Trump pulls out of debate Sanders to meet with Obama

(MENAFN- Arab News) MARSHALLTOWN Iowa: Donald Trump declared he would boycott the last Republican debate before the Iowa caucuses leading Texas Sen. Ted Cruz to challenge him to a one-on-one debate. Adding intrigue to the Democratic race the White House said President Barack Obama would host Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders for an Oval Office meeting.

The dual developments created new ripples of uncertainty six days before voting in the presidential race begins. Both parties were bracing for close contests in Iowa that will determine which of their two leading candidates will carry the momentum from a victory into the New Hampshire primary the following week and beyond.
Next Monday Iowa residents will gather in schools churches and even private homes to choose among the Republican and Democratic candidates battling to be their party's 2016 presidential nominee the first in a series of state-by-state contests to choose delegates to each party's presidential nominating convention.
The Iowa caucuses will be the first test of whether political newcomer Trump's unorthodox campaign can get the thousands of enthusiastic supporters who show up at rallies to turn out when it matters. Cruz is believed to have assembled a strong get-out-the-vote operation. Sanders is counting on enthusiastic younger voters to boost turn out at the caucuses to offset Clinton's organizational strength.
Trump raised the prospect of skipping the debate as he blasted Fox News Channel for 'playing games' and including anchor Megyn Kelly as a debate moderator. Trump's campaign later said he definitely will not participate.
The race among Democrats was no more settled six days from the leadoff Iowa caucuses with Sanders and Hillary Clinton locked in a close contest and details about their debate plans unclear. But the fireworks Tuesday were on the Republican side.
Trump said he would hold his own event in Iowa during the debate to raise money for wounded veterans. The billionaire businessman dismissed Kelly as a 'third-rate reporter' who is bad at her job and had been 'toying' with him reprising a squabble that erupted after a debate Kelly co-hosted last year.
Kelly shot back on her nightly show arguing that Trump is used to getting his way but can't control the media. She said her network and CEO Roger Ailes had made it clear to Trump for months that they wouldn't change their moderator line-up.
'I'll be there' Kelly said. 'The debate will go on with or without Mr. Trump.'