2016 Republicans use Trump, TV to make debate cut

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AMES, Iowa (AP) — Rick Perry is attacking Donald Trump’s credibility and branding the billionaire businessman “a cancer on conservatism.”

Rick Santorum is a stalwart conservative, but he popped up on a TV program popular with liberals.

Lindsey Graham set his cellphone on fire.

The first debate of the Republican presidential campaign is approaching, and the White House hopefuls are trying everything they can to improve their polling position.

To land a spot on the stage in Cleveland on Aug. 6, a candidate needs to place in the top 10 in an average of national polls. Fox News Channel has set the criteria.

Those kept out risk being overlooked by voters and financial backers as the campaigns head into the critical fall stretch before the nominating contests start early in 2016.