Trump, GOP rivals ready to rumble in crucial debate

MIAMI (AP) — Donald Trump promised a softer side as he and his three remaining Republican rivals prepared to square off Thursday night in their final debate before next week's all-important big-state presidential primaries.

Each of the candidates had an urgent mission as the Miami GOP debate gave them one last chance to put their case to a televised audience of millions before voters in Florida and four other states dish out a trove of delegates Tuesday.

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said in advance he was hoping for a more "G-rated debate" than the last Republican face-off, a week ago, when the candidates engaged in a two-hour brawl that featured shouting, insults and even sexual innuendo.

President Barack Obama, offering political commentary from the sidelines, said the party was going through a "Republican crackup" that had taken on the tone of a "circus."

Earlier Thursday, Cruz intensified his efforts to coalesce the anti-Trump vote, and showcased his first Senate endorsement, from Mike Lee of Utah, a tea party conservative.

Several in the GOP also hold Cruz responsible for helping to engineer the 16-day partial government shutdown in 2013 in an unrealistic effort to force Obama to back down on his health care law.