GOP Presidential Debate Watch: Republicans Get Ready to Square Off

Republicans square off in US presidential debate

Ten Republican presidential hopefuls trade their first face-to-face shots in a debut 2008 campaign debate Thursday, courting core conservatives in the symbolic shadow of party icon
Ronald Reagan.

A week after Democratic counterparts opened their debate season, the packed Republican field will gather at the former president’s library in California, a gruelling nine months before first votes are cast for the nomination.

“There’s a lot at stake … no Republican has established himself as a viable nominee,” said Allan Lichtman, a professor at American University.

“If any of these candidates can establish himself, it can shake up the race quite a bit.”

Former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani, running a campaign rooted in his leadership during the September 11 attacks in 2001, will be in the crosshairs as he tries to shield his clear early lead in opinion polls.

An average of recent polls puts Giuliani at around 33 percent of likely Republican voters, well clear of his closest rival, Senator John McCain .

McCain, once viewed as the clear favorite of the Republican establishment, must use Thursday’s debate to shore up his bid after a tepid start and a lacklustre showing in the multi-million dollar fundraising stakes.

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney will relish the exposure before a national US television audience, while lesser candidates will hope to break out from the pack.

But analysts said, given the size of the field, stuffed with little known longshot candidates, and the absence of some likely key contenders, a decisive development was unlikely so early in the race.

“There may be a jab here or there, but I see it more as a first round, they’re not necessarily going to go for the knock-out blow,” said David Corbin, of the University of New Hampshire.

Nancy Reagan will attend the event as well as her guest, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Flap will be at the Giuliani event and will live blog the debate.

Looks like the Democrat National Committee isn’t waiting until tomorrow to open up on the candidates. Check out this 42 page briefing book.

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