- Republican presidential primary candidates face off in a debate without Donald Trump
- Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio have standout moments, shifting some focus away from Trump’s absence
- Trump’s absence remains a topic of discussion, but several candidates shine in the spotlight
During the recent Republican Presidential Primary Debate, which took place without the participation of Donald Trump, it was unclear if a new frontrunner emerged among the GOP candidates. The televised debate on Fox News presented the opportunity for candidates such as Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio to assert themselves in the absence of Trump.
Many viewers and commentators expected the event to be dominated by discussions related to Trump’s boycott, as he is the current polls frontrunner. However, to some extent, the debate allowed other candidates to step up and make their mark.
Senator Ted Cruz, in particular, had several standout moments during the debate, presenting policy proposals, and even cracking jokes in an attempt to connect with the audience. Similarly, Marco Rubio seized the opportunity to appeal to the more conservative faction of the Republican Party, explaining his pro-life position in detail and attacking Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton. “I would rather lose an election than be wrong on the issue of life,” Rubio passionately stated.
While the candidates were able to make an impact during the debate, the question of whether any of them managed to successfully emerge as a new frontrunner without Trump taking part has yet to be determined.