Ted Cruz likely to have new role in debate: rivals’ main target

LAS VEGAS — Republican insiders have been brainstorming ways to block Donald Trump. Alas, for them, the only rival who’s managed to put a scare into Trump so far is Sen. Ted Cruz.

With Cruz sailing past Trump in Iowa polls, it’s a good bet that at Tuesday night’s GOP debate in Las Vegas, Trump will try to swat down the tea party Texan who for months has served as his biggest ally in the GOP field.

The odds also are high that other candidates will treat Cruz as the main target, including Sen. Marco Rubio, who’s already been tangling with Cruz. Others who are gasping for attention and survival may have little choice but to pile on.

What happens in Vegas could scramble the 2016 contest.

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