Chris Christie Back on GOP Debate Main Stage as Rand Paul Hangs on by Thread

Two of the GOP presidential contenders are already winning big in Las Vegas.

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New Jersey Governor Chris Christie gained spot back on the main stage in the next Republican primary debate, while Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul protected his entry with a last-minute poll performance, CNN announced Sunday.

Front-runner Donald Trump will once again take center stage during the main debate with four candidates on either side of him, the host network for Tuesday's debate said. Neurosurgeon Ben Carson and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz will be directly next to the former reality show star, while Ohio Gov. John Kasich, and Paul are positioned on the outskirts.

Paul held on to his seat in the main debate due to a Sunday Fox News poll that placed him 5th in Iowa.

Paul, who had been fighting to stay away from the earlier "kids' table" debate, was quick to tweet about the results, saying they were just "another reason" he should be in the larger debate.

Placement into the debate and podium order is determined by averaging national polls from November and December, according to CNN.

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FOR SUBSCRIBERSA sluggish Congress punts a long list of tasks until after the election

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Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham and former New York Gov. George Pataki will debate earlier at 6 p.m. ET Tuesday, and the main debate will be held at 8:30 p.m.