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Debate Preview

By W. James Antle, III on 10.18.11 @ 5:28PM

Tonight will be the eighth Republican presidential debate. All of the usual suspects will gather in Las Vegas, except for Jon Huntsman, who is boycotting the event in solidarity with the New Hampshire Republican Party (more on that later, though if Huntsman's poll numbers and finances don't improve, his non-appearance could be a harbinger of things to come).

Mitt Romney and Herman Cain will both be targeted throughout, though Romney has been difficult to throw off his game in previous debates. Cain will be under scrutiny for his 9-9-9 tax plan and his fuzzy foreign policy knowledge as the other conservative candidates -- and perhaps Romney? -- try to deal with his rapid rise in the polls.

Rick Perry is facing another now-or-never moment, since his underwhelming performance in recent debates has threatened to drop him from the top tier. But it's hard to count Perry out entirely even if he does poorly, because has raised significant funds. Nevertheless, he is running out of time to make a good impression.

In the background, there is the drama between New Hampshire and Nevada over the timing of their contests. New Hampshire would like Nevada to move back its caucuses from Jan. 14 to Jan. 17. Nevada so far isn't budging. Huntsman, who is banking on a decent performance in New Hampshire to stay in the race, isn't even showing up at the debate. But Cain, Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, and Rick Santorum have also promised to boycott the caucuses if they aren't moved back.

This puts Mitt Romney and Ron Paul in an awkward position. Romney is hoping to win both states and doesn't want to alienate either. Paul also has a significant following in both states. In 2008, Romney won the caucuses while Paul finished a distant second.

I'll be providing some commentary during and after the debate. Presumably others will join in.

View all comments (8) | Leave a comment

Casey Abell| 10.18.11 @ 6:26PM

Major news just before the debate: Stephen Moore, who helped design 9-9-9, now says the national sales tax is gone form the plan. In a interview with National Review, no less. He doesn't expect Cain to come off the tax completely tonight in the debate, but that flipping tax looks like a goner sooner rather than later.

http://www.nationalreview.com/.....rew-stiles

Casey Abell| 10.18.11 @ 6:29PM

Man, I'm typing too fast. Should be gone "from" the plan. And it's "an" interview.

C Bowen| 10.18.11 @ 6:52PM

Mr. Antle,

Paul's plan to cut $1 trillion from the budget in year one/balance in three, by doing traditional Republican platform things like eliminate departments, has been well received even from neocon/establishment con radio types (Rush/Hannity)-- do you have a feel if it will get any play tonight, or will it be ignored?

W. James Antle III| 10.18.11 @ 8:38PM

So far it has been ignored, but Ron Paul did a very nice job of bringing it up himself.

Clint| 10.18.11 @ 8:37PM

Herman Cain Got His Ass Handed To Him.

Margie| 10.18.11 @ 11:10PM

No he didn't. What he got was attacks by wanna-be's.
LOL. He's in it for the long haul. He is a working man who will adjust his plan, fine tune it and win.
You'll see him win, heh.
The Country Class is rooting for him.

Clint| 10.19.11 @ 1:13AM

Cain's 9-9-9 Is Dead Dead Dead In The Water.
His FED Gumba, Rich Lowrie Drew Up An Economic Loser Plan.

It's A Non-Starter.

Conservatives Will Never Allow Big Government To Have A National Sales Tax & An Income Tax.

The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here.

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