RTSAA4H
Donald Trump speaks as rivals Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz listen during the Republican debate broadcast by CNN at the University of Miami, Thursday, March 10, 2016. Reuters

The four remaining Republican presidential candidates met again onstage Thursday night in Miami, in a state that represents the last chance for one of them, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, to maintain viability in the race while also offering the opportunity for another, businessman Donald Trump, to build an all but insurmountable lead for the nomination.

Trump, the front-runner in the race after winning the majority of the states that have voted so far in the 2016 nominating season, was joined by Rubio, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich. Cruz has so far shown himself to be strongest Trump challenger and has won in seven of the 24 states and territories that have voted so far. Trump has won 15 of those contests and Rubio has won two.

Thursday’s debate follows a particularly rambunctious debate last week when the topic of discussion reached a particular low and Trump defended the size of his manhood on the stage in response to attacks from Rubio that he had “small hands.” The exchange was widely derided and Rubio has since pulled back on his mocking insults and said his children were embarrassed by his behavior and that he isn’t proud of the taunts.

Trump holds a healthy lead in the delegate count as the March 15 primaries approach in Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, Missouri and Illinois. He has 458 pledged delegates and is followed by Cruz, with 359, Rubio, with 151, and Kasich with 54. Rubio is banking on a win in his home state that would give him 99 delegates and shrink that delegate gap. Kasich is hoping he can do the same with Ohio's 66 delegates. Trump currently leads in polls of all of Tuesday’s contests, though he is followed closely in Ohio by Kasich.

Trump didn't back down on his statements from Wednesday that Muslims hate the United States when asked if he meant that all 1.6 billion Muslims in the world hate the U.S.

Referencing the raucous nature of many of the previous Republican debates, Trump said he "can't believe how civil it's been up here."

Rubio said Trump's plan to cut fraud in the federal government isn't enough to make Social Security solvent.

Chiming in on his plan to make Social Security solvent, Cruz said the retirement age needs to be raised for younger Americans.

Rubio, addressing a crowd that included his mother, said he's against changes to Social Security that hurt his mother. He then said that younger Americans need to retire at older ages. He would retire at 68 under his plan, he said.

Trump is seen here responding to criticism that he has businesses that manufacture products outside of the United States.

Trump said during his opening remarks that he has expanded the party and the "Republican establishment" should embrace that.

RELATED STORIES
Election 2016 Cuba Donald trump Trump