Rand Paul Plans to Attack Trump in Next Debate — So Trump Hits Back

Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul said on Saturday that he would sharpen his attacks on front-runner Donald Trump in the second debate on Wednesday — and the real estate mogul quickly fired back on Twitter.

"I think I was a little too easy on Donald Trump last time," the Kentucky senator told Politico, referring to the Aug. 6 debate in Cleveland. "That’s given in jest.

"And I think that it’s hard to say in advance exactly what will happen because you are somewhat bound to the questions that you’re going to answer them," Paul added. "And I plan on answering them."

Paul slammed Trump right at the outset of the debate when the developer said that he would not back the eventual nominee or rule out an independent run — getting the contest, seen by 24 million viewers, off to a contentious start.

The senator, who was campaigning in Iowa, will be among 11 Republicans on the stage at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., for the debate among the top-tier candidates.

Former Hewlett-Packard Co. CEO Carly Fiorina made the cut for the event, which will be co-hosted by CNN.

But Trump, also courting votes in The Hawkeye State, hit back immediately via three tweets:

Too many people on stage for debate. @RandPaul at 11th, with 2% in @RealClearNews, shouldn't be allowed to participate.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 12, 2015

I truly understood the appeal of Ron Paul, but his son, @RandPaul, didn't get the right gene.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 12, 2015

Lightweight Senator @RandPaul should focus on trying to get elected in Kentucky--- a great state which is embarrassed by him.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 12, 2015

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