With Trump Absent, Cruz And Rubio Fight For Center Stage

NPR

Published January 29, 2016 at 1:06 PM EST

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Republican presidential candidates Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) participate in the Fox News - Google GOP Debate on January 28, 2016, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Residents of Iowa will vote for the Republican nominee at the caucuses on February 1. Donald Trump, who is leading most polls in the state, decided not to participate in the debate. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Marco Rubio of Florida took advantage of leading Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s notable boycott of Thursday night’s debate on the Fox News Channel.

With four days left until the Iowa caucuses, the rest of the top GOP candidates sparred on policy issues like immigration, veterans’ rights, national security and the economy.

Here & Now’s Republican political analyst, Paris Dennard, breaks down the debate with host Robin Young and shares his thoughts on how the debate might affect the start of the primary season.

Guest

Paris Dennard, Here & Now political analyst and a Republican strategist. He tweets @PARISDENNARD.