7th Republican debate
The Republican candidates - minus Trump - meet for a final debate in Des Moines ahead of the Iowa caucuses, Jan. 28, 2016. The Democratic and Republican Iowa Caucuses, the first step in nominating a presidential candidate from each party, will take place on Feb. 1.
In this photo: (L-R) Senator Rand Paul, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Dr. Ben Carson, Senator Ted Cruz, Senator Marco Rubio, former Gov. Jeb Bush and Gov. John Kasich pose together onstage at the start of the debate held by Fox News for the top 2016 U.S. Republican presidential candidates in Des Moines, January 28, 2016.
GOP debate in Iowa
Marco Rubio (R) said Ted Cruz (L) will say or do anything in order to get votes.
Donald Trump, who is leading most polls in the state, decided not to participate in the debate.
Chris Christie
Chris Christie declared, "Stop the Washington bull and let's get things done!"
Rand Paul
Rand Paul said, "On the broader question of religion in politics, I think liberty itself requires a virtuous people...without the religious foundation that guides us all I think we have a great risk of going in the wrong direction," he said.
Jeb Bush
Jeb Bush said the "first duty" of the next president will be to "fix the mess of the Department of Veterans' Affairs" in Des Moines, January 28, 2016.
GOP debate in Iowa
Ted Cruz, left, Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush listen to a question from moderator Chris Wallace during the debate.
Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz said that as president he would honor every commitment he makes to the American people.
Megyn Kelly
Fox News Channel anchor and debate moderator Megyn Kelly is seen on a video screen in the debate hall.
In tweets and interviews Trump complained about Kelly telling George Stephanopoulos, "I don't think she's professional at all," adding "She's very biased against me." Trump refused to participate in the final debate because of the feud.
Chris Christie & Ben Carson
Ben Carson speaks as Chris Christie listens in Des Moines.
Carson told the audience, "You don't have to be a politician to tell the truth."
Chris Christie
A network artist touches up the makeup of Chris Christie during a commercial break.
John Kasich
When asked about the Flint, Michigan water crisis, John Kasich responded, "I know there are people who have been fired, people who are being held accountable, but the fact is every single engine of government has to move when you see a crisis like that."
GOP debate in Iowa
People sit in the audience at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.
Ted Cruz & Marco Rubio
Ted Cruz (L) looks on as Marco Rubio speaks in Des Moines on January 28, 2016.
In eluding to Donald Trump's absence from the debate, Rubio told the moderators, "Don't worry I'm not leaving the stage no matter what you ask me."
Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio picked up laughs from the audience when he said, "I think Bernie sanders is a good candidate for president. Of Sweden."
Jeb Bush
Jeb Bush (L) speaks as Ohio Gov. John Kasich looks on in Des Moines on January 28, 2016.
GOP debate in Iowa
(L-R) Rand Paul, Chris Christie, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush and John Kasich participate in the debate in Des Moines, January 28, 2016.
Rand Paul
Rand Paul said Ted Cruz has an "authenticity problem" because he suggests he's the only person who opposes amnesty.
GOP debate in Iowa
Ted Cruz (R) listens to rival and Senator Rand Paul (L) as seen on a video screen in the debate hall in Des Moines, January 28, 2015.
Chris Chistie
Christie, when asked to name something he would cut entirely from the federal budget, responded, "How about one I've done in New Jersey for the last six years and that's get rid of Planned Parenthood funding."
GOP debate in Iowa
FOX news hosts look on during the Republican Presidential debate sponsored by Fox News at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines on January 28, 2016
GOP debate in Iowa
Republican U.S. presidential candidates (L-R) U.S. Senator Rand Paul, Chris Christie, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush and John Kasich stand at their podiums at the start of the debate in Des Moines, January 28, 2016.
GOP debate in Iowa
(L-R) Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush pose together at the start of the debate in Des Moines, January 28, 2015.
Ted Cruz
Senator Ted Cruz arrives onstage at the start of the debate in Des Moines, January 28, 2015.
Protests in Iowa
Demonstrators protest outside Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Des Moines, Iowa before the Republican presidential debate, January 28, 2016.
Protests in Iowa
Demonstrators set up signs outside the Republican presidential debate in Des Moines, January 28, 2016.
GOP debate in Iowa
(L-R) Rick Santorum, Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee and Jim Gilmore pose for photographers prior to the Fox News - Google GOP Debate Jan. 28, 2016 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.
GOP debate in Iowa
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (L) listens to former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore speak at a forum for the lower polling candidates in Des Moines, Jan. 28, 2016.
Carly Fiorina
Former HP CEO Carly Fiorina speaks during a forum for the lower polling candidates in Des Moines, January 28, 2016.
Mike Huckabee
When moderators asked why his message wasn't resonating with voters, Huckabee argued that it's not that his message isn't resonating, but that it's not getting out.
Jim Gilmore
Moderators asked Jim Gilmore about gun control and the second amendment. Gilmore said that he's a board member of the NRA because he believes Americans can be trusted with guns.
Rick Santorum
Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum stands offstage during a break in the midst of a forum for the lower polling candidates in Des Moines, Jan. 28, 2016.
GOP debate in Iowa
Former HP CEO Carly Fiorina listens as former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee speaks during a forum for the lower polling candidates in Des Moines, Jan. 28, 2016.
Mike Huckabee
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee speaks at a forum for the lower polling candidates in Des Moines, Jan. 28, 2016.
GOP debate in Iowa
Presidential candidates (L-R) former Senator Rick Santorum, former HP CEO Carly Fiorina and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee shake hands at the conclusion of a forum for the lower polling candidates in Des Moines, Jan. 28, 2016.
Mike Huckabee
Republican Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee holds a young girl after the undercard Republican Presidential debate in Des Moines on Jan. 28, 2016.
GOP debate in Iowa
Rick Santorum visits the spin room after finishing his Republican Presidential debate sponsored by Fox News and Google at the Iowa Events Center on January 28, 2016 in Des Moines.