At least seven GOP candidates will take the stage tonight at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, for a debate sponsored by NBC News, Politico and the Reagan Library Foundation. Originally billed as Rick Perry's debate debut, his attendance is now in question due to the expanding wildfire disaster in Texas. However, a spokesman for the Governor has indicated recently that he does plan to attend the debate.
Entire Video: Full Reagan Library GOP Debate Video
Original Air Time: Wednesday, September 7th at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT on MSNBC
Participants: Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum
Report from the Washington Post:
New polling out today supports this reading of the contest. And the truth is that the other candidates — the fringe candidates — are rapidly running out of time to change this.
If any of these remaining candidates is serious about trying to change it, we should know tomorrow night at the debate at the Reagan Library. If we see real fireworks, it will suggest that the fringe candidates are still serious about trying to win. But if we don’t see serious attacks, it will be good evidence that the fringe candidates aren’t really seeking the nomination, and that the shape of the contest has now more or less been determined.
Not all debates are equal. This one looms large for several reasons. The Reagan Library debate has become a bit of a tradition, and that, plus the ever-magic Reagan name, makes this one stand out from others in the endless series of Republican clashes. This debate is also notable because it will be new frontrunner Perry’s first time on the stage. On top of that, Barack Obama’s job speech and scheduling flap wound up pushing a bit more publicity onto the event. Put it all together, and this will probably wind up the most-hyped, and therefore most-noticed, debate up until the primaries actually start.
For the two frontrunners, Romney and Perry, the obvious debate strategy is to survive without any damage. You probably won’t see them attack each other. Indeed, Romney’s job plan is basically the kind of stuff you expect from a leading candidate: nothing too startling.
For the others, this debate is a good chance to get noticed. And the best way to get noticed is to attack. But who to attack?
Clearly the story line to watch will be the Perry/Bachmann/Romney trifecta. These three will be looking to make headlines and stand out from the pack. For Bachmann, the coming months will be crucial given her recent drop in poll numbers since Perry's entrance. For Romney, his goal will be to hit back at some of Perry's criticisms and present himself as the electable of the group who can appeal to conservative and moderate Republicans. Perry simply has to come in and either strengthen his position or at least escape unscathed to continue his lead in most GOP primary polls.
The other candidates, of course, will be looking for their breakout moments as well, however, if past debates are any indicator, don't look for Santorum, Huntsman, or Cain to take too much question time.
I think Ron Paul won the debate. He is truthful and strait foreword.
[...] ecstasy of seeing the Republicans implode in public can never be underestimated. Tonight's debate at 8 pm EST is supposed to show who can really be a front runner: Romney, Bachmann or Perry. It will most [...]
It is sad to see the direction this country is going. We have allowed the richest bank and major corporations owners the "Filthy Rich" to gain so much power, that they can control the majority of people with the media or information they give us and manipulate us to do or think the way they want us to. It's obvious the debate was set-up to lean towards a couple of nominees. Just one thing obvious to me is how they left Ron Paul out of the Health Care discussion when he is clearly the most knowlegable in this category. But they have been leaving Ron Paul out of the Mainstream for a long time now. He clearly has the most knowledge on most if not all categories of discussion. His views have been the same for many years. The other nominees seem to be adopting some of the views Ron Paul has had for many many years, because they see how his views are the best. The only thing is some of the ideas they are adopting from Ron Paul, they didn't support or have just a short while back. The Iran War debate, sure we can go bomb them, try to take out thier leaders, that may prevent casualties here in the future, but how many we will be hurting if it drains our already on the brink of disaster economy, war creates jobs, but we would have to create more money to pay the workers and hyper-inflation would be much more likely to happen. How much good will it do if it creates World War 3? What if other more powerful countries than Iran, see us as a threat, because of how we are trying to shape other countries into how or what we want them to be, and target us before they themselves are targets? We must be on the side of Peace. We have been at war for over 10 years now with countries that were barely even a threat in the first place and its ruining our economy and is Evil. You can say 9/11 was a big attack on us, but we have seen similar attacks here from our own Americans. Bombing for Peace is like having sex for Virginity. But I suppose all great nations fall because of the "Power" currency creates. What we need is a Resourced-Based economy, well have to see a great disaster with our currency system to start such a thing, although by then it may be too late. Just wiki The Venus Project to learn more on this. We as humans have to come together as one anyway, of course that would probaly mean more power for the people in charge, and most of the time a man with power becomes greedy and the poor start to seem meaningless.
In the complicated world we live in, it's good to find simple sltouions.
Nice that you make no mention of RON PAUL The debate winner in the New Hanpshire event.
The People are hip to the game, Why you omit the Name of Ron Paul in EVERY NEWS REEL AND BROADCAST!
I know why Because HE IS RIGHT- ON EVERYTHING
HERMAN CAIN IS A FEDERAL RESERVE CONFORMIST. GO RON PAUL