Talking Points: Substance Over Personal Attacks

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Ronald Reagan used to talk about what he called the 11th Commandment: "Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican."

Those days are clearly long gone, as the Republican candidates continue to trade insults on the debate stage and on the campaign trail.

Donald Trump has even used a vulgar term to describe rival Sen. Ted Cruz.

After Saturday night's debate in South Carolina, Dr. Ben Carson openly worried that the heated rhetoric will only help Democrats win the White House in November.

It's a concern shared by many Republicans across the nation.

Congressman Erik Paulsen, who was a guest on WCCO Sunday Morning, said that the personal attacks are unacceptable and aren't what voters need to hear as the pool of candidates gets smaller.

"I think voters are going to be looking for some substance, in terms of foreign policy, economic challenges that we have in this country, and that is where we should be focusing on," Paulsen said.

Paulsen has not yet endorsed a candidate.

The next GOP presidential contest is the South Carolina primary on Saturday.