Under pressure: White House hopeful Rubio in the line of fire after rise in polls

Marco Rubio, a first-term senator on the rise in the presidential race, faced a barrage of attacks in Saturday night’s Republican debate, with rivals vigorously challenging his readiness to be president and the depth of his expertise as they sought to salvage their own White House hopes. Ted Cruz, fresh off his victory in the Iowa caucuses, also came under withering criticism for controversial political tactics, with one candidate disparaging him for having “Washington ethics” and being willing to test the campaign’s legal limits. The focus on the two senators allowed front-runner Donald Trump to go largely untouched in his return to the debate stage.

You have not been involved in a consequential decision where you had to be held accountable. You just simply haven’t.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie

Cruz was the victor in Iowa, triumphing over billionaire Trump by drawing heavily on the support of evangelical voters. But he’s faced criticism for messages his campaign sent to voters ahead of the caucuses saying rival Ben Carson — another favourite of religious conservatives — was dropping out and urging the retired neurosurgeon’s supporters to back him instead. Cruz apologised for his campaign’s actions Saturday, but not before Carson jabbed him for having “Washington ethics”. Trump was back on the debate stage after skipping the last contest before the Iowa caucuses.

I would bring back waterboarding and I’d bring back a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding.

Donald Trump

Republican debate