager Terry Sullivan, are Palmetto State veterans who have been laying the groundwork in the
state for months. The Florida senator also earned the endorsement of two prominent members of Congress
from this state: Sen. Tim Scott and Rep. Trey Gowdy.
The pressure was intense for Rubio, who was rattled by former rival Chris Christie during a memorable
moment at the last debate in New Hampshire. But he avoided any gaffes Saturday, and appeared nimble on
the debate stage.
For Kasich, South Carolina is an uphill battle. The Ohio governor has largely campaigned on a moderate
message, and though he is riding high from a second-place finish in New Hampshire this week, appealing to
a more conservative base in South Carolina will be a tough task.
Carson's path forward is unclear. He briefly topped national polls and was competitive in Iowa, where he
appealed to the state's large evangelical constituency. But after a series of missteps and the loss of top
campaign staffers, Carson has not been able to regain momentum.
As he has in the previous debates, Carson on Saturday used self-deprecating humor to acknowledge that
his moment in the spotlight appears to have passed.
"Thank you for including me in the debate," he said. "Two questions already -- this is great."
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