Fourteen Republicans running for president used a candidate forum at St. Anselm College Monday night to woo early state voters.
Immigration, a key issue in the GOP primary, was front and center.
What to do about illegal immigrants was the first question of the night, and former Texas Governor Rick Perry seemed to speak for most candidates when he said he understands what the public expects.
"The American people don’t trust Washington, D.C. to deal with immigration reform until we secure the border," Perry said.
Marco Rubio of Florida, who helped push an immigration reform bill though the U.S. Senate, also said the border needs to be fully controlled, with a fence and more agents, before the country takes up the question of what to do with those here illegally.
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush said the U.S. needs to overhaul policies on legal immigration, and reduce the number of people who are allowed to come here based on family ties.
With 14 candidates – including three participating remotely – taking questions one at a time from a single moderator, this forum seemed almost like speed dating for president. And to a candidate, Republicans reserved their criticism for Democrats, the president, and Hillary Clinton.
"I am fluent in Clinton-speak," said South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham. "When he, Bill, says, I didn't sleep with that woman, he did. When (Hillary) says, I’ll tell you about building the pipeline when she’s president, she won’t and when she says, trust me you’ve got all the emails that you need, we haven’t even scratched the surface.
This forum, which was televised in New Hampshire, Iowa, and South Carolina, was organized by the New Hampshire Union Leader, to protest the decision by FOX News to allow only 10 candidates to participate in this year’s first official debate. That’s slated for Thursday night in Ohio.
The candidates broke little new ground on policy, and pitched themselves as new.
Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky said he’s “a different kind of Republican.” Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker called himself a “fresh face.” Bush, meanwhile, noted he had a different view than his brother. Asked about committing troops to fighting ISIS, Bush was also quick to suggest he’d tread carefully.
“I think we need special forces. The idea of boots on the ground, I’m not sure that’s necessary, but special forces, embedding out troops and trainers with the Syrian Free Army, training them," Bush said.
The forum was skipped by businessman Donald Trump, who’s led many recent polls.
