The Republican presidential debate Saturday night came just hours after the death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia. After the candidates were asked their opinion on Scalia's death, the issue of the Iraq War was brought up and sparks quickly followed.

Trump's anti-Iraq War message

With foreign policy center stage, the issue of the Iraq War was highlighted on the debate stage in South Carolina. As expected, the feud between front runner Donald Trump and the rest of the presidential candidates has only heated up since the Iowa caucus earlier this month, and it didn't slow down on Saturday night.

"I'm sick and tired of him going after my family," Bush said of Trump's insults, noting, "While Donald Trump was building a reality TV show, my brother was building a security apparatus to keep us safe." At this point, the former host of "The Apprentice" cut in, taking a hard shot at Bush and his brother, former President George W. Bush. “The World Trade Center came down during your brother’s reign. That’s not keeping us safe," Trump said, as the Bush-friendly crowd booed.

The debate gets heated

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio chimed in, tapping into his conservative Christian debate talking points, stating, "I thank God, all the time, that it was George W. Bush in the White House on 9/11 and not Al Gore." Once again Trump got his opinion in, speaking loudly over the raucous crowd, asking, "How did he keep us safe when the World Trade Center came down?" Trump went on to point out that he lost "hundreds of friends" when the World Trade Center was attacked and collapsed in New York City.

The billionaire real estate mogul was asked whether he still stood by his previous position of backing Democrats to impeach President Bush over allegedly lying about Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq.

In response, Trump said "call it what you want," noting that Bush made a big mistake.

Current Palmetto State status

The GOP South Carolina primary is set for Feb. 20 as the election moves forward. According to Real Clear Politics rolling average, Trump is in a commanding lead with 35 percent, with Cruz, Rubio, Bush, and Kasich all fighting for the second slot.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED