Republican debate: Donald Trump defends the size of his hands, and more

Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, and John Kasich will all be on the stage starting at 9 p.m. Thursday for the debate hosted by Fox News Channel.

The bitter Trump-Rubio rivalry continued Thursday, with the ex-reality television star referring to the Florida senator as a "little guy [who] has lied so much about my record".

2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney blasted the real estate mogul as a "phony" and a "fraud" in a speech earlier today. The former MA governor said he will support Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz or John Kasich, whichever one emerges as the best bet to take down Trump.

Trump was referencing a comment made by Rubio last week that was widely seen as a reference to the businessman's sexual prowess. And you know what they say about men with small hands? "If they are small, something else must be small".

To say that numerous previous debates have been unintelligible might be an understatement, so for those of you who are looking for some substance, the candidates might actually have time to speak tonight.

He said he had changed his own mind to support admitting more highly skilled workers from overseas, adding matter-of-factly, "I'm changing". On the other hand, it allows him to pivot toward the general election by putting a more open, presidential face on what has been a demagogic primary campaign. "His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University".

"He was a failed candidate".

Asked when he would start making more clothes in the U.S., Trump said that would happen when currency valuations weren't biased against manufacturing garments in America.

Graydon Carter, the editor for the now defunct magazine, wrote in a recent Vanity Fair account that "to this day, I receive the occasional envelope from Trump".

Trump said it was simply business.

Cruz hits Trump for past support of politicians: "For 40 years, Donald has been part of the corruption you're angry about".

Trump took criticism from rivals Rubio and Cruz during a Fox News debate in Detroit.

"I hate how he insults women, people of colour, and entire countries when it suits him". After Trump repeatedly called him "Little Marco", Rubio retorted by referring to him as, "Big Don".

Clinton has attacked controversial Trump before also.

Kasich has largely steered clear of the anti-Trump effort and tried to remain above the fray. "Obviously, he wants to be relevant".

Trump addressed it himself on Thursday when he said his wife Melania asked him to be more presidential in that night's GOP debate, suggesting that it was tough to be presidential when under attack. Candidates need 1,237 delegates to win the Republican nomination.

Mr. Cruz made a plea for Republican voters to break with Mr. Trump, who he described as lifelong liberal who couldn't be trusted to stick to his conservative campaign rhetoric.