Smaller cast of Republican candidates to face off in debate

MILWAUKEE — A smaller cast of candidates faced off Tuesday night in the Republicans’ fourth presidential debate, with mild-mannered Ben Carson pledging to push back aggressively if challenged on the veracity of his celebrated personal story.

The debate, the last for the GOP until mid-December, could help shape the course of the campaign into the winter as voters begin to pay more attention to the White House race.

Billionaire Donald Trump has led the field for months, defying standard political logic, while experienced governors and senators have struggled to break through.

Later in the week, Politico examined Carson’s claim of having been offered a scholarship to attend the U.S. Military Academy, and the Wall Street Journal said it could not confirm anecdotes told by Carson about his high school and college years.

Carson’s campaign was active in the effort to change how the party’s debates are run after several candidates expressed unhappiness with moderators from CNBC at an event two weeks ago.

The senator is widely seen as among the most talented politicians in the GOP field, and his rise appears to have worried some of his rivals.

Bush struggled in his attempts to challenge Rubio in the last debate, though he has continued to needle him in campaign appearances, and his well-funded super PAC has signaled plans to aggressively go after the senator in the coming weeks.

Both were dropped from the top-tier debate with low poll numbers in national surveys, sparking criticism for the way networks hosting the debates have determined participation.

The debate was dominated by a running argument between Christie, who is aiming to attract moderate voters, and Jindal, who is trying to convince conservatives that moderates like Christie are untrustworthy sellouts.