AMES (US), July 19: Donald Trump blustered his way into more trouble as he criticized Sen. John McCain’s war record at a conservative forum, overshadowing fellow presidential candidates promoting their credentials to evangelical Christians.
The 10 White House hopefuls who yesterday converged on early-voting Iowa offered broad support for a crackdown on illegal immigration, a forceful approach to the Islamic State group that could include ground troops, and a devotion to Christian values.
They were vying for support from the more than 2,000 religious conservatives crowded into an Iowa sports arena at the annual Family Leadership Summit to listen to the candidates less than seven months before the Iowa caucuses kick off the state-by-state nominating contests.
Trump overshadowed a more substantive conversation by heaping fresh criticism on McCain, the party’s 2008 presidential nominee.
It was the latest example of the real estate mogul’s willingness to take on his own party, a practice that both excites his party’s most passionate conservatives and worries Republican officials.
Pressed on whether his recent criticism of McCain went too far, Trump went further.
“He is a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured,” Trump said when the moderator described McCain as a war hero.
McCain spent more than five years in a Vietnamese prisoner of war camp after his plane was shot down.
The comment drew some boos from the audience and quick condemnation from rivals who have been waiting for such an opening to reign in the outspoken reality television personality.
Several national polls show Trump leading the crowded Republican presidential field, with 15 candidates and counting, with former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker also in the top tier.
Despite his strong showing in the polls, which should secure him a spot in the first Republican presidential debate next month, Trump is still considered a long shot for the nomination.
Trump and McCain traded barbs earlier this week. McCain said Trump’s controversial comments about Mexican immigrants had “fired up the crazies” at a rally in Phoenix.
Trump retorted that the Arizona Republican was “a dummy” who graduated at the bottom of his class at the US Naval Academy.
During a news conference after his appearance, Trump did not apologize but sought to clarify his remarks. (AGENCIES)
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