The sixth GOP debate stage is set and ready for the remaining candidates in the 2016 presidential race on Thursday night. Hosted by the Fox Business Network, the latest installment will have some altered conditions than the previous debates, winding the competition down to only seven candidates.
The newly reduced field will include Donald Trump, who still holds a comfortable lead in most national polls, and holds a lead in New Hampshire primary with 33 percent, according to FOX News. Trump recently challenged the surging Sen. Ted Cruz, stating that his birth in Canada should be called into question on the basis of the cloudiness surrounding the definition of the term "natural born." Cruz has defended his birth, saying, "The child of a U.S. citizen born abroad is a natural-born citizen," in a "State of the Union" interview, according to CNN. Cruz's mother was a U.S. citizen at the time of his birth.
Former CEO Carly Fiorina and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, along with Sen. Rand Paul did not qualify for the prime-time debate, and will be placed on the undercard. However, Paul's campaign announced on Monday that it will not participate in the debate, claiming his is "not a minor campaign," according to Talking Points Memo. Paul's campaign cited the criteria of the debate as the reason he did not qualify, complaining it is unfair to let "the media decide the tiers of this race."
This debate comes on the heels of President Obama's final "State of the Union" address, in which he made comments directed toward the GOP candidates and the race. His address is sure to become a topic of conversation. Additionally, the debate should give way for a Trump-Cruz clash, as the two are closely tied in Iowa polls. It should also give opportunity for Sen. Marco Rubio and Gov. Chris Christie to gain ground, well as provide perhaps a final opportunity for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to make his campaign relevant again.
What: The sixth Republican debate will feature a prime-time debate and an undercard debate.
Where: The North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center in North Charleston, South Carolina.
Who: Moderators include Neil Cavuto, an anchor and managing editor of FOX Business News; and Maria Bartiromo, an anchor and the global markets editor.
Candidates participating
6 p.m. debate - Former HP CEO Carly Fiorina, former Ark. Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Pa. Sen. Rick Santorum. (note: Ky. Sen. Rand Paul qualified for this debate but has announced he will not participate.)
9 p.m. debate - Businessman Donald Trump, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Fla. Sen. Marco Rubio, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, N.J. Gov. Chris Christie, former Fla. Gov. Jeb Bush and Ohio Gov. John Kasich.
Rules
In order to qualify, candidates needed to place in the top six in the five national polls recognized by FOX News; or place in the top five in Iowa state polls recognized by the network; or do the same as the latter in New Hampshire. The debate will focus on domestic and internal policy issues, as well as the economy, according to FOX Business.
How To Watch
FOX Business will live stream the debate for free, without a subscription, on its website.
Online: Follow HNGN's President and editorial director Michael Bullerdick (@mbullerdick) for his live tweets during both events!
Bullerdick's Predictions: With Iowa primary voters split between Trump and Cruz, expect the friendly foes to drop the kid gloves and go at each other for real this time. Trump's blunderbuss opening will leave no question that he is going on the offensive, taking the fight to the competition. In contrast, Cruz will lay in wait, looking for weak spots to direct precise and decisive blows. Bush will attempt to gain ground by focusing on Trump, a tactic that last time helped him survive and even rise in the polls. His former pal and fellow Floridian, Rubio, will zero in on his main competitor: Cruz.
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 sixth 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
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
