Rubio Slams Trump, Cruz For Debate Boycott ‘Sideshow’

Republican presidential candidate, businessman Donald Trump speaks as Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., looks on during the Fox Business Network Republican presidential debate at the North ... Republican presidential candidate, businessman Donald Trump speaks as Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., looks on during the Fox Business Network Republican presidential debate at the North Charleston Coliseum, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, in North Charleston, S.C. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) MORE LESS
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Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) on Wednesday issued a statement criticizing presidential rivals Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) for turning their participation—or lack thereof—in the upcoming GOP debate into a “sideshow.”

Trump said late Tuesday that he would not take part in the Fox News debate scheduled for Thursday. Cruz then challenged Trump to a “mano-a-mano” confrontation.

Rubio said the debates were important and that his rivals’ “theatrics” were nothing more than a distracting, “entertaining sideshow.”

Here’s the full statement from Rubio’s communications director:

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