CBS/NJ GOP debate tonight: 5 things to watch

Eight candidates for the Republican nomination for president of the United States are seen at the CBS/National Journal Debate in Spartanburg, S.C., Nov. 12, 2011. / CBS

Eight candidates for the Republican nomination for president of the United States are seen at the CBS/National Journal Debate in Spartanburg, S.C., Nov. 12, 2011.

/ CBS

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - As the Republican presidential candidates gather here for the CBS News/National Journal foreign policy debate, airing tonight on CBS and CBSNews.com, here are five things to watch:

1. Can Rick Perry clear the low bar of expectations? Almost every debate has been a challenge for the Texas governor, but after Wednesday night's face plant in Michigan, there's really nowhere for him to go but up. He's tried to make light of he stumbles and turn them into strengths, saying he's not slick, that he speaks from the heart. That's all well and good, but the danger for Perry is that voters already have formed an opinion of him--and that based on his past performances, they lack confidence that he is either capable or can persuasively carry the conservative message to victory. Debates matter to voters: In our new poll, 76 percent of Republicans said the candidate's performance was important in deciding their vote.

You don't have to be a championship debater--the pundits and the media never gave the debate points George W. Bush. But Bush clearly passed the threshold that he was qualified to be president. In debates, he was able to connect with voters and communicate his message in a way Perry so far has not.

2. Will Newt Gingrich contain himself? Gingrich is the flip side of Perry: He scores the debate points, and he conveys intelligence and knowledge. His poll numbers, as a result, have steadily risen, and he's now tied for second with Mitt Romney. But Gingrich can go too far and come across as arrogant and distant--the professor who wants to lecture to show how smart he is. That could turn off voters who are looking for hopeful optimism. He should perform well tonight in a debate focused on serious and complex matters of foreign policy. But he can't be overconfident to the point that he seems egotistical.

3. Can Cain get back on message? Considering the blows Cain has taken in the past two weeks, it's remarkable he is still standing--much less holding onto the lead in the new CBS poll. But that poll also shows voters have doubts about Cain's qualifications to be commander in chief, and especially in an international crisis. Romney and Gingrich get points there, while Cain slips to third. He has a huge opportunity tonight to show voters he more than the 9-9-9 candidate, that he not only can present solutions to America's economic problems, but also has a level of knowledge on international issues and can tackle serious foreign policy issues.

4. Will Romney be able to pick up more support? Voters think Romney has the best chance to beat Barack Obama by a 2-to-1 margin, and he has been declared a winner in nearly every debate. Voters say they're confident Romney could go head-to-head with Obama, and it's proven that with his performances. His command of the facts should serve him well tonight, especially when confronted with difficult foreign policy issues. But Romney is playing it safe when primary voters are looking for bold action.

5. Will anyone emerge as the obvious alternative to Romney? For months, Romney has been playing a version of prevent defense--and as any football fan knows, a prevent defense can kill you if your opponent refuses to quit and somehow starts firing on all cylinders. So far that hasn't happened in this race. We've seen a couple of bursts here and there, but no one has managed to consistently score. It looks like Gingrich may be moving into a head-to-head race with Romney, but Cain is still in it. And with Perry's war chest, he could get back in the game if he can turn in a good debate or two--and somehow turn the narrative that while he may be a capable governor, he simply isn't ready to be president of the United States. As Gingrich said on CBS yesterday, this isn't a governor's race--it's a race for President. If Perry can get himself in the right race, starting tonight by showing he can handle tough foreign policy questions, he could still challenge Romney.

GOP candidates ready for CBS News/National Journal debate

Watch the debate live here, starting at 8:00 PM ET

Special Report: The CBS News/National Journal debate

Submit a debate question: What do you want to ask the candidates?

[stuwerb]

Hey JC, how many debates have we had so far? If Perry hasn't looked like anything but a buffoon through all these, what makes you think that is suddenly going to change tonight, or in any of the upcoming debates? Please explain that to me.

[CARL5397]

CBS is a bunch of NAZI's First the tell the crowd at the GOP DEBATE they can cheer a canidate but the can't boo or disapprove a canidate's comments. Thats communist! Then the give Ron Paul 89 seconds (2 questions) This country needs to wake up to main stream news and how they try to lie and munipulate the American people! CBS YOU SUCK! BOOOOOO!
RON PAUL 2012! YES HE CAN WIN! DEMAND SOUND MONEY!
END THE FED!

[noloyalisti]

Let's try to see which Republicon hates women, children, minorities, American workers and the government the most.

Please can someone tell me even one good reason to back a Republicon from the party of Spending, Death and the Top 1%?

[tomasiepoo]

i've had it! Why didn't they give Ron Paul and other candidates more time? Seriously, Ron Paul's take on foreign policy is HONEST, REAL, and everyone in the WORLD ( other than here in the States ) agrees with him. Our meddling in the business of other countries causes tragedies like 911. Just read the 911 commission report.. even the head of the CIA agreed with Ron Paul. Our enemies don't hate us because we're rich, they hate us because of our politicians. We better start listening to Ron Paul...the man predicted 911 and the stock market crash. What's wrong with us? Can't you see the media giants are TELLING us who to vote for??!! NEVER trust the media. There use to be around 50 independently owned media companies... now they've all merged to only 6! Think on your own and realize who the enemy is!

[mattpew]

Cut and paste for what really happened: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wwbrihlXts

[noloyalisti]

Well why would anyone think of voting for one of these idiots from the failed and obsolete Republicon Party of Death and Destruction.

I am still waiting for someone to tell me even one thing a Republicon has done good for America since before Reagan. Just one. Thing. Please.

[FreedomJusticeForAll]

Join together and pressure the supporters of CBS...let them know you will NOT tolerate this blatant censorship of the Truth and Dr. Paul's message. WE THE PEOPLE are being lied to, and deliberately fed garbage, filtered truth, spun propaganda, and WE ARE FURIOUS and we WILL NOT let it go unnoticed!!!!

A list of some of CBS's financial supporters
Levitra (www.levitra)
Bayer (www.bayer.com)
Lifesavers Candies (www.candystand.com)
Kraft Foods (www.kraftfoods.com)
SmartBalance Popcorn (www.smartbalance.com)
Good for America Brands (www.gfabrands.com)
Viagra (www.viagra) Pfizer Pharmaceuticals
(www.pfizer.com) Vioxx (www.vioxx)
Merck & Co. (www.merck.com)
General Mills (www.generalmills.com)
PrevAcid (www.prevacid.com)
TAP Pharmaceuticals (www.tap.com)
Plavix (www.plavix.com)
Bristol-Myers Squibb (www.bms.com)
Benefiber (www.benefiber.com)

[pennstatepoed]

Half the debate and then cut off? Scott Pelley is voting for Obama, I hope he doesn't mind if they only allow him to write half an X in the spot, no use finishing up, we all know what he meant, blah, blah, blah

[noloyalisti]

The Republicom Cadre of Clowns. They have nothing, no plans, no ideas, nothing good for the 99% of us who can't afford to hire corporate lobbyists.

[arnp]

Scott Pelley is a smirking, arrogant interviewer. He needs to get a bell to act as a timer. He is interruptive and antagonistic and CBS should look closely at his attitude and skills. He's a pretty face and nothing more.

[pennstatepoed]

Pretty face? He looks like a serpent with something sharp up a cavity.

[RandallRichard]

What makes you Ron Paul fans think he has any chance of winning the Republican Nomination no matter what the media does? Get real. They are never going to nominate someone who isn't for big military and is for legalizing prostitution and drugs. It will be a cold day in you know where before the Christian Right dominated Republicans nominate the Hookers and Heroin Candidate. (BTW I think those are all ideas worth exploring but the Repubs will never ever go for them).

[mattpew]

You are completely correct, but don't people deserve the right to decide these choices for themselves? I've never voted, probably never will, but seeing how blatantly selective the media is, pisses me off so bad that I'd actually vote if I knew it would actually make a difference....(which it more than likely doesn't)........ but what I do know for a fact is that most peoples anger towards this BS is growing quickly, and that will equal extreme change..... even if through blatant force....

[pennstatepoed]

I vote in every tiny election. Sometimes I am one of 42 votes for the entire election. You can make a difference, especially in primaries. Never say never. But, Go Gingrich!!!! Try to hang in until the Pennsylvania Primary. Add Rubio, and Voila!!

[jonathandine]

I will be voting for Governor Gary Johnson!!! Pro-Choice, Pro- Gay rights, Anti war GOP candidate who wants to balance the budget and legalize marijuana. Johnson is also a good steward of tax dollars. He came into office with a huge deficit and left 8 yrs later with a billion dollar surplus. His staff once asked him how he wanted his name read on the state welcome signs. He said Don't put my name on those signs, If we change them at all put welcome to New Mexico from the citizens of New Mexico so we dont have to spend money to change them in the future. As Governor he raised the speed limit to 75 on the highway and allowed people to buy beer on Sunday saying "this is a choice the people of New Mexico can make for themselves and don't need the govt telling them on what day they can buy beer." He understand the proper role of govt to protect you from force or fraud but to otherwise leave you alone unless your actions interfere with the rights of another. Check out Two term(one more than Mitt) Governor Gary Johnson! Dont let the media pick your candidate! Johnson's socially liberal and fiscally conservative stances will be attractive to democrat and independent voters in the general election, I think he is the man to beat obummer.. Gary Johnson is who we need in the White House. The People's President!

[RandallRichard]

Are you sure this guy is a Rebublican?? Pro-choice, pro-gay rights and antiwar. He has no chance of getting the republican nomination without being totally anti-abortion and pro-war.