Donald Trump polarizes young Republicans in Delaware

It didn’t take The Donald long to get under the skin of Delaware Republicans watching the first primary debate.

Within the opening seconds, Trump, leading the pack of 17 Republican candidates, said he could not promise he wouldn’t run as a third candidate if he didn’t get the nomination.

That drew groans and some gasps from a crowd of about 15 people gathered to watch the Republican debate Thursday night in the living room of Rep. Mike Ramone, R-Pike Creek.

“What can I throw at this TV that is easy to wash off,” said Rep. Jeff Spiegelman, R-Clayton. “I’m getting awfully tired of Donald Trump and I’m hoping that sooner or later we can turn our attention to candidates that actually matter.”

But that Rosie O’Donnell dig? It drew some laughs, partly for how outlandish it was.

Moderator Megyn Kelly asked Trump about his history of calling women “dogs” and “slobs,” and he responded with, “Only Rosie O’Donnell.”

“Mic drop,” said Mike Smith, 30, Pike Creek. “Whether you like him [Trump] or not, he’s fun to watch.”

Thursday night’s GOP debate was the first of the long primary season, with hopeful candidates fighting to have their message heard and secure the nod to square off against the Democratic candidate, who many expect to be Hilary Clinton. Though Joe Biden isn’t totally out of the picture … yet.

For many young Republicans watching the debate Thursday night, the economy is key.

“I feel like our generation has been hit the hardest,” said Brittany Keesler, 26, of Wilmington.

Erin Innes, 30, of Wilmington, said she’s looking for candidates to talk about the economy and how the country can be more fiscally responsible moving forward.

“It’s not exactly the sexy stuff,” she said. “Sound fiscal policy is what I’m looking for.”

Others want candidates to come out and take a stance supporting marriage equality.

“A lot of people growing up said, ‘Oh you’re a gay Republican,’ said Jordan Nally, 25, of Wilmington. “To see that the candidates on a national platform would stand behind you and not that just the Democrats support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, would mean a lot… and it would get more people involved,”

Nearly all of those watching the debate Thursday at Ramone’s house said that it’s too early to decide on a candidate.

Smith said he’s intrigued by New Jersey governor, and University of Delaware alum, Chris Christie and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

“Some of the other candidates are tougher to get behind,” he said. “I think we need someone who can actually work with people and I think you need to be more moderate to do that.”

The crowded field of candidates is a sign of a strong backbench, said John Fluharty, executive director of the state GOP.

“This is unheard of, this many candidates,” he said. “There are people in this party that are moving up. Look at the Scott Walkers, the John Kasichs... that’s a good thing.”

Delaware GOP Chairman Charlie Copeland, who is in Cleveland for the debates, said the party has “a curse of riches” with the number of candidates that have stepped forward.

Look at the people that didn’t make the main debate, Copeland said, noting there’s a former executive in Carly Fiorina – who stopped in Delaware in May – a former governor in Rick Perry, and longtime South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham.

“These are the people that didn’t make the top 10,” Copeland said. “I am much happier to be a Republican than I would be if I were a Democrat.”

Fox News limited the prime time spots to the top 10 candidates in the most recent polls. The other seven candidates had an earlier debate.

Copeland said the format is a necessary one to ensure there would be a clear and substantive message coming from the field of candidates.

“If you have 17 people on stage, everyone gets 30 seconds, there wouldn’t be an exchange of ideas,” Copeland said.

Nally likened the debate to high school, where it seems like everybody is against each other. But he said he’s hopeful that once candidates start dropping off the conversation will be more productive.

“It will get more to the issues instead of the one-liners,” Nally said.

Contact Jon Offredo at 678-4277 or joffredo@delawareonline.com.

Political Donations

Delaware donations to Republican candidate committees:

Jeb Bush $13,050

Rand Paul $9,453

Ted Cruz $9,216

Ben Carson $9,020

Marco Rubio $3,407

Mike Huckabee $300

Source: Federal Election Commission

* Scott Walker, Chris Christie, and John Kasich were not included because they had not announced a run until after the most recent filing with the FEC.

** Other candidates not listed, like Donald Trump, did not receive any money from Delaware sources.