GOP debate No. 9 takes place in Michigan beginning at 8:00 pm ET, and it comes just one day after Cain’s defiant press conference… What else to watch for at the debate… And Perry’s up with a new TV ad in Iowa.
ROCHESTER, MI -- Tonight's Republican presidential debate here -- the ninth of the cycle and the first one since Oct. 18 -- couldn't have come at a more fitting time. It's the first debate since the sexual-harassment allegations against Herman Cain first surfaced. It's the first debate since the contentious Mitt Romney-vs.-Rick Perry showdown in Las Vegas. And it’s the first debate to come after a fresh round of worries about European debt and European economic instability. Also, it’s the first debate of the cycle to take place in the Industrial Midwest. Indeed, Michigan has an 11.1% unemployment rate, it’s lost thousands of manufacturing jobs in the past decade, and it has the fourth-highest foreclosure rate in the country.
*** What to watch for: The debate, of course, comes just a day after Cain’s press conference in Arizona, where he defiantly denied the sexual-harassment charges against him. “They simply didn’t happen,” he said. His defiance is one of the reasons why his supporters like him so much. But that kind of defense will only work if the ENTIRE truth is on his side, because he now has put himself in the position where he is daring his accusers to come out with more evidence. And, voila, a second accuser is no freely speaking to the media. As far as how these allegations might play out in tonight’s debate, consider that all the candidates who aren’t Mitt Romney will probably treat Cain with kid gloves. Why? If Cain's campaign collapses, they will all want his supporters. And if you go too hard, you risk alienating them. Bottom line: Attacking Cain tonight on this issue, if you are another GOP candidate, comes with more risk than reward. Another dynamic to watch: Both Huntsman and Perry are in desperation mode. What do they do tonight?
*** The skinny: Tonight’s debate -- sponsored by CNBC and the Michigan Republican Party -- begins at 8:00 pm ET from the campus of Oakland University here in Rochester, MI (just outside of Detroit). It’s moderated by CNBC’s John Harwood and Maria Bartiromo, and it will feature questions from CNBC’s Jim Cramer, Steve Liesman, Rick Santelli, and Sharon Epperson. The eight candidates who are participating: Bachmann, Cain, Gingrich, Huntsman, Paul, Perry, Romney, and Santorum.
NBC's Domenico Montanaro takes a look election day and looks ahead to tonight's CNBC hosted Republican debate in Michigan.
*** Another Perry ad in Iowa: Rick Perry (as first reported by Politico) is up with another positive biographical TV ad in Iowa. As we noted yesterday from our NBC/WSJ poll, Perry is continuing to lose support nationally. Do these ads begin to help his numbers in the Hawkeye State?
*** Super PACs hit the airwaves: Meanwhile, the GOP group Crossroads GPS says it’s airing a new TV ad (at a buy of $2.6 million) that hits President Obama in Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. And the Dem group Priorities USA is up with an ad criticizing GOP cuts to Pell grants.
*** On the 2012 trail: Before tonight’s debate, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie campaigns for Romney in New Hampshire, and Buddy Roemer also visits the Granite State.
*** Wednesday’s “Daily Rundown” line-up (live from the debate site in Michigan): CNBC's Rick Santelli, Sharon Epperson, and Steve Liesman on what they're expecting when they question the candidates at tonight's debate… Rep. Candice Miller (R-MI) on tonight's debate (just over the line from her district) and why she's backing Perry… Romney Campaign Senior Adviser Eric Fehrnstom… Democratic strategist Debbie Dingell… One of us (!!!) on Cain's non-accusation-related trouble spots... And NBC's Mike Isikoff on the politics of sexual accusations.
*** Wednesday’s “Jansing & Co.” line-up: Chris Jansing interviews Romney adviser Russ Schriefer, as well as political scientist Larry Sabato and the New York Times’ Charles Blow.
*** Wednesday’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports” line-up (also live from the debate site in Michigan): NBC’s Andrea Mitchell interviews Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R), state GOP Chairman Robert Schostak, DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Dem Rep. Chris Van Hollen, the Washington Post’s Dan Balz, and the Chicago Tribune’s Clarence Page, as well as NBC’s Chuck Todd, CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo, and the Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza.
*** Wednesday’s “News Nation with Tamron Hall” line-up: MSNBC’s Tamron Hall interviews Rick Santorum and also has more on the scandal at Penn State.
*** Wednesday’s “Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell”: MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell interviews Jack Abramoff tonight and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty tomorrow night.
Countdown to Iowa caucuses: 55 days
Countdown to South Carolina primary: 73 days
Countdown to Florida primary: 83 days
Countdown to Nevada caucuses: 87 days
Countdown to Super Tuesday: 118 days
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All these Republican goofballs make Bush look smart ( not an easy task ). The only one with any sense is Romney but he has starting giving in to the those crazy teabaggers. I wonder which Republican the greedy Corporations and polluting Oil Companies will bribe and bankroll ( thanks to the Supreme Court - AKA Kangaroo Court ). I hear Perry is always up for a few illegal Oil Bucks.
The loser of the 2012 elections will end up being the winner..... With the Government spending us in to the toilet we will be following Ireland, Portugal, Greece and now Italy into financial disaster before the 2016 elections......The Confederate dollar may be worth more than the US dollar in four years.
Well, all those are European countries and the liberals here want us to be more like them (Ohio too apparently). Let's hope the liberals don't get their way.
By the way, the liberal media (YA HEAR ME, MSNBC??????) spent THOUSANDS of hours looking for signs of violence at Tea Party rallies and were unsucessful. When will First Read start to do some stories on the Fleabaggers increasingly violent and chaotic nonsense that the media passed off as "protest?"
189 incidents with the OWS crowd as of 11/9/11
I voted for Kasich's issue 2. Why should I pay for public workers pensions and healthcare out of my taxes? Shouldn't they have to contribute something? This means higher taxes in Ohio and an out-of-control budget. Someone has to make drastic cuts to get the overspending to stop. The unions are too powerful. I knew it would not pass, but I did my part. But, we did win on the Obamacare issue. We don't want a government mandate, okay? Symbolic, maybe, but the voters made it clear.
As for Herman Cain. Where are Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton? Silent. If Cain was a liberal, Jackson and Sharpton would be hollering "racist" at the top of their lungs. Black and conservative does not fit their agenda. They are working on the democratic plantation of liberism. Bill Clinton had his share of women. Paula, Gennifer, Monica, among others. Bill was even impeached. But, he is a liberal so he gets a pass.
Liberal media is feeding the lies (kool aid) to the lemmings who spit it right back at each other.
The Libs can see what is happening in Greece ( Italy is next) and they act as if Greece doesn't exist.
It's similar to a drug addiction. The addict doesn't want to acknowledge what the drugs are doing to them.
Look, even if he did harass them, which I don't think he did, it has no bearing on his ability to help our finances or current state of affairs. He's not a murderer or a rapist, and I'm sure most everyone has said something off-color at some point or another which could be construed as "harrasment" today in this sue-happy America.
Let the past be the past, stop wasting valuable media and discussion time with something as stupid as that, and focus on the REAL issues at hand.
togspled,
So its ok for me to go around and harass women and push there head toward my croch right.
togspled,
I'll tell you what's really going on here.
If they don't "waste valuable time" destroying Herman Cain, we'd have to focus back onto the horrendous economy after 3 years of Obama. There's the 2012 election coming up so it's much "safer" to beat Herman Cain over the head 1000 times a day than to remember that we have REAL PROBLEMS here !!!!!!!!!
This debate will be another republican a** kissing by CNBC.
One can be sure that C a i n 's accusations will be off the table and untouchable.....at least, that is what I think. "C a i n" is being allowed to be untouchable by much of the media....I am a FOX watcher, but have been disgusted with the pandering that "C a i n" is receiving....Sean Hannity has know "C a i n" for over ten years and he is almost in tears each night when he talks about how this is not the man I know....Well Sean, many people have secret lives....how would you know, unless you had be sexually harassed by "C a i n"....I am a Conservative Christian and I have not wanted any part of "C a i n" from the onset.....he should withdraw.....Also, Cain immediately accused Perry's campaign of leaking these stories, now he is accusing the left liberal media....who or what group will be accused next....Also, Conservative talk show hosts and media personalities....Stop calling these women names......
Herman Cain's "Impossible Dream" is actually coming true; with each passing day, it's becoming more and more IMPOSSIBLE for him to win the Republican Presidential Nomination.
Don't let the door hit you in the asx while exiting the arena, Hermie.
The smile at the end of the smoking ad says it all.
RP 2012!!!
Wow and oh Boy....another debate! Which season is this? Will the dvd's be released soon?
Will Perry show up at this one? Before the 2010 TX gubernatorial election, Perry REFUSED to debate unless his democratic opponent APOLOGIZED for outing Perry's unethical practices regarding toll roads and construction contracts. The democrat refused to apologize and Perry was a NO SHOW at the debate.....No Leader Here! No wonder he is "soft" on illegal immigrants.
As this debate will show the only candidate that is viable is Mitt Romney 1012
This whole process is like a train wreck,(CAIN TRAIN),you really don't want to watch it happen but you just can't look away !!! This train is definitely stopping at Romneyville.
A.P is reporting that Mitt Romney spent a night in a "Flip Flop" house with an unidentified woman.
Newt was spotted at a Rite -aid purchasing viagra and a can of FIX A FLAT. Apparently he is going to see if he can raise his poll numbers.
Here's why I believe Romney ( or another Reub) will win in 2012...........it's Obama's hypocrisy.
"... Obama seems capable of effortlessly floating between demonizing Wall Street gambling one day and profiting from it the next. The audacity is breathtaking. The president has raised more money from Wall Street through the Democratic National Committee and his campaign account than any politician in American history. This year alone, he has raked in more cash from bank employees, hedge fund managers and financial services companies than all Republican candidates combined."
"Even poor Mitt Romney was outraised by the Obama money machine at his former employer, Bain Capital, by a margin of 2 to 1."
"It is a campaign operation whose wheels are greased by Wall Street bundlers like MF Global former chief, Jon Corzine. These financiers are so good at what they do that the Center for Responsive Politics reports that Obama's Wall Street fundraising will "far surpass 2008 in terms of raw dollars and as a percentage of what he raises overall."
"That's saying a lot considering that Obama's "Hope and Change" campaign in 2008 raised more money from the financial community than any other politician in American history."
Read more: #ixzz1dEPA3LQv (Joe Scarborough)
SO WHILE YOU LIBERALS (INCL.OBAMA) ARE DEMONIZING "THE FAT CATS" , WE WITNESS THE TRUTH.
Cain...your divorce papers are in the mail!
My remark was cheek in tongue.
And, I have the original Album, bought the day of release, still in the cellophane wrapper, with the Gold Circle price tag of $6.99 still attached. Album has been played one time. I bought one to play and one to keep.
cain the great business leader and son of the koch brothers has done something no rookie lawyer would ever do, paint himself into a corner. if anyone or any organization has information linking him to certain of these women hes toast.
White Collar,
It seem like all you mare capable of is wistfully talking about what the founding fathers wanted and a strange literal interpretation of the constitution, even though you don't truly understand it. Well, I hate to burst your pompous, smug bubble but I'm going to anyway.
This is not the country of our founding fathers. This is not a country of 2.5 million people which it was in 1776. Small government is easy when you don't have very many people. This is a country of 350 million citizens and this is the 21st century. We don't need somebody trying to apply 16th century idea to 21st century problems. We need politicians who look forward not backwards. We need leaders who are excited to take this country forward and fix the problems we have. We don't have to go backwards. The tea party has this pie in the sky idea of the good old days which quite frankly, weren't all that good. This ain't Mayberry buddy.
What you don't seem to get is this and I'm 62 and I completely understand. Our time has passed. We have completely screwed the pooch and it's time for younger, fresher minds to put forth fresh ideas and move this great country forward, not back.
The tea party doesn't have the right to keep telling me that If I don't like it I can just leave. This is my country too and I'm not going anywhere. We won't be bullied by the likes of you any longer. Leave your ignorant name calling for the playground. You have lost all credibility with the general population. You're getting what you deserve. You won't get any pity from me.
Herman Cain has now hired an Attorney to keep the women quiet...what does that say about candidate Cain...it tells me that there are more women out there...that he is trying to keep quiet....what rational person would vote for someone that is trying to keep victims from speaking.especially a candidate for President...Cain is the Idi Amin of Presidential politics...if he is trying to block free speech and victim coming forward because of his sexual predatory behavior...just think of what would happen if this man gets into office...he's a dangerous person and a force to be reckon with...
Late at night, the bro driving Kain by the Whitehouse in his limo to show him the sight, stops the car, pulls Kain's head down to his crotch, tries to fondle him.
Kain, in his best Amos and Andy voice says, "What are you trying to do?"
Bro replies, "You do want to be president, don't you?"
The above is meant only to be a humorous story and hopefully has no relation to any real event that might have happened. The names have been mispelled to protect the guilty.
Something must have happened there, because Kain is still running for pres. and the next day the limo went in for new shocks.
Talk about flip flop, Cain has lied, and lied, he's the typical Old Dusty A@@ when caught by the truth LIES..these women are not making these stories up...and anyone that thinks they are...have on Blinders...
"Meanwhile, the GOP group Crossroads GPS says it’s airing a new TV ad (at a buy of $2.6 million) that hits President Obama in Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. And the Dem group Priorities USA is up with an ad criticizing GOP cuts to Pell grants.
Hopefully the public is not fooled by the Rove neuromarketing ads that foster fear and loss like they did in 2010. My state ended up with a Senator who is totally incompetent and does not relate to the people he is support to represent.
Tonight is Rick Santorum and Michelle Bachmans last gasp. If one or both of them do not drill down on Herman's alleged moral faults,then they lose what they claim to be their base,the religious right. If Santorum goes after him hard,it will move him up 2 or 3 notches overnight in Iowa. We shall see !!!
And of course Mitt will stay out of this completely as all he knows about sex is that it was o.k... both times.
Life is so interesting and human responses in a given situation often so predictable.
Ladies and gentleman for all of you who are obsessing about Herman Cain and his excesses or not, might i remind you back at the Hall of Justice is the Occupy Movement has been relegated to a back seat in the news cycle.
Is this a GOP issue?
In the media industry there is never any bad attention, contrary to what many in the public would like to think. Most of these people and entities are self absorbed and all attention is a benefit. The challenge comes from how the information is spun.
People, tomorrow look at the results for viewers from tonight's debate. Then compare these results to those of the previous debates. They are a barometer and no significant numbers were tuning in before. So, throw some salacious details in and we now have the makings of a block buster.
The GOP now have your attention. Not the issues plaguing many American etc.
This is a distraction and while many would like to think they are too shrewd to fall for the con, it is precisely the reason one become a victim, after all this is not Fox.
I have no idea whether these allegations against Cain are true but i do do know that many have allowed themselves to become victims- victims of the spin machine.
Here's come GOP/T-Party air wave wars.
Where are all the teabagger crazies posts? Is there a new story on immigration or OWS somewhere for theirhilarious posts? Or, are they just too embarrassed over the election beat-down yesterday?