Some Republican presidential hopefuls are pushing hard just for the chance to seize the stage in their party's primary debate next month. But the impact of the event may be limited if their top rival, former President Donald Trump, is a no-show. Reagan skipped a GOP debate in Iowa in 1980, but caught flak for the decision and participated in a later debate in the cycle. Trump himself skipped a primary debate in 2016, opting instead to hold a campaign event nearby. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas experienced something of that kind during the 2016 debate that Trump skipped, according to a post-debate poll of GOP insiders who rated Cruz the loser that night.

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Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, hasn't, Saul Anuzis, isn't, Ronald Reagan didn't, Reagan, it's, Ron DeSantis, Joe Biden, Anuzis, Sen, Ted Cruz, Cruz Organizations: U.S, Republican, Fox News, Michigan GOP, Trump, Florida Gov, Republican Party Locations: Washington , U.S, Milwaukee, Michigan, Iowa, Ted Cruz of Texas