"I'd rather just discuss the issues," Donald Trump said of the upcoming Republican debate, nothing that he doesn't want to attack his fellow candidates. Thursday's debate is the first in a long line of matches that will mark the Presidential primary election. "I'd like to be very civil," Trump said on "Good Morning America," according to CNN.
But up until the debate, Trump is happy to make pointed remarks toward his own GOP Presidential contenders. In the same interview, the real estate mogul pointed out that Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and Gov. Rick Perry (Texas) are both down in the polls. Neither will be participating with Trump at Thursday's 9 p.m. debate, which is only for the top 10 poll leaders. The seven other candidates will participate in their own consolation pre-debate at 5 p.m.
Despite his push for civility the day before the debate, Trump has arguably been just the opposite in the past. He's made disparaging public comments about Graham and Perry in the past, as well as Gov. Jeb Bush (Fla.), according to the Los Angeles Times. Trump's staffers have apologized for various gaffes made by Trump and, by extension, his campaign.
"If I'm attacked I have to, you know, do something back," Trump said in the interview, according to the Christian Science Monitor. Maybe it's a warning to the other nine men participating in Thursday's debate.
By his own admission, Trump has never debated in a formal setting like this before. He is currently polling at 23 percent, with a considerably high margin over his competitors. As a reality TV celebrity and well-known businessman, Trump brings quite a bit of star power to the debate.
