US Republicans Debate National Security

The nine top candidates seeking to win the US Republican party's nomination to run for President have been debating national security in Las Vegas.

The frontrunner, Donald Trump, has been on the defensive as the candidates focus on his comments about 'banning Muslims' from entering the US.

Former Florida governor Jeb Bush said such a ban would be an obstacle in the fight against IS: 

IN: So Donald...

OUT: ...our country safe

DUR: 12 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1215bush1.mp3

Donald Trump hit back, saying his policy wasn't isolationist, and criticising Jeb Bush's campaign: 

IN: Jeb doesn't really...

OUT: ...out of control 

DUR: 18 seconds

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1215trump1.mp3

The candidates also sparred over surveillance - Texas Senator Ted Cruz explained his vote on a bill that changed the collection of data, saying it gave law enforcement more strength, and said the Obama administration was targetting law abiding Americans:

IN: What the USA....

OUT: ...acts of terror 

DUR: 32 seconds 

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1215cruz1.mp3

Marco Rubio said that President Obama doesn't have the right strategy against IS and didn't project strength after the San Bernadino shootings:

IN: They're actively recruiting... 

OUT: ...made things worse 

DUR: 23 seconds 

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/2015rubio1.mp3

Texas Senator Ted Cruz says he would intensify airstrikes against IS, and criticised what he characterised as a hesitant approach from President Obama: 

IN: You would carpet-bomb...

OUT: ...ISIS where they are 

DUR: 28 seconds 

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1215cruz2.mp3

Donald Trump says money spent on toppling Middle Eastern dictators would have been better spent in the US:

IN: The Middle East...

OUT: ...hospitals, roads

DUR: 15 seconds 

http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1215trump2.mp3