NEW YORK—Democrats clashed on a Brooklyn debate stage while Republicans courted donors in Manhattan as “New York values” framed the 2016 race for the White House Thursday night, just days before the state’s high-stakes presidential primaries in both parties.
As protests raged outside a state GOP gala, Republican front-runner Donald Trump delivered an impassioned defense of the city he calls home. The billionaire businessman praised the city’s response to the nation’s deadliest terrorist attacks in remarks designed to jab leading rival Ted Cruz, a Texas senator who has repeatedly condemned “New York values” in his push to defeat the New York real estate mogul.
“In our darkest moments, as a city we showed the world the very, very best in terms of bravery, heart and soul of America,” Trump charged. “These are the values we need to make America great again.”
Trump joined presidential contenders from both parties who hustled into New York City ahead of the state’s Tuesday presidential primaries, a critical test as both parties’ front-runners fight to beat back surging challengers. New conflicts flared between Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders in the Brooklyn debate as protesters clogged the Manhattan sidewalk outside a state GOP dinner featuring all three Republican White House hopefuls.
