The Republican presidential candidates head into Thursday night's debate with Donald Trump's nearest rivals, Senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, needing breakout moments to disrupt the frontrunner's momentum before the Super Tuesday nominating contests next week.
Trump has won in three consecutive states — New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada — and polls predict he'll dominate on Super Tuesday. Rubio, who narrowly beat Cruz for second place in Nevada, said Wednesday that once the five-candidate field narrows, "a clear alternative to Donald Trump" will emerge. The debate begins at 8:30 p.m. ET and airs on CNN.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.