http://www.politico.com/story/2016/03/donald-trump-gop-unifier-220620?lo=ap_f1 Trump's new debate role: GOP unifier
He insulted his way to the front of the primary pack, but in the race's later stages, he's taking a new tack.
By Matthew Nussbaum
03/11/16 12:15 AM EST
Donald Trump ended Thursday night’s debate the same way he began it, calling for wary Republican leaders to unite behind his candidacy.
“I think frankly the Republican establishment — or whatever you want to call it — should embrace what is happening,” Trump said in his opening statement. “We’re having millions of extra people join, we are going to beat the Democrats.”
For Trump, it's part of a pivot toward the general election, where he'd want the full might of the Republican Party behind him in a faceoff with the Democratic nominee. And Trump argues the party is better off with him as well, saying its leaders should embrace the enthusiasm and new membership he has brought to the party.
Trump, after delivering a mild-mannered debate performance and avoiding the spats with his fellow candidates that have defined past debates, returned to that message at the debate’s close.
“The Republican Party has a great chance to embrace millions of people that it’s never known before. They’re coming by the millions,” Trump said. “We should seize that opportunity. These are great people.”
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