A near-empty debate stage for Republicans

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Normally, the first debate of the presidential primary season serves as a starting gun. The one that will take place on Thursday night could sound more like a distress call.

Consider the contrast with this very week four years ago, when a field of 10 Republican contenders lined up for the first time, onstage at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif. It included four former governors, two sitting senators, three members of the House and a former New York City mayor who had become something of a national hero for his leadership in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.

The group that assembles for the Fox News-South Carolina GOP debate in Greenville, S.C., on Thursday will be half the size — and distinguished more by who isn’t there than by who is. Of the presumed top-tier candidates and most-buzzed-about names, only former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty has agreed to show up.

...

When a Washington Post-ABC News poll asked Republicans and GOP-leaners in mid-April to name whom they would vote for in a primary or a caucus, the leading contender, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, registered only 16 percent.

Other recent polls have shown the race in a fluid three-way tie that includes, in varying combinations, Romney, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, and reality television star and real estate developer Donald Trump.

None of them will be in South Carolina on Thursday night; nor will former House speaker Newt Gingrich (Ga.), Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels or former Utah governor Jon Huntsman, three others mentioned as possible candidates. Indeed, of that group, only Romney has gone so far as to form an exploratory committee.

In addition to Pawlenty, those slated to participate in the debate on Thursday are former senator Rick Santorum (Pa.); ex-Godfather’s Pizza chief executive Herman Cain; and two libertarians, Rep. Ron Paul (Tex.) and former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/a_near_empty_debate_stage_and_an_unsettled_presidential_field_for_republicans/2011/05/04/AF8HtYrF_story.html?wprss=rss_homepage

[웃 910]

GO RON PAUL!!!

In addition to Pawlenty, those slated to participate in the debate on Thursday are former senator Rick Santorum (Pa.); ex-Godfather's Pizza chief executive Herman Cain; and two libertarians, Rep. Ron Paul (Tex.) and former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson.

Edited May 5, 2011 by Lord Infamous

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Yep. It's really too early to pay attention, and the real contenders haven't made an appearance yet. Or, maybe nobody wants to watch paint dry.

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Yep. It's really too early to pay attention, and the real contenders haven't made an appearance yet. Or, maybe nobody wants to watch paint dry.

I hear Joe Scarborough may jump in.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I hear Joe Scarborough may jump in.

That would be like Juan Williams challenging Obama. Joe used to be popular on the far right, but he sold out to be on MSNBC. Of course, so did Chris Matthews, who used to guest host for Rush Limbaugh weeks at a time.

Edited May 5, 2011 by Some Old Guy