Expectations are high for tonight’s debate, so let’s discuss what might happen.
Amazingly, tonight looks like it may be the first time the frontrunner, Romney, faces serious attack. Not sure why he was given a pass until now, and even with the field suddenly realizing they’ve given Romney the advantage, it may be too late to derail what they created.
With that said, here’s what I’m looking (hoping?) for:
Let Newt be Newt
There’s nothing more frightening than an enraged Newt Gingrich. Someone described him as a suicide bomber and I find the description dead on. In Newt’s world, if Newt can’t win then nobody will. Combine that with the fact that this is personal. He’s furious with Romney and the PACs under his control. Furious enough to blow up the entire primary and the chance for a Republican to win the White House? If given the right opening tonight… you betcha.
Santorum
Santorum has done well in debates. Not sure if this is because he’s a decent debater, or simply that he was such a long shot that he didn’t get much of the spotlight. Tonight we’ll see if he thrives under the attention. There are many pitfalls in his path, but a few that jump out at me are his wanting to essentially ban contraception, stating that people with preexisting health conditions should pay more for health care, and that social security benefits should be cut for seniors already receiving benefits. He may very well find his time tonight is spent defending himself rather than going after Romney.
Romney
I expect he’ll be defending his time and his bogus job creation numbers at Bain Capital. I can only hope he trots out his “Corporations are people, my friends” line. His goal tonight should be to appear human, but I fear that is a bar too high for Mitt. He’s also going to have to face countless flip-flopping charges (all of which are true), assaults on Romneycare, and the claims that he’s a moderate. And while being a moderate may help him in New Hampshire he can’t afford to take his eye off South Carolina. It’s obvious he wants to wrap this thing up, but he’ll need those social conservatives in SC to achieve that goal. I expect Mitt will have to move further right which will hurt him in the general. He’s definitely walking a tightrope. I also doubt we’ll hear a lot about his policies due to the fact that he’ll be playing defense tonight against a field of candidates with nothing to lose. Dangerous waters, indeed.
Paul
I expect Paul will do what Paul does best. Go after everyone and highlight how he is the un-cola. In the end, Coke and Pepsi always beat 7-Up, but Paul and his supporters don’t care. Tonight I expect Paul will be pretty much the same as always with a few added attacks spread equally over all the candidates. Paul will try to help Paul, unlike Newt who is willing to blow up the entire primary.
Perry
Perry is on a redemption campaign. His only goal is to not look like an idiot… again. He’s a horrible debater and knows it. What he doesn’t know how to do is turn this weakness into a strength. Besides, tonight’s debate for Perry has nothing to do with New Hampshire and everything to do with South Carolina. Expect a lot of God, guns and gays talk from him.
Huntsman
Yawn. I still haven’t figured out why he’s still in the race. At first, I thought his goal was to run as a moderate with an eye on 2016. Then he went all climate change denier. Did he honestly think that would help him? He’s Mitt-lite, and we already know the electorate doesn’t like Mitt. I predict he will be the next one to drop out of the race. New Hampshire is his last stand. If he can’t make it there, he can’t make it anywhere.
I still think Romney will end up being the nominee, so let me state in advance tonight’s biggest loser… The Tea Party.
What do you think will happen tonight? And has everyone bought their popcorn?