Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Combined dispatches
MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa
Donald Trump declared Tuesday he would boycott the last Republican debate before the Iowa caucuses, leading Texas Sen. Ted Cruz to challenge him to a one-on-one debate. Adding intrigue to the Democratic race, the White House said President Barack Obama would host Bernie Sanders for an Oval Office meeting.
The dual developments created a new ripple of uncertainty six days before voting in the presidential race begins. Both parties were bracing for nail-biting caucuses that will determine which of their two leading candidates will carry the whiff of victory into New Hampshire and beyond.
Trump raised the prospect of skipping the debate as he blasted Fox News Channel for “playing games” and including anchor Megyn Kelly as a debate moderator. Trump’s campaign later said he definitely will not participate.
“I said bye bye, ok?” Trump said.
The race among Democrats was no more settled six days from the leadoff Iowa caucuses, with Sanders and Hillary Clinton locked in a close contest and details about their debate plans unclear.
As Sanders left Iowa and Minnesota for his meeting with Obama today, the meeting was being watched for signs of the president’s leanings. He’s sought to avoid showing favoritism, and White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the meeting would be informal, with “no formal agenda.”
On Tuesday, Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s bid for the Republican presidential nomination got a fresh boost when the Concord Monitor backed his candidacy.
Kasich has been touting himself as a center-right alternative to the party’s more-conservative candidates. He’s hoping for a breakthrough in New Hampshire’s Feb. 9 primary.
Kasich was endorsed Monday by The Boston Globe. Also supporting him are the Nashua Telegraph, Valley News, Portsmouth Herald, Foster’s Daily Democrat and Bow Times.