First GOP debate on Thursday anything but low key for candidates

Political analysts expecting the first Republican debate Thursday night to to be relatively relaxed were in for a rude awakening.

The top ten GOP candidates, determined by polls selected by Fox, met in Cleveland to discuss illegal immigration, the U.S. response to ISIS, entitlement reform and the Iran deal. But not before Donald Trump, who leads the GOP field by double digits in most polls, made his first inflammatory remark of the night.

The real estate mogul and reality TV star threatened several weeks ago to run without the Republican nomination should he be passed over in the primaries. And at the start of the debate, Trump denied allegiance to the GOP by being the only candidate to refuse pledging support for a nominee if it isn’t him.

Trump is only candidate to refuse to pledge support for nominee if it isn't him. This action was booed by the crowd. #GOPDebate

— DTH State & National (@DTHStatNat) August 7, 2015

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul was quick to rebuke.

“This is what’s wrong,” Paul said. “He buys and sells politicians of all stripes.... He’s already hedging his bets on the Clintons.”

Rand Paul questions Trump loyalty again. Trump says Paul is, "having a hard time tonight." #GOPDebate

— DTH State & National (@DTHStatNat) August 7, 2015

Paul also entered a verbal joust with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie over his attempts to defund the NSA. He accused Christie of being friendly with President Barack Obama, whom he hugged during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

Christie says Paul is irresponsible to try to defund NSA, Paul recalls Christie's hug of Obama and wants to defend 4th Amendment #GOPDebate

— DTH State & National (@DTHStatNat) August 7, 2015

Christie, unamused, lashed back, noting his work in prosecution following 9/11 and meeting with families of the deceased.

“Those had nothing to do with politics, unlike what you’re doing by cutting speeches on the floor of the Senate, then putting them on the Internet within half an hour to raise money for your campaign,” Christie said.

Other candidates stayed out of the crossfire, with Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush focused more on flaunting their records.

The remaining GOP presidential hopefuls concentrated on resisting individual criticisms and debating social issues like gay marriage and abortion.

Thursday’s event followed a 5 p.m. ‘happy hour’ debate also hosted by Fox, which featured the bottom-polling seven candidates.

Republican candidates have about six months to differentiate themselves in the polls until the Iowa caucuses, and a little over one month to prepare for the next GOP debate in California.

But as Thursday’s debate wrapped up, moderator Megyn Kelly offered a dismal outlook.

“Are (the candidates) relieved?” she said. “(They) were nervous before. They don’t look relieved. They look like ‘get me out of here.’”

state@dailytarheel.com