Donald Trump was back, Carly Fiorina was out, excluded by the rules, and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida was drawing attacks after his strong showing in Iowa.
The GOP presidential candidates were on stage Saturday night for the final debate before the New Hampshire primary, where some of the Republicans must do well if they are to continue. Trump, who finished second behind Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas in the Iowa caucuses, returned after skipping the last debate.
Here are some of the liveliest moments of the evening.
GETTING ON STAGE
The debate got off to an awkward start as Dr. Ben Carson hesitated going onto the stage even as he was waved on. Trump lingered with Carson until they both entered, but then Kasich was left behind. A few minutes later Carson made a reference to expecting to be introduced second.
A STUMP SPEECH
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie quickly attacked Rubio, lambasting him for failing to make a single decision of consequence in the U.S. Senate and mocking him for giving his “30-second” prepared speech. Memorized speeches don’t get the snow plowed or help rebuild a state destroyed by Superstorm Sandy, he said.
Rubio rejoined by telling Christie he had to be shamed into returning to New Jersey from New Hampshire during the recent blizzard. And he brought up New Jersey’s credit rating, downgraded nine times since Christie became governor.
But Rubio also repeated himself several times with comments criticizing President Barack Obama.
"WASHINGTON ETHICS"
Carson was asked about messages sent by Cruz’s campaign just before the Iowa caucuses, claiming falsely that Carson was leaving the race.
“I’m not going to use this opportunity to savage the reputation of Senator Cruz,” he said.
Carson said he owed it to his volunteers, one of whom died in a traffic accident in Iowa, to stay in the competition. And he added that he was disappointed in the display of what he called “Washington ethics” — doing what is needed to do to win, not what is right.
Cruz apologized again for what his campaign had done, and blamed CNN for reporting that Carson was taking a break from his campaign.
Carson responded that CNN’s initial tweet was quickly corrected in a second tweet. Voters can make their own judgement, he said.
"TOUGH GUY"
Trump and Bush got into a disagreement over eminent domain, the process by which the government can take private property for public good. Trump defended it as a way to build roads and schools.
Bush countered with a jab at Trump's attempt to take a woman’s house in Atlantic City to use as a parking lot for limousines, next to one of his casinos.
Bush wants to be “a tough guy,” Trump snapped.
The woman ended up keeping her home.
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