Takeaways from the Republican presidential debate in Iowa

Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump participates in a Fox News Channel town hall ahead of the caucus vote in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., January 10, 2024. REUTERS/Scott Morgan

DES MOINES, Iowa (Reuters) -Republican rivals Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley jockeyed on Wednesday to emerge as the clear alternative to frontrunner Donald Trump just days before voting in the presidential primary race kicks off in Iowa.

Here are takeaways from their first head-to-head debate: