With it now looking unlikely that the NewsMax/Donald Trump debate will actually come off, tonight’s ABC/Yahoo (9pm EST) debate will likely be the last before Iowans go to the caucuses to divvy up their apportionment of delegates to the Republican National Convention. With the winter holidays looming, tonight will be the last chance to make a big impression. The common wisdom is that Mitt Romney’s campaign is tanking and that he’s at risk of failing if he doesn’t go massively negative on Newt Gingrich tonight.
Jon Huntsman didn’t qualify for this debate, and Herman Cain is gone, so the remaining candidates will have a little more time to talk. Santorum and Bachmann can have an impact on how the debate turns out. Who will they choose to attack?
Ron Paul is up with some rather nasty anti-Gingrich ads in Iowa. Will he follow them up with a blistering assault on the Newtster?
Can Rick Perry remember his lines and stay above the fray while his opponents drive up each other’s negatives?
And will Newt stay positive, composed, supremely smug and self-confident? Can anyone get under his skin?
Here’s a hint: insult his intelligence, not his integrity. He doesn’t care about his integrity, but it’s desperately important to him that people think he’s smart. Call him a half-wit and a moron and he’ll lose his shit.
As for the rest, I hope you have better things to do on a Saturday night than watch these assholes debate. But, if you’re around, tell us what you think.
