Debate Another Chance for Rubio, Cruz to Try to Slow Trump

With Donald Trump’s grasp on the Republican presidential nomination tightening, the billionaire businessman’s rivals get one more chance to challenge the GOP front-runner on the debate stage before next week’s slate of Super Tuesday contests
Debate Another Chance for Rubio, Cruz to Try to Slow Trump
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event, Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. AP Photo/Mary Altaffer
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LAS VEGAS— With Donald Trump’s grasp on the Republican presidential nomination tightening, the billionaire businessman’s rivals get one more chance to challenge the GOP front-runner on the debate stage before next week’s slate of Super Tuesday contests.

The situation is likely more dire for the other GOP candidates than they would like for voters to believe. Yet Sens. Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz have so far shown little willingness to take on the former reality television star when the national spotlight shines brightest.

That could change Thursday night in Houston.

“The vast and overwhelming majority of Republicans do not want Donald Trump to be our nominee,” Rubio told NBC, suggesting that Trump is winning only because the other candidates are splitting the majority of the electorate.

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) speaks at a rally in Reno, Nev., on Feb. 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Republican presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) speaks at a rally in Reno, Nev., on Feb. 22, 2016. AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez