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US election: Republican rivals debate without Trump US election: Republican rivals debate without Trump
(35 minutes later)
Republican 2016 presidential candidates are due to take to the debate stage in Iowa shortly, with the notable exception of frontrunner Donald Trump.Republican 2016 presidential candidates are due to take to the debate stage in Iowa shortly, with the notable exception of frontrunner Donald Trump.
He decided to withdraw after Fox News refused to drop host Megyn Kelly, whom Mr Trump accuses of bias. He decided to withdraw after Fox News refused to drop host Megyn Kelly, whom Mr Trump accused of bias.
The billionaire businessman will hold a competing rally nearby, although speculation remains that he may yet turn up on the debate stage. The billionaire businessman is holding a competing rally nearby, in honour of the country's war veterans.
Voters in Iowa on Monday are due to pick their presidential nominee. Voters in Iowa on Monday are due to pick their presidential nominee for each party.
It is seen as the first real test of the election campaign, and the beginning of a series of state-by-state contests to chose delegates for both Republicans and Democrats.It is seen as the first real test of the election campaign, and the beginning of a series of state-by-state contests to chose delegates for both Republicans and Democrats.
The Republican field is a wide one, and a debate undercard featuring four of the lowest-polling candidates is under way. The Republican field is a wide one, and a debate undercard featuring four of the lowest-polling candidates was held earlier on Thursday evening.
Follow the latest build-up to debateFollow the latest build-up to debate
In making his decision to skip the main debate in Des Moines, Mr Trump claimed "unfair" treatment from Ms Kelly of Fox News, which is hosting the debate in Iowa's state capital, Des Moines.In making his decision to skip the main debate in Des Moines, Mr Trump claimed "unfair" treatment from Ms Kelly of Fox News, which is hosting the debate in Iowa's state capital, Des Moines.
He will instead hold a fundraising event for veterans which will start at 1900 local time (0100 GMT), an hour before the debate, fuelling speculation that he could still appear. He is instead holding a fundraising event for veterans which began at 1900 local time (0100 GMT).
Analysis - Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America reporter in IowaAnalysis - Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America reporter in Iowa
It's like a Mad Max film without Max; Jurassic Park without the dinosaurs. But it now appears Donald Trump will be a no-show for Thursday night's Republican debate.It's like a Mad Max film without Max; Jurassic Park without the dinosaurs. But it now appears Donald Trump will be a no-show for Thursday night's Republican debate.
His absence presents a particular challenge to Ted Cruz. The Texas senator traded barbs with the New Yorker at the last debate, although neither gained the upper hand. Since then, he has been sharpening his attacks and appeared eager to use his polished debate skills to win round two.His absence presents a particular challenge to Ted Cruz. The Texas senator traded barbs with the New Yorker at the last debate, although neither gained the upper hand. Since then, he has been sharpening his attacks and appeared eager to use his polished debate skills to win round two.
Mr Trump's absence denies him that opportunity. Mr Cruz is likely to try to paint his opponent, in absentia, as either a coward afraid of a fight or an intemperate personality given to rash decisions.Mr Trump's absence denies him that opportunity. Mr Cruz is likely to try to paint his opponent, in absentia, as either a coward afraid of a fight or an intemperate personality given to rash decisions.
Pummelling an empty lectern can grow tedious, however, and Mr Cruz - who is knotted with Mr Trump atop Iowa polls - may draw fire from the rest of the field.Pummelling an empty lectern can grow tedious, however, and Mr Cruz - who is knotted with Mr Trump atop Iowa polls - may draw fire from the rest of the field.
Meanwhile, Mr Trump will take his spotlight to a different venue, where he can employ his unconventional rhetorical skills without challenge.Meanwhile, Mr Trump will take his spotlight to a different venue, where he can employ his unconventional rhetorical skills without challenge.
So far every move Mr Trump has made, no matter how seemingly risky, has ended up with him on top. If he loses Monday's caucuses, however, his debate decision will be heavily criticised - and could dent his reputation as a political savant.So far every move Mr Trump has made, no matter how seemingly risky, has ended up with him on top. If he loses Monday's caucuses, however, his debate decision will be heavily criticised - and could dent his reputation as a political savant.
Top Trump - Pit one Republican against another and see who winsTop Trump - Pit one Republican against another and see who wins
Friction between the businessman and television host dates back to the first Republican debate, when Ms Kelly challenged Mr Trump over derogatory comments he had previously made about women.Friction between the businessman and television host dates back to the first Republican debate, when Ms Kelly challenged Mr Trump over derogatory comments he had previously made about women.
On Thursday, the billionaire businessman tweeted risque photos of Ms Kelly from a 2010 story in GQ magazine, calling her "the bimbo that's asking presidential questions".On Thursday, the billionaire businessman tweeted risque photos of Ms Kelly from a 2010 story in GQ magazine, calling her "the bimbo that's asking presidential questions".
In polls, Mr Trump is currently leading the Republican pack in Iowa with 33.2% of the vote (6.5 percentage points above his nearest rival, Texas Senator Ted Cruz), and is in the lead nationally with 36.2% (16.8 points over Mr Cruz).In polls, Mr Trump is currently leading the Republican pack in Iowa with 33.2% of the vote (6.5 percentage points above his nearest rival, Texas Senator Ted Cruz), and is in the lead nationally with 36.2% (16.8 points over Mr Cruz).
Those left on the main debate stage include:Those left on the main debate stage include:
Iowa is the first state to vote in the primary election process, and can be an important moment for candidates to gain momentum as they try to secure their party's nomination.Iowa is the first state to vote in the primary election process, and can be an important moment for candidates to gain momentum as they try to secure their party's nomination.
Each state's process varies slightly, but they all fall into one of two categories: caucus or primary. Unlike a primary, which is a traditional election featuring secret ballots on polling day, a caucus is a meeting of registered party voters and activists where they discuss the candidates and then vote.
A primary is a traditional election, where a broad electorate of voters cast secret ballots at polls open all day - much like voting on the final election day in November.
A caucus is a meeting of registered party voters and activists where they discuss the candidates and then vote.
More: How do US primaries and caucuses workMore: How do US primaries and caucuses work