In the meantime, check out our cheat sheet on what to watch for in tonight’s debate.
* Cain as marked man: The hardest thing in politics, as in life, is to find a second, successful act. While Cain, the former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza, is still riding a wave of momentum, hard questions have begun to be asked about his policies — from the now famous “9-9-9” tax reform plan to his dearth of experience (or hard and fast positions) on foreign policy.
In last week’s Washington Post-Bloomberg News debate, the attacks against Cain were scattershot and largely launched by second or third tier candidates. Perry and Romney ignored him.
Does that change tonight? Do his rivals gang up on Cain — perhaps seizing on his admission over the weekend on “Meet the Press” that “9-9-9” would mean higher taxes for some — and force him on defense? And does Perry, who has fallen as quickly as Cain has risen, lead the charge in an attempt to win back conservatives?
* Perry’s last, best chance (again): By dint of the $17 million he raised (and the $15 million he still has in the bank), the Texas governor will keep getting second (and third and fourth) chances to make a good impression with Republican primary voters.
Las Vegas Republican debate: What to watch for
