Republican strategist: Trump a ‘distraction’ in debate

Donald Trump drew boos from the crowd and attacks from rivals at a raucous first Republican US presidential debate after he refused to rule out an independent bid for the White House and bristled at questions about his attitudes towards women.

With 10 Republicans vying for attention on the crowded stage on Thursday night in Cleveland, Ohio, the candidates frequently turned on one another rather than direct their fire towards Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton or President Barack Obama.

Matthew Del Carlo, a Republican strategist, told Al Jazeera: “Trump was the distraction if not the loser of this debate.”