Republicans Revel in Trump-Free Debate as He Holds Competing Event
With just four days before the Iowa caucuses, the stakes are sky-high as Cruz's lead has been all but erased and the brash New Yorker stood atop recent polls.
Trump Makes Debate Decision From Position of Strength
This article is for subscribers only.
The first Donald Trump-free Republican debate began Thursday night in Des Moines with chief rivals reveling in the chance to hit the front-runner without him hitting back—and actually get some attention themselves.
"I'm a maniac, and everyone on this stage is stupid, fat and ugly. and Ben, you're a terrible surgeon. Now that we've gotten the Donald Trump part out of the way...," began Ted Cruz, mocking his chief rival's proclivity for insults as he kicked off one of the most unusual nights in one of the most unusual presidential primaries in modern history.