The Republican Party is prepared for the next installment in its debate schedule tonight, with nine candidates taking the stage for prime-time debate number five, the final primary debate of 2015. The debate will air on CNN, hosted by the network, and will certainly be one of the most important debates headed into the Iowa caucus, just 47 days away.
Business mogel and new politician Donald Trump is still the GOP front-runner, and once again he will be center stage for the prime-time contest, according to CNN. Trump is still leading in most polls, despite a somewhat split reaction to his desire to ban Muslims from entering the United States in the wake of the Paris and San Bernardino shootings. Trump will be flanked by Ben Carson and Ted Cruz, with the latter recently exchanging pleasantries on social media, including Trump calling Cruz "a maniac." Cruz has been threatening Trump in the polls, gaining momentum in recent weeks.
In order to qualify, candidates needed to poll with at least 3.5 percent nationally, at least 4 percent in Iowa, or at least 4 percent in New Hampshire. Polls counted were conducted between Oct. 29 and Dec. 13, and must be recognized by the network. Several candidates just made the cut, specifically Sen. Rand Paul, who made the main stage by the skin of his teeth, just getting the necessary points in a poll released on Sunday morning by CNN.
The GOP field is heating up, and many of the candidates are beginning to make big pushes in their campaigns in preparation for the ever-important upcoming Iowa caucuses, so this debate is sure to be one of the bigger on-stage battles we've seen so far.
What: Once again, there will be two debates. The undercard debate will begin at 6:00 p.m. The prime-time debate will air at 8:30 p.m.
Where: The Venetian, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Who: Moderators include Wolf Blitzer, CNN's Chief Poltical Correspondent Dana Bash, and Salem Radio Network talk show host Hugh Hewitt.
Candidates participating
6:00 p.m. debate - Four candidates will take the stage for the first debate. Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum will be in the center. George Pataki will be on Huckabee's right, and Lindsey Graham will be on Santorum's left.
8:30 p.m. debate - Nine candidates qualified for the prime-time stage. Donald Trump will be center stage. To his left: Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush, Chris Christie and Rand Paul. To his right: Ben Carson, Marco Rubio, Carly Fiorina and John Kasich.
Rules
To qualify, candidates had to meet one of three criteria given by the network: to poll by an average of at least 3.5 percent nationally; at least 4 percent in Iowa; or at least 4 percent in New Hampshire, according to CNN. Nine candidates made this cut, and four made the cut for the early debate, with the remaining candidates who are polling at at least 1 percent making the undercard.
How To Watch
The debate will be live streamed online at CNN's website, with coverage beginning at 6:00 p.m. The live stream will be available even to those who do not have a cable TV subscription.
Online: Follow HNGN's President and editorial director Michael Bullerdick (@mbullerdick) for his live tweets during both events!
Bullerdick's Predictions: Look for Trump to (unwisely) go after former ally Ted Cruz, who is gaining moment and owns Iowa. Jeb Bush and Lindsey Graham – both GOP establishment candidates desperate for a bump in polling numbers – will fire blindly, hoping something hits one of the "Washington outsider" targets that include Trump, Ben Carson, and, to an extent, Ted Cruz. Nevertheless, expect Cruz to win the night and gain more momentum.
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 fifth 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
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
