GOP presidential debate: What to watch for

Eight Republican presidential candidates will gather tonight at 8 p.m. at Oakland University in Michigan for their tenth debate of the primary season.

In a Monday, Nov. 7, 2011 photo, students walk past the front entrance of the O'Rena at Oakland University, in Auburn Hills, Mich., as it is being prepared for Wednesday's GOP presidential debate. (AP Photo/Oakland Press, Vaughn Gurganian)We’ll be live-blogging the proceedings — natch! — but thought we’d provide a viewer’s guide to keep you occupied in the hours before things get started in earnest.

 

Here’s our take on what to watch for in tonight’s debate:

* Controversy, thy name is Cain: The biggest story (duh) in the time since the last GOP debate way back on Oct. 18 has been the sexual harassment allegations swirling around businessman Herman Cain.

While the CNBC debate is centered on economic issues, it’s impossible for the moderators not to bring up the controversy and let Cain address it. He’ll almost certainly repeat what he said at his press conference on Tuesday: that he denies all of the allegations against him and that it is a “Democrat machine” that is pushing them.

The real x-factor is whether any of Cain’s rivals go after him on his pat answer and, if so, whom?

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney called the allegations “very serious” on Tuesday but seems unlikely to be the first person to launch an attack on Cain — hoping to continue to stay above the fray and keep the focus on President Obama and the economy.

The best bet to throw the first punch at Cain is Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann who has already hinted at her line of attack — “There are no surprises with me,” she has said (subtle Radiohead reference?) — and badly needs to peel away social conservative supporters for Cain. Another potential puncher is former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum who has shown a penchant for mixing it up in past get-togethers.

CNBC (officially the Consumer News and Business Channel until 1991) is a satellite and cable television business news channel in the U.S., owned and operated by NBC Universal. The network and its international spinoffs cover business headlines and provide live coverage of financial markets. The combined reach of CNBC and its siblings is 390 million viewers around the world. In 2007, the network was ranked as the 19th most valuable cable channel in the U.S., worth roughly $4 billion. It is headquartered in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.
A live video stream from outside the debate at Oakland University in Rochester Michigan is giving anyone and everyone an opportunity to says what’s on his or her mind.

• Michele Bachmann: Obama's Wall Street Paradox Dodd-Frank has badly burdened American business. » Learn More About Michele Bachmann » michelebachmann.com

• Herman Cain The candidate did not respond to request for an Op-Ed submission. » Learn More About Herman Cain » hermancain.com

• Newt Gingrich: Restoring Booming Economic Growth to America My plan slashes runaway regulatory burdens that are killing jobs. » Learn More About Newt Gingrich » newt.org

• Jon Huntsman: Rebuilding Our Nation's Manufacturing Muscle We will create a tax code that is flatter, fairer, and simpler. » Learn More About Jon Huntsman » jon2012.com

• Ron Paul: An Ambitious 'Plan to Restore America' We have drifted far from our founding principles. » Learn More About Ron Paul » ronpaul2012.com

• Rick Perry: Fixing Washington Requires a Sledgehammer The fleecing of the American taxpayer will end when I am president. » Learn More About Rick Perry » rickperry.org

• Mitt Romney: Obama Has Failed Michigan I would eliminate taxes on dividends and capital gains for middle-income taxpayers. » Learn More About Mitt Romney » mittromney.com

• Rick Santorum The candidate did not respond to request for an Op-Ed submission. » Learn More About Rick Santorum » ricksantorum.com

http://www.cnbc.com/id/44932660

 

 

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