Chris Wallace Ted Cruz, Clash at GOP Debate

© Rodney White, The Des Moines Register

You may not get Trump vs. Cruz, but Fox offered Wallace vs. Cruz - It's a hallmark of most debates: candidates squabbling with moderators.

And that was true Thursday night in Des Moines during the Fox News debate. After moderator Chris Wallace invoked Ted Cruz in a question to Chris Christie, Cruz asked for a chance to response following Cruz's answer.

Jeb Bush protested that Cruz's name hadn't been mentioned by Christie — the usual trigger for allowing another candidate a rebuttal. Wallace agreed.

Cruz continued to ask for time, but Wallace held his line in an exchange that grew testy.

“You don’t get 30 seconds to respond to me," Wallace told Cruz.

Later, Wallace recognized Cruz, who was not pleased with the recent round of questions, rattling off how candidates had been set up to go after him (“Jeb, please attack Ted.")

“It is a debate, sir," Wallace deadpanned.

Cruz then hinted he might play his trump card (pun very much intended), saying if he was asked one more "mean question" that "may have to leave the stage."