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WATCH: Trump-less GOP Forum Serves as Debate Preview

WATCH: Trump-less GOP Forum Serves as Debate Preview

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Rachel Maddow breaks down the Voters First Forum event, seen as a peaceful precursor to the much-anticipated Republican presidential debate.

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As political followers eagerly await Thursday's Fox News debate in Cleveland -- viewed as a possible sideshow starring leading Republican candidate Donald Trump -- they enjoyed a prelude with the Voters First Forum in New Hampshire.

The Monday event, sponsored by the New Hampshire Union Leader, featured 11 GOP candidates in person and three via satellite. On her MSNBC show, Rachel Maddow described the forum as mostly a bust, with candidates quickly pushed onto and then shoved off the stage. The audience could not interact with the candidates and was not allowed to applaud or boo. The event was sparsely attended, with many empty seats in the venue.

U.S. senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina may have made the biggest impression in his short time onstage.

"And as to Hillary Clinton, the last person in the world you want to send into the ring of the Russians is Hillary Clinton," he said. "As to the Clintons, I've been dealing with this crowd for 20 years. I'm fluent in Clinton-speak. Do you want me to translate? When Bill says 'I didn't have sex with that woman,' he did. When she says 'I'll tell you about building the pipeline when I become president,' she won't."

Notable absences at the Voters First Forum included antigay former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and businessman Donald Trump, who leads the Republican field, according to polls. Trump will participate in Thursday's event, though.

Watch Maddow's report below:

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Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.
Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.