Face the Nation this week: Bachmann & Santorum
This Sunday's guests are presidential candidates Rick Santorum and Rep. Michele Bachmann along with Republican Consultant Kevin Madden and CBS News Political Analyst John Dickerson.
All eyes this weekend are on the first in the nation caucus state, Iowa - with its conservative Republican voting bloc - as the major candidates are all out in the heartland trying to shore up support. The highlight of the weekend is the Faith and Freedom Coalition's Presidential Forum where most of the top contenders will speak.
The issue of abortion came back into the limelight this week as front-runner Herman Cain seemed to suggest he was pro-abortion rights in an interview. That left him open to major criticism from his peers - though he later declared that he is "pro-life."
"It is unconscionable for Herman to run for the nomination of the Party that stands in defense of Life while showing disregard for the sanctity of Life. You cannot be both personally against abortion while condoning it - you can't have it both ways. We must defend the defenseless, period," said Santorum in a statement.
"This year, more than ever, we cannot settle on a candidate who is not consistent on this critical issue," said a statement from Bachmann's campaign.
Both Santorum and Bachmann, two of the more consistent social conservatives in the field will be speaking to the Faith and Freedom forum and speaking to Bob Schieffer on Sunday.
But beyond social issues, all sides went after the two candidates atop the polls, Mitt Romney and Herman Cain at this week's Republican presidential debate.
While Romney, the former Governor of Massachusetts, joined the rest of the field to take down Businessman Cain's 9-9-9 tax plan, the rest of the field took on Romney.
"You just don't have credibility, Mitt, when it comes to repealing Obamacare," said Santorum, delivering a clean hit on Romney's history with his Massachusetts health care reform bill.
"You are -- you are -- your plan was the basis for Obamacare. Your consultants helped Obama craft Obamacare. And to say that you're going to repeal it, you just -- you have no track record on that that -- that we can trust you that you're going to do that," Santorum added.
The former Pennsylvania senator, Santorum has been on the offensive of late -- backed by a series of strong debate appearances, he also taken on Cain for his 9-9-9 tax plan for support the Wall Street bailout in 2008.
Representative Bachmann meanwhile has been working to regain the momentum she had after winning the Iowa straw poll in August. Her camp suffered the most by the entrance of Texas Governor Rick Perry to the race. But as Perry approval drops, Bachmann is hoping voters take a second look and return to her fold.
Her laser-like focus on repealing all of President Obama's signature reform measures, health care and financial reform, have won here strong following in the tea party.
"President Obama's plan has been a plan for destruction of this economy and failure," she said at the debate.
As she continues to spend most of her time in Iowa, she's hoping the Hawkeye state comes through for her.
Can social issues be the determining factor in the race for the Republican nomination? Who can best represent the entire Republican Party? Those will be among the topics discussed as presidential candidates Santorum and Bachmann sit down with Bob Schieffer Sunday.
Is Cain's momentum for real? "It never felt so good being shot at," said Herman Cain on Friday. "Message is more powerful than money" he added, but can Cain compete with the fundraising power of Romney and Perry? Are Republicans going to rally behind Romney or will Perry move back into the top of the polls. Those will be among the issues discussed as Bob is joined by CBS News political analyst John Dickerson and Republican consultant Kevin Madden, who serves as an informal adviser to the Romney campaign.
The 2012 Republican race is the focus this Sunday as Rick Santorum and Michele Bachmann join Bob Schieffer to Face the Nation.
