For GOP, Debate Was Glimpse of What Could Have Been

Front-runner Donald Trump’s boycott of the final debate before the Iowa caucuses created space for his rivals to delve more deeply into their differences on immigration, foreign policy and their approach to governing

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, center, answers a question as retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, left, and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., right, listen during a Republican presidential primary debate, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, in Des Moines, Iowa. AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

DES MOINES, Iowa—For the Republican candidates for president, it was a glimpse of what could have been.

Front-runner Donald Trump’s boycott of the final debate before the Iowa caucuses created space for his rivals to delve more deeply into their differences on immigration, foreign policy and their approach to governing.

And for some candidates — former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in particular — Trump’s absence from the debate stage Thursday night appeared to ease some of the tension created by his sharply personal attacks.

A frequent target of Trump, Bush opened the debate by saying wryly, “I kind of miss Donald Trump; he was a teddy bear to me.”

In this Dec. 15, 2015 file photo, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, right, makes a point as Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas listens on during the Republican presidential debate in Las Vegas. AP Photo/John Locher