"It's sort of a double-win for me: not only am I on the main stage, but we don't have to put up with a lot of empty blather and boastfulness and calling people names," Paul said Wednesday on Fox News's "Happening Now."
 
ADVERTISEMENT
"I think we'll actually have the best debate that we've had," Paul added, noting that some voters are still undecided with just days before the Iowa caucuses on Monday. 

Paul just barely made the cut for the main stage debate this week after missing the previous event. Trump, however, has decided to skip the debate and hold a competing event, citing ongoing tensions with host Fox News.

"This is a chance to really have a substantive debate on the issues. I'm looking forward to it," Paul said, noting that the other candidates on stage will have more time to speak without Trump present.

Rival candidates, including Ted Cruz and Ben Carson, have tweaked Trump for skipping the debate.

Marco Rubio has panned the "theatrics" of Trump for taking away from attention from their Democratic rivals, while Chris Christie has also said he's "glad" Trump will skip it.

"It's all the better for the country, really, as far as I'm concerned," said Paul, who has been bashing Trump for days, calling the outspoken businessman an "orange-faced windbag" and "delusional narcissist."

Tags Rand Paul Donald Trump 2016 GOP primary GOP debates