Trump's criticism of McCain overshadows issues in Iowa

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Donald Trump's criticism Saturday that Sen. John McCain isn't a war hero overshadowed his rivals' quest for support among evangelical voters at an Iowa political gathering designed to showcase their conservative views.

In their appeals to more than 2,000 religious conservatives crowded into an sports arena, Trump and other White House hopefuls urged a crackdown on illegal immigration, a forceful approach to the Islamic State group that could include ground troops, and a devotion to Christian values.

Trump's outsized role in the Republican presidential primary began last month when he described Mexican immigrants as "bringing drugs, they're bringing crime, they're rapists, and some, I assume, are good people."

Once a leading advocate for an immigration overhaul that included an eventual pathway to citizenship, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said Saturday he'd support "work permits or something like that" for immigrants in the country illegally, but only after "we bring illegal immigration under control."

The Republicans' position moves further away from GOP leaders' previous calls to embrace comprehensive immigration changes heading into a presidential election where Hispanic voters are expected to play a critical role.

On foreign policy, the candidates offered an aggressive approach to the Islamic State group, whose rise has become an increasing concern for American policy makers and a focus in the Republican presidential primary.