The Iowa Republican presidential debate on Thursday, sponsored by The Washington Examiner and Fox News, could provide momentum for one or more of the candidates heading into Saturday’s straw poll in Ames. Here is what each candidate will try to accomplish, or avoid, when they take the stage:
Tim Pawlenty: All eyes are on the former Minnesota governor, who arguably has the most to gain – or lose — with this debate performance. Pawlenty invested more time and resources in Iowa than any other candidate. He will likely get aggressive with frontrunner Mitt Romney to whom Pawlenty gave a pass in June’s New Hampshire debate when he dropped his criticisms of Romney’s Massachusetts health care plan. Pawlenty will highlight his executive experience to differentiate himself from a fellow Minnesotan, Rep. Michele Bachmann, who is leading Iowa polls.
Mitt Romney: The debate for the presumed national frontrunner is less about winning than it is about limiting damage. Romney, who competed in the 2007 straw poll, is largely taking a pass on this year’s poll, instead devoting far more resources to early-primary states like New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida. Romney will attempt to keep the focus on President Obama, particularly Obama’s failings in handling of the economy.
Michele Bachmann: Widely considered the favorite to win the straw poll, the native Iowan and surging candidate will certainly face greater scrutiny this time around. She will seek to combat Pawlenty’s claims that her rhetoric masks a lack of accomplishment. Though her fiery appeal will likely be on display, she could be forced to explain her views on homosexuality as well as her family’s acceptance of farm subsidies. She and Pawlenty will battle to portray themselves as the best alternative to Romney.
Jon Huntsman: The Iowa debate will be the former Utah governor’s first and will serve as his introduction to voters. Huntsman is Obama’s former ambassador to China, a relationship of which many conservatives are suspicious. Facing the daunting task of distinguishing himself in a field of better-known candidates, Huntsman also is likely to emphasize his self-professed centrist appeal that he believes gives him an advantage in the general election.
Ron Paul: As a Libertarian icon, the Texas congressman has one of the most passionate followings and could end up among the top three finishers in the straw poll. The fiscal hawk’s call to slash federal spending is certainly resonating with voters as the debt debate consumes Washington. Still, Paul has much work left to do to convince viewers outside Iowa that he would be a viable contender.
Newt Gingrich: The former House Speaker is looking to reignite a campaign that sputtered out of the gates. He will attempt to divert attention from his self-inflicted wounds and rail against big-government policies he says have stifled economic growth.
Herman Cain: The former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza could produce more sound-bites than any candidate on stage — for better or worse. Cain surely won’t hold back in his assessment of the president and will emphasize his business experience and outsider status.
Rick Santorum: The social conservative is on friendly terrain in Iowa, where his traditional-values message plays well with a large segment of caucus goers. The former senator from Pennsylvania must develop an economic message if he is to appeal to more than just social conservatives, however.
