This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2016-35665575

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
US Election 2016: Cruz and Rubio clobber Trump in debate US Election 2016: Cruz and Rubio attack Trump in debate
(35 minutes later)
Republican presidential candidates Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio unleashed a barrage of attacks on front-runner Donald Trump in the last debate before a pivotal series of primaries. Republican presidential candidates Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio have unleashed a barrage of attacks on front-runner Donald Trump in the last debate before next week's pivotal primaries.
The senators sought to blunt Mr Trump's momentum after he won three of the first four contests.The senators sought to blunt Mr Trump's momentum after he won three of the first four contests.
Immigration, healthcare and outreach to Latino voters dominated the debate.Immigration, healthcare and outreach to Latino voters dominated the debate.
But like previous forums, the debate quickly dissolved into long periods of shouting and personal insults. But like previous occasions, the debate quickly disintegrated into long periods of shouting and personal insults.
Mr Rubio, who has come second in many of the recent contests, rolled out a series of stinging attacks against Mr Trump.
"If he hadn't inherited $200m, you know where Donald Trump would be? Selling watches in Manhattan," Mr Rubio said in one tense exchange.
Analysis: Anthony Zurcher, BBC News North America reporterAnalysis: Anthony Zurcher, BBC News North America reporter
At long last the Republican candidates have come to the realisation that Donald Trump could actually win this thing, but it may be too late. At long last the Republican candidates have come to the realisation that Donald Trump can actually win this race, but it may be too late.
For more than two hours Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz took turns throwing haymakers at the New Yorker. They attacked him on business record; they blasted him on past hypocrisies; they questioned his conservative credentials; and they criticised the lack of detail in his policies and his reliance on bluster. For more than two hours, Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz took turns throwing haymakers at the New Yorker. They attacked him on his business record; they mentioned hypocrisy; they questioned his conservative credentials; and they criticised the lack of detail in his policies and his reliance on bluster.
"We're having a lot of fun up here, aren't we?" the front-runner quipped at one point. But the truth is that Mr Trump was on his heels for much of the evening."We're having a lot of fun up here, aren't we?" the front-runner quipped at one point. But the truth is that Mr Trump was on his heels for much of the evening.
The challenge for the men who would unseat the leader, however, is that the best time to bludgeon a candidate is before it's clear circumstances are forcing you have to act. In a campaign where authenticity is worshipped above all, tonight's fireworks could smack of the kind political expediency many associate with traditional politicians. The challenge for the men who would unseat the leader, however, is that the best time to bludgeon a candidate is before it's clear circumstances are forcing you to act. In a campaign where authenticity is worshipped above all, Thursday's fireworks could smack of the kind political expediency many associate with traditional politicians.
Both Mr Cruz and Mr Rubio drew blood with their attacks, but Mr Trump will likely emerge unbowed.Both Mr Cruz and Mr Rubio drew blood with their attacks, but Mr Trump will likely emerge unbowed.
Mr Rubio also criticised Mr Trump's failed online education venture, Trump University, and assailed Mr Trump for hiring foreign workers rather than Americans in his construction projects. The Republican road to the White House: In depth
Mr Trump shot back: "I hired tens of thousands of people. You've hired nobody."
The billionaire real estate mogul found himself increasingly on the defensive about his business dealings, his conservative credentials and his support for Israel.
In other debate highlights:
The Republican road to the White House - in depth
Five ways Trump can still be stopped - Unlikely ways other Republicans can get out frontFive ways Trump can still be stopped - Unlikely ways other Republicans can get out front
What makes Super Tuesday super? - The long day of voting explainedWhat makes Super Tuesday super? - The long day of voting explained
The Republicans who hate Trump - Lifelong members of the party speak outThe Republicans who hate Trump - Lifelong members of the party speak out
The stakes have been raised for the candidates. Next Tuesday, known as Super Tuesday, millions of voters in 11 states will cast ballots in the Republican race. Rubio's onslaught
A quarter of the total numbers of delegates needed to the secure the nomination will be up for grabs that day. Mr Rubio, who has come second in many of the recent contests, mounted a series of attacks against Mr Trump.
Mr Rubio and Mr Cruz are under tremendous pressure unseat Mr Trump before his lead becomes insurmountable. He is current leading in 10 out of 11 states holding contests on Super Tuesday. "If he hadn't inherited $200m, you know where Donald Trump would be? Selling watches in Manhattan," Mr Rubio said in one tense exchange.
Mr Trump has been extremely popular despite his controversial comments about deporting millions of undocumented workers and banning Muslims from travelling to the United States. Mr Rubio also criticised Mr Trump's failed online education venture, Trump University, and assailed him for hiring foreign workers rather than Americans in his construction projects.
Mr Trump shot back: "I hired tens of thousands of people. You've hired nobody."
The billionaire real estate mogul found himself increasingly on the defensive about his business dealings, his conservative credentials and his support for Israel.
In other exchanges:
Next Tuesday, known as Super Tuesday, millions of voters in 11 states will cast ballots in the Republican race.
A quarter of the total numbers of delegates needed to secure the nomination will be up for grabs that day.
Mr Trump is currently leading in 10 out of 11 states holding contests on Super Tuesday.
The billionaire has been extremely popular despite his controversial comments about deporting millions of undocumented workers and banning Muslims from travelling to the US.
After four primary and caucus competitions, Mr Trump has 82 Republican party delegates, Mr Cruz has 17 and Mr Rubio has 16. To become the Republican party's nominee, a candidate has to have 1,237 total state delegates.After four primary and caucus competitions, Mr Trump has 82 Republican party delegates, Mr Cruz has 17 and Mr Rubio has 16. To become the Republican party's nominee, a candidate has to have 1,237 total state delegates.
Each party formally announces their presidential candidate at conventions in July, four months before the presidential election.Each party formally announces their presidential candidate at conventions in July, four months before the presidential election.
Key dates to comeKey dates to come
27 February - South Carolina primary (D)27 February - South Carolina primary (D)
1 March - 'Super Tuesday' - 15 states or territories decide1 March - 'Super Tuesday' - 15 states or territories decide
18-21 July - Republican convention, nominee picked18-21 July - Republican convention, nominee picked
25-28 July - Democratic convention, nominee picked25-28 July - Democratic convention, nominee picked
8 November - US presidential elections8 November - US presidential elections
In depth: Primary calendarIn depth: Primary calendar