DeSantis, Haley spar in yet another GOP debate without Trump: ANALYSIS
ABC News
His challengers criticized the front-runner only sparingly.
As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley squared off in the final debate before Iowa caucusgoers cast ballots, the pair dealt more personal blows to one another than in the direction of the GOP frontrunner -- former President Donald Trump.
All the while, Trump took part in televised town hall on a friendly conservative network. The attempt at counterprogramming allowed Trump to position himself to siphon away the spotlight from his distant competitors.
While DeSantis and Haley bickered, Trump looked past the primary process announcing to his audience that he had already decided on a running mate though he didn't indicate who it might be. He told the audience that DeSantis was doing "poorly" in the race and later told ABC News that Haley "doesn't have a chance" in the fast-approaching New Hampshire primary.
On the debate stage, Trump's absence was addressed sparingly by the candidate. .
