Donald Trump claims attacks not part of debate plan

Donald Trump, the man to beat in tonight’s first televised Republican presidential debate, said he does not plan to attack his rivals and downplayed expectations for his performance, saying “I’m not a debater.”

The combative real estate mogul will take center stage at debate among the 10 top-polling candidates as he leads the 17 candidates vying to represent their party in the November 2016 election.

Trump has raised eyebrows and ire with attacks on his fellow candidates, accusing former Texas governor Rick Perry of wearing glasses to look smarter and belittling the war hero status of US senator John McCain of Arizona, the party’s 2008 presidential candidate and a prisoner during the Vietnam War.