Trump,
Rubio likely targets in eighth Republican presidential debate
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[February 06, 2016]
By Emily Stephenson
MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (Reuters) -
Donald Trump and Marco Rubio could be top targets for rivals' fire on
Saturday when seven Republican White House hopefuls take the stage in
New Hampshire for their eighth debate, just days before the state's
high-stakes primary.
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Billionaire Trump held a wide lead in polls in New Hampshire, with
U.S. Senator Rubio of Florida second in a rapid rise ahead of
Tuesday's primary, part of the series of contests to pick the
nominee for the Nov. 8 presidential election.
Trump and Rubio have taken flak from competitors as candidates
launched an all-out offensive across New Hampshire.
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush attacked Trump for using profane
language and brought out his mother, former First Lady Barbara Bush,
who accused Trump of misogyny over his criticisms of a Fox News
anchor.
Bush and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie also went after Rubio.
All three are vying for the favor of establishment Republicans in
New Hampshire.
Christie on Friday released videos mocking Rubio for appearing
scripted on the campaign trail. And Bush, a former mentor to Rubio,
unveiled an ad showing Rick Santorum, who left the race this week
and endorsed Rubio, apparently struggling to name any of the
senator's accomplishments.
Rubio finished third in Iowa on Monday, behind U.S. Senator Ted Cruz
of Texas and Trump. On Friday, Rubio won the endorsement of another
ex-candidate, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal.
Ohio Governor John Kasich, who will also participate in Saturday's
debate, argued that Republicans won't win elections by bashing each
other. Kasich has placed much of his White House hopes on New
Hampshire, where he held his 100th town hall event on Friday.
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"Part of the campaign is not just about how you trash somebody else.
The way you win a campaign is what you're for, your heart and your
brain, that's what it's really all about," Kasich said.
But it could be a tough message to absorb in a tense week. Trump,
Cruz and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson have engaged in a three-way
stand-off since Cruz's surprise Iowa win. Trump called for the
results to be nullified over reports that Cruz supporters told
caucus-goers Carson was dropping out.
A new Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll found Trump leading in
New Hampshire with 29 percent, followed by Rubio and Kasich.
Not on stage will be businesswoman Carly Fiorina, who failed to meet
host network ABC's requirements to qualify. Fiorina released an open
letter excoriating the debate process as "broken."
(Reporting by Emily Stephenson; Editing by Leslie Adler)
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