Tomorrow night, the Republican presidential candidates will take the stage once more for the fourth official debate, hosted by Fox Business and the Wall Street Journal. This time, things have been shaken up a bit, and the scene will be slightly different from what we've seen in the previous three debates.
Instead of 10 candidates, only eight qualified for the main stage: Donald Trump, with 25.3 percent; Ben Carson, with 24.5 percent; Marco Rubio with 11.8 percent; Ted Cruz, with 10.0 percent; Jeb Bush, with 5.5 percent; Carly Fiorina, with 3.0 percent; John Kasich, with 2.8 percent; and Rand Paul, with 2.5 percent, according to the Wall Street Journal. Chris Christie and Mike Huckabee have been relegated to the 7 p.m. debate, with both failing to poll with the required percentages to qualify.
To decide who qualified for the main stage, FOX Business Network used four recent polls by Fox News, the Wall Street Journal, Investor's Business Daily and Quinnipiac through Nov. 4, awarding a spot to anyone with an average of at least 2.5 percent polling support.
This debate will be similar to the previous one, focusing on general economic health, jobs, taxes and domestic and international issues, according to FOX Business. With senior financial and political interviewers moderating this debate, there's a good chance that this debate will pose harder-hitting questions on the economy and finances.
What: As always, there will be two debates, with the first taking place at 7 p.m., and the prime-time debate taking place at 9 p.m. The debate will be limited to two hours.
Where: The Milwaukee Theatre in Milwaukee, Wisc. (Note: This is the same theater that Teddy Roosevelt gave his "It takes more than that to kill a bull moose" speech after being shot).
Who: Moderators include Fox Business Network anchors Maria Bartiromo and Neil Cavuto, as well as Wall Street Journal editor-in-chief Gerard Baker.
Candidates participating
7 p.m. debate - The early debate will see returning players in Bobby Jindal and Rick Santorum, who will be joined by newly bumped-down candidates Chris Christie and Mike Huckabee. George Pataki and Lindsey Graham have been eliminated from the debate stage.
9 p.m. debate - The prime-time debate will feature Donald Trump and Ben Carson at center stage. To Trump's right will be Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush and John Kasich. To Caron's left will be Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina and Rand Paul
Rules
The prime-time debate will be limited once again to two hours, and there have been a few format changes. The candidates won't make opening statements. Instead they will make short closing statements at the end of the debate. They will also now have 90 seconds to answer questions but will still have 30 seconds for rebuttals, according to Politico. The qualifications to make the main stage required candidates to be polling with at least 2.5 percent, which narrowed the main stage candidates down to eight.
The four candidates polling at 1 percent claimed the spots in the early debate.
How To Watch
The debate can be viewed either on FOX Business Network or streamed online for free on foxbusiness.com, with no cable subscription necessary. Additionally, DirecTV subscribers who do not normally have access to FBN will be granted it for the debate.
Online: Follow HNGN's President and Editorial Director Michael Bullerdick (@mbullerdick) for his live tweets during both events.
Bullerdick's Predictions: Nothing could be worse – or as biased – as the CNBC debate which forced all the candidates but the usual tone-deaf Bush to become a band of brothers against the aggressive moderators. This time it'll be every man and woman for him and herself. Ben Carson will be interesting to watch after the validity of autobiographical details became the focus of recent headlines. Given the debate's theme, it's unlikely the moderators will address them, but certain other candidates might not be able to demonstrate equal restraint. Look for a more practiced – and therefore more wooden – Jeb Bush along with a far more vocal Rand Paul. Donald Trump and Carly Fiorina will excel in this debate on economics – although Fiorina will do so more eloquently. Marco Rubio will be hit hard for his personal finances and his participation in the failed Gang of 8 immigration bill, which the party's conservative base interpreted as a huge betrayal. Keep a close eye on anti-establishment leader and Tea Party favorite Ted Cruz. The skilled orator will dominate the event's tone and pace. Were it not for Trump and Carson's name recognition – or if the Washington outsiders ultimately cancel each other out – Cruz could very well lead the race.
Drinking games!
After a calculated, deep investigation, we found these sites' drinking games to be most exciting and fun for viewers, regardless of party affiliation. Or if you are solely watching to get drunk.
A word to the wise, though! Know your limit and drink in moderation, because as Surgeon General Vivek Murthy points out, "You simply can't drink every time one of these guys says something silly... It's just a formula for disaster."
These are only the fourth pair of debates of the 2016 presidential cycle. Many more are set to take place. Some have exact dates and sponsors already set, while others are still being planned. Check below to see all of the debates scheduled between now and election day 2016, courtesy of USPresidentialElectionNews.com.
Remaining Debate Schedule
December 15, 2015
CNN/Salem Republican Debate
Aired On: CNN
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Sponsors: CNN, Salem Media Group
Candidates: To be determined
January, 2016
Fox News Republican Debate
Aired On: Fox News Channel
Location: Iowa
Sponsors: Fox News
Candidates: To be determined
February 6, 2016
ABC/IJReview Republican Debate
Aired On: ABC
Location: St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire
Sponsors: ABC News, IJReview.com (Press Release)
Candidates: To be determined
February 13, 2016
CBS News Republican Debate
Aired On: CBS
Location: South Carolina
Sponsors: CBS News
Candidates: To be determined
February 26, 2016
NBC/Telemundo Republican Debate
Aired On: NBC and Telemundo
Location: Texas
Sponsors:NBC/Telemundo, National Review
Candidates: To be determined
March, 2016*
Fox News Republican Debate
Aired On: Fox News Channel
Location: TBD
Sponsors: Fox News
Candidates: To be determined
March 10, 2016
CNN/Salem Republican Debate
Aired On: CNN
Location: Florida
Sponsors: CNN, Salem Media Group
Candidates: To be determined
