Good Wednesday afternoon! Here is your guide to what’s looks like it’s going to be a very exciting debate tonight:
Tonight’s debates will be hosted by CNBC: There is the “undercard” debate at 6pm and the “main” debate at 8pm.
First off why is this debate such a big deal? So far there have been two debates which have shifted the standing of the candidates. Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker both dropped out of the race for the nomination following the debates but no one else has.
Following one Democratic Debate former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb and former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee dropped out.
But now the candidates who have tried to break out and become the front-runner, or at least leap frog a few spots, are low on cash and have barely changed their standings in the polls. That means for many of them they need a strong performance to stay in the race. Notably former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush who has dropped to fifth place, and has one of the lowest favorability ratings of the candidates, will need a strong performance tonight,
Bush will probably be asked about his struggling campaign, he cut some of the pay for workers across the country and has been struggling to gain any traction. Recently in a slideshow to donors, the campaign said that Florida Sen. Marco Rubio was the “GOP Obama,” that will most likely come up given that Rubio considered Bush to be his mentor.
Many have said that Bush will have to go on the offensive tonight to make a splash big enough to breath some new energy into his campaign so expect a more fiery Bush on stage. Probably a little less apologetic and a little more like Donald Trump.
Speaking of Donald Trump, he will most definitely be on the offensive tonight as three recent polls have shown his lead slipping in Iowa and one poll shows him in second place nationwide.
Analysts have speculated that Trump’s support of eminent domain along with claiming credit for Ford Motor Company’s decision to move an assembly plant back to the U.S. have hurt him politically. So far Trump has said he just does not understand why he’s dipped in the polls, and has gone on the offensive against Ben Carson who has overtaken him in the polls.
So look for a very interesting dynamic between the bombastic Trump and the more reserved Carson.
Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas) and Marco Rubio will try to convince viewers that they are the most conservative alternative to the front-runners and try to win over those who support Trump or Carson. That being said don’t expect anything big from them tonight. Most likely they’ll answer questions, avoid engaging with Trump or Bush, and try to look very presidential and conservative.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich will most likely echo his discontent with Trump and fighting between the candidates that has really begun to break out lately.
Also be prepared for another confrontation between Rand Paul and Chris Christie again, you never know what will happen with those two on the stage together. During the first debate, they engaged in a shouting match over privacy and the Patriot Act.
The moderators will also probably ask the candidates about the recent budget deal in Congress and how if elected president they would handle a similar situation. The Benghazi hearings may come up too.
You can follow our live tweeting of tonight’s debate: @thebradlo
And be sure to check out our post-debate analysis which should be posted within the hour after the last debate!
Tonight’s debates will be hosted by CNBC: There is the “undercard” debate at 6pm and the “main” debate at 8pm.
First off why is this debate such a big deal? So far there have been two debates which have shifted the standing of the candidates. Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker both dropped out of the race for the nomination following the debates but no one else has.
Following one Democratic Debate former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb and former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee dropped out.
But now the candidates who have tried to break out and become the front-runner, or at least leap frog a few spots, are low on cash and have barely changed their standings in the polls. That means for many of them they need a strong performance to stay in the race. Notably former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush who has dropped to fifth place, and has one of the lowest favorability ratings of the candidates, will need a strong performance tonight,
Bush will probably be asked about his struggling campaign, he cut some of the pay for workers across the country and has been struggling to gain any traction. Recently in a slideshow to donors, the campaign said that Florida Sen. Marco Rubio was the “GOP Obama,” that will most likely come up given that Rubio considered Bush to be his mentor.
Many have said that Bush will have to go on the offensive tonight to make a splash big enough to breath some new energy into his campaign so expect a more fiery Bush on stage. Probably a little less apologetic and a little more like Donald Trump.
Speaking of Donald Trump, he will most definitely be on the offensive tonight as three recent polls have shown his lead slipping in Iowa and one poll shows him in second place nationwide.
Analysts have speculated that Trump’s support of eminent domain along with claiming credit for Ford Motor Company’s decision to move an assembly plant back to the U.S. have hurt him politically. So far Trump has said he just does not understand why he’s dipped in the polls, and has gone on the offensive against Ben Carson who has overtaken him in the polls.
So look for a very interesting dynamic between the bombastic Trump and the more reserved Carson.
Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas) and Marco Rubio will try to convince viewers that they are the most conservative alternative to the front-runners and try to win over those who support Trump or Carson. That being said don’t expect anything big from them tonight. Most likely they’ll answer questions, avoid engaging with Trump or Bush, and try to look very presidential and conservative.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich will most likely echo his discontent with Trump and fighting between the candidates that has really begun to break out lately.
Also be prepared for another confrontation between Rand Paul and Chris Christie again, you never know what will happen with those two on the stage together. During the first debate, they engaged in a shouting match over privacy and the Patriot Act.
The moderators will also probably ask the candidates about the recent budget deal in Congress and how if elected president they would handle a similar situation. The Benghazi hearings may come up too.
You can follow our live tweeting of tonight’s debate: @thebradlo
And be sure to check out our post-debate analysis which should be posted within the hour after the last debate!