Debate takeaways: Cruz, Rubio mix it up, as do Bush, Trump

Jeb Bush, right, makes a point as Ben Carson, left, Donald Trump, second from left, and Ted Cruz stand by during the CNN Republican presidential debate at the Venetian Hotel & Casino on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, in Las Vegas. Jeb Bush, right, makes a point as Ben Carson, left, Donald Trump, second from left, and Ted Cruz stand by during the CNN Republican presidential debate at the Venetian Hotel & Casino on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, in Las Vegas.

By Associated Press December 16, 2015 5 min read

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LAS VEGAS – Nine Republican presidential candidates took the stage Tuesday night for a debate that focused almost exclusively on foreign policy.

But the gathering of White House hopefuls in Las Vegas shaped up as a pair of mini-match-ups: One debateunfolded between the 44-year-old senators, Ted Cruz of Texas and Marco Rubio of Florida. And in a surprise rumble, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush went hard after billionaire real estate mogul and GOP front-runner Donald Trump.

And Trump, by the way, promised anew he’d stick with the GOP. He says he’ll pass on running as a third-party or independent candidate.

Here’s a look at those moments and some of the other key takeaways from the last GOP presidential debate of the year.