DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Republican presidential candidates gathered in Iowa are avoiding attacks on Donald Trump, instead focusing their fire on President Barack Obama.
The seven candidates have taken on a cordial tone, almost universally agreeing about need to protect religious liberty during a forum put on by an evangelical conservative group. But they are differing in style and tone as potential commanders in chief in light of the last week’s Paris attacks by the Islamic State.
In attendance are Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and former technology executive Carly Fiorina.
Christian conservative voters wield influence in the Iowa caucuses because they tend to be organized and motivated.