What to Watch For Tonight

Tonight the Republican candidates for President are going to battle it out for who is the "RIGHT-ful" hire to Regan's Republican Party.... or something like that....

With the first GOP Presidential debate properly taking place at the Ronald Regan Library in California and Nancy Regan sitting front and center, as if overseeing the events in place of her husband, it should prove to be an interesting first glimpse of the candidates.

As we try to guess who will do what, here are some personal analysis: ALL of them are going to try to establish themselves as the ONLY person to continue the Regan legacy. (We wonder how many times will the candidates evoke Ronald Regan's name?) There will be little prise for Bush. Between the 10 candidates we have a huge diversifications of opinion from far right to right of center.

The Leaders: We are expecting the front runners -McCain, Giuliani, Romney - are going to keep it simple, try not to mess up and look VERY presidential. This philosophy was best stated by Mitt Romney last night on the "Tonight Show" with Jay Leno saying, "It's going to be very short. Get on, get off. Keep your hair from getting messed up." Romney has the most to gain from this debate. He has an opportunity to show the public why so many Washington insiders love him. McCain can win here by reminding people why they supported him in the past. (He is up in Iowa, NH and SC). Giuliani has the most to loose as he is up in the numbers and he can't messed up.

Stuck In The Middle/Underdogs: They are going to try to stand out and provide a few zingers to get a moment in the spotlight. Some of these candidates are gaining less then 1% of the vote in many national polls. In reality, many of these candidates won't be contenders in a few months, with the primaries moving earlier each day, this might be the only time these candidates will have a time to shine and try to garner support from the public.

One-Issue Candidates: These guys are not only underdogs but known for their "passion" on a one particular issue, we expect them to continue their platform while trying to spread their wings a little. Rep. Ron Paul is known for his ideology and feels the party has lost its way on its libertarian traditions. Rep. Tom Tancredo has gained national recognition for his strict position on immigration and his anti-immigration stands.

Looking for a "Gravel" Moment: Tancredo, Duncan Hunter or maybe Huckabee?

Missing In Action: Newt Gingrich hasn't declared and we don't know when he will. Senator Hagel had a press conference to confirm he was thinking about it, but we haven't the foggiest when we will decide. Former Senator and current actor Fred Thompson is expected to have a "roll out" in July. Fred Thompson has been coming high in the polls, sometimes as high as 3rd or 4th, amazing for a person who hasn't even announced.

A bigger question for us is, will the Hispanic Vote and Immigration reform come up in a debate in California? Will the example of Pete Wilson and his negative effects of the GOP in California come up? We hope so...

From the Hotline On Call they listed some things everyone should be looking for:

1. Comparisons between anti-communism and the war on terror (or the "war of terror").
2. Mitt Romney's mentions of "McCain-Kennedy" and "McCain-Feingold"
3. Mike Huckabee's attempt to distinguish himself as the "authentic conservative" in the field.
4. A debate about climate change, starring John McCain and Mitt Romney
5. Tepid praise for Pres. Bush
6. Standard Reaganesque themes: lower taxes, stronger national defense
7. Implicit criticism of the 109th Congress and its leaders
8. Denial: those Republicans who assert that '06 had little to do with the war
9. Praise for -- and criticism of -- Hillary Clinton. (a Chris Matthews obsession).
10. An unusual focus on religious conservatives in South Carolina
11. Let's make a prediction: no Mormon question. That'd be refreshing.
12. "Battlefield Earth" jokes.
13. Lots of Pelosi/Reid bashing.
14. Sentences beginning with "Ronald Reagan thought..." or "Ronald Reagan knew..."
15. Assertions that America is fundamentally conservative and wants its leaders to be fundamentally conservative.
16. Questions about Fred Thompson and his significance to the GOP field
17. Reminders about the "11th commandment" -- Reagan's suggestion that Republicans shalt not attack one another.