The fight for 2nd place takes center stage at Republican debate in Iowa: What we're watching

The Republican presidential field has winnowed dramatically as two of the top contenders prepare to take the debate stage in Des Moines Wednesday for a final, high-stakes meeting five days before the Iowa Caucuses.

With former president Donald Trump again refusing to participate, only Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley will appear. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie did not qualify.

The debate will air at 8 p.m. Central on CNN, and Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate. Here's what we'll be watching.

The fight for second place takes center stage at Drake University

It's been a battle for second place in Iowa for months as DeSantis and Haley fight to emerge as the strongest competitor to front-runner Trump. Wednesday's debate will, for the first time, put them in a one-on-one debate that could have true stakes for caucus night.

With just a few days before caucusing begins, there will be little time for the candidates to clean up any missteps they might have on stage or counter any standout moments from their competitor.

DeSantis has focused much of his attention on Haley over the past weeks, criticizing her recent gaffes about the role of slavery played in causing Civil War as well as New Hampshire's ability to "correct" Iowa's caucus outcomes. He's railed against her as a "phony" who can't attract real conservatives.

For Iowa caucusgoers, who tend to be more conservative than primary voters in New Hampshire, that message could be a real liability.

More: What to know about the Republican presidential primary debate in Iowa on January 10

But Haley, who recently launched a TV ad titled "Grit and Grace," will likely be trying to show off both in an effort to attract Republicans tired of the "chaos" that she says follows Trump everywhere he goes while holding firm against a DeSantis onslaught.

She's proven to be a tough debater in earlier rounds, and she's been able to use Ramaswamy as a foil — can she do the same with DeSantis?

How much attention can Donald Trump steal away?

Donald Trump is repeating a play pulled straight from his 2016 campaign. That year, as his Republican rivals gathered to debate at the Iowa Events Center, Trump held a competing rally just a few miles away on the Drake University campus.

This week, the GOP front-runner will participate in a primetime Fox News town hall live from Des Moines as his opponents debate. That town hall will be co-moderated by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.

So, will Iowa's likely caucusgoers be tuning in to Fox News or CNN that night? And if they tune into the debate, how much of the conversation will be about Trump? Both Haley and DeSantis have gone after Trump with a bit more force in recent weeks, but it's still left critics wondering why they aren't training more of their firepower on Trump himself.

In past debates, some of Trump's opponents such as Christie have criticized him for skipping the event. But so far, Iowa's likely GOP caucusgoers aren't punishing Trump for the decision.

According to an October Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom Iowa Poll, 57% said it does not matter whether Trump participates in a debate before the Jan. 15 caucus. Another 42% said they think Trump should participate in at least one debate before caucus night. One percent said they weren't sure.

More: Is Trump wrong to skip the presidential debates? What GOP caucusgoers told our Iowa Poll

What Iowa issues will get talked about?

In previous years when Iowa has hosted presidential debates, it's presented an opportunity for the moderators and the candidates to hone in on Iowa-specific issues.

Will any niche Iowa topics make it into the conversation?

Proposed carbon capture pipelines and the possibility of using eminent domain to build them continues to divide Iowa Republicans as entrenched interests such as ethanol and biofuels collide with conversations about property rights.

Iowa agriculture could also be an important focus on conversation, particularly as Iowa farmers think about expanding trade opportunities in the face of increased tensions with China.

Rural America has yet to take on a major focus in previous debates, but issues around access to mental health care, broadband internet and child care could all be areas of conversation ripe for discussion.

Vivek Ramaswamy to appear on podcast, Chris Christie is MIA in Iowa

Ramaswamy is set to hold a contrasting event of his own, appearing on a live town hall for "Timcast," a podcast hosted by Tim Poole. He'll be joined by conservative commentator Candace Owens. The event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Christie, who has yet to campaign in Iowa, will continue his streak of avoiding the first-in-the-nation caucus state as he focuses on New Hampshire.

Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Who is in GOP debate tonight? What to watch in Iowa with Haley vs. DeSantis