E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSGOP 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
Click here to sign up for First Read emails.
Text FIRST to 622639, to sign up for First Read alerts to your mobile phone.
Check us out on Facebook and also on Twitter. Follow us @chucktodd, @mmurraypolitics, @DomenicoNBC, @brookebrower
Leave a Comment:
Royal- I agree with you! Where is the coverage of OWS? Even our local news lead off with Cain, like it was Ent Tonight. I'm sick of it. There are 3 or 4 stories about Cain, who cares, let the GOP figure it out, let the Koch bros take care of their brother! I do want him to get the nomination though! Tonight will be more of the same, bashing health care reform, and faux noise talking points!
There's been so many debates,that it should be a sitcom spinoff like "Who's the biggest loser this week?".
Cain's little "news conference" reminded me of Zod's little speech in which he said, "You WILL bow down to me! Not only YOU, but someday, your HEIRS!"
You WILL elect me president, Cain says.
Ah, no.
I hope GOP establishment & moderate give a good look @ Former Gov. Jon Huntmans plans tonight. Let T&E (T& Evangelicals) folks go for Mr. 9-9-9 AkA little Koch's brother from another mother. Anyway they willing to send their hard earn money & their women to him.
BTW Mr. Herman Cain prefer good looking blond or Burnett ladies only.
Herman Koch-Cain.
Just say no.
GOP suporters must be happy, they got Sarah Palin reencarnation in the presidential race; I'm talking about Herman Cain, he's as dumb as Palin, he doesn't know anything about the real world conflicts, his main purpose in life has been only to harass blonde chics, and lie about it, it takes a real man to accept his mistakes, and a liar to deny everything; EXCUSE ME, EXCUSE ME ! JUST DON'T EVEN GO THERE!, Don't even bother Mr. Cain you'll never win the GOP nomination, there is no place for an african-american with the tea parties radicals! EXCUSE ME, EXCUSE ME but that's the real truth!
The "Gross Odd People" (GOP), and "Really Not Competent" (RNC) are bringing the "Clown Show" to the great state of Michigan. Look out my fellow citizens from the great state of Michigan. Here comes the GOP "Carnival Of Clowns" ready to spew their political poison. If the people of Michigan see a "Romulian Bird Of Prey flying over their air space? Please call the US Air Force immediately! Now that is funny! Yes Michigan. The fiip-flopping of "Nutty Newt," and "Romulian Romney" will even make Mickey Mouse laugh. Oh no! Don't look now Michigan! It is the "Bitchy Bachmann!" Her continued mental illness is as "Scary" as "Perry." The latest rotten rants of "Bitchy Bachmann" has been very alarming, and the smell of rotten tea bags follows her everywhere. Do you hear the "Circus Music" yet Michigan?? Are the people of Michigan spotting the GOP Elephants entering their state?? On No!! Here come the mentally disturbed mentally ill GOP Elephants! WOW! What a joke!
Pizza Man may be center stage now but in no more than 2 weeks, he will be OFF the stage. And it's a shame. I would live to see the teapublicans nominate him and -- have either Bachmann or Palin as his VP.
I will be watching to see what new ideas and approaches the candidates have come up with during the past month. I hope not too much time is focused on sex, as our country needs ideas on the economy, foreign policy, and political reform from top to bottom. I hope I hear more about those issues than about Herman Cain's crotch.
I will also be covering the debate on my podcast this Friday, giving my thoughts on it from a moderate point of view.
I look forward to substance over style tonight.
Allegedly:
1. He knew she was jobless requesting his help. .
A. Why did HE initiate a suite upgrade for someone not an employee--and then claim credit to her? Examine the documentation of the upgrade, the association's contract, and if/how he used association resources and/or good will to achieve it. Who else knew about the upgrade--no one?
B. He did not have to "remember" her to grab her—especially after she said no, when he had motivation to "forget" it? Two women are not anonymous. Money claims are not involved. Why four individuals at last count, at least one supported by sworn affidavits of statements at the time?
C. He stated he will "absolutely" take a lie detector test if there is a reason. According to him, his integrity is important. Where is the test?
D. He said he was found "blameless" and the complaints "false". By whom and how? A paid settlement reciting "not an admission of liability" is not a determination of "blameless".
E. The Board has a fiduciary duty to safeguard the resources of the association. What was the process, who knew and was supposed to know, who approved the result and amount, and why?
F. What is the basis for the "Democrat Machine" claim—actions, individuals? (This follows blaming Perry, and the victims.)
If to prove he is telling the truth is not a good reason, then what is?
Blowhard Cain's 15 minutes are up. Now the Energy Lobby will have to dig up another dumb Republican to bribe and bankroll. I hear Perry is always ready for a handout from big oil.
I build great companies, I motivate thousands of employees. Does the world call me the great businessman? No. I ask a few employees to taste my black walnut and the world calls me Herman the Pervert. A few bad things carry more weight than a thousand good things, the scale must be fixed.
If the people asking questions about Cain sexual activities can draw boos from the crowd. and draw in millions of dollars............ I say bring back Weiner! He is a better man and has lot more intelligent about politics than Cain could even dream about.
Herman Cain denies newest allegations !
Politics is like sports.
If Joe Paterno has to go becasue of asex scandal so does Herman Cain. At some point politics has to imitatereal ife. If 2 Congressmenare forced toresign because of sexy pictures and "nothing happened" then too Herman Cain has to go too.We can't have less of a stardard for congress than the President.
Keeping Cain ononly send the message that sex harassment is alrright for Republicans.
Remeberwhen they wanted to get Bill Clinton? Where are those some voices now about HermanCain? they are no where.
They have one standard for Demcorats anda differentone for themselves.
GOP-Grand Old Perverts
Huntman'sode to OccupyWallStreet was nice,but a littlelate inthe day. Where was he when AIG got all the bail out money? Where was he when the Royal Back of Scotland got all that money? Where was he whenDuetchland bank got bail out money? theyhad 3 years t oscream about it and they said nothing.
Where were they when they confirmed the bonuses to Wall Street Executives after every bond house went down. Not even John McCainsaid a word.
To hear them tell it it was so terrible. They didn't thinkso then.Herman Cain for exmple wrote a series of colmns praising the bailout, and even whentso far as to say "Taxpayers can make a profit on it"
If it is porfitable,how can it be bad?
Herman Cain denies newest allegations !
home.comcast.net/~ps12users/Toons/Herman_Cain_Penn_State.html
The GOP race is a joke the media uses this to give all who wont time to degrade our president. Insted of talkeing abought what they will do for the country.