Luke Skywalker
Super Moderator
{vb:raw ozzmodz_postquote}:
Republican presidential candidates take part in the Des Moines debate on Jan. 28, 2016.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: Charlie Neibergall, AP)
Political junkies, rejoice: Every Saturday in February brings either a debate, primary or caucus. So cancel your weekend plans and settle in, starting with Saturday's Republican debate, where<span style="color: Red;">*</span>GOP candidates will take the stage just three days before the New Hampshire primary.
This time around, there's no<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Donald Trump boycott<span style="color: Red;">*</span>and alternative event, so you won't have to worry about flipping between channels. On Thursday, Trump said he's done accusing Ted Cruz<span style="color: Red;">*</span>of voter fraud in Iowa, but will that hold true<span style="color: Red;">*</span>once they're standing side-by-side on Saturday? Will there be a breakout moment for Chris Christie or John Kasich, who have placed all their eggs in the New Hampshire basket? Will Ben Carson show up in a fresh set of clothes, ready to overcome a week<span style="color: Red;">*</span>plagued by campaign turmoil?
No matter what, it's going to be an "incredible evening," according to Trump.
I very much look forward to tomorrow’s debate in New Hampshire—so many things to say, so much at stake. It will be an incredible evening!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 5, 2016
Here's our viewer's guide.
[h=2]When does it start?[/h]Coverage starts<span style="color: Red;">*</span>at 8 p.m. ET, with candidates taking the stage at 8:15. It'll air live on ABC and will be livestreamed on<span style="color: Red;">*</span>ABCNews.com.
[h=2]Where will the debate<span style="color: Red;">*</span>be held?[/h]The debate, sponsored by ABC News,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>WMUR and the<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Independent Journal Review,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>takes place<span style="color: Red;">*</span>at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H.
[h=2]Who will be in each debate?[/h]The stage will be a little less crowded this time around, with seven candidates:<span style="color: Red;">*</span>John Kasich, Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Ben Carson and<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Chris Christie.
[h=2]What about the undercard?[/h]Sorry, folks — it's lights-out for the undercard.<span style="color: Red;">*</span> Rand Paul, Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum all dropped out of the race over the past week.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Carly Fiorina failed to meet the debate qualification<span style="color: Red;">*</span>criteria (top-three finish in Iowa, top-six standing in an average of recent New Hampshire polls,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>or a top-six placement in national polls) — as did Jim Gilmore, he of #Gilmentum fame.
[h=2]Who will moderate?<span style="color: Red;">*</span>[/h]Moderators are World News Tonight<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Anchor<span style="color: Red;">*</span>David Muir<span style="color: Red;">*</span>and This Week<span style="color: Red;">*</span>co-anchor<span style="color: Red;">*</span>and chief global affairs correspondent<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Martha Raddatz.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>WMUR anchor<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Josh McElveen and conservative journalist<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Mary Katharine Ham will also question the candidates.
[h=2]This is the EIGHTH debate? How many more are there?[/h]There are four more Republican debates on the calendar, along with five more Democratic debates. If it's all just too much for you, decompress with our brand new political coloring book.
[h=2]So what happened in the first seven GOP debates?[/h]Quite a bit. Check out some of our coverage:
Aug. 6 in Cleveland:
ONPOLITICS
The GOP primary debate: Five takeaways
USA TODAY
First Take: Trump gets spotlight, but it might burn
Sept. 16 in<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Simi Valley,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Calif:<span style="color: Red;">*</span>
ONPOLITICS
Six takeaways from the second Republican debate
USA TODAY
After Round 2: Can you say 'President Trump'?
Oct. 28 in<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Boulder, Colo.:<span style="color: Red;">*</span>
ONPOLITICS
Six takeaways from the GOP Colorado debate
USA TODAY
Analysis: A new and rougher phase in the GOP debate
Nov. 10 in Milwaukee:<span style="color: Red;">*</span>
ONPOLITICS
Six takeaways from the Milwaukee Republican debate
USA TODAY
Punch, counterpunch ... and even policy at fourth Republican debate
Dec. 15 in Las Vegas:<span style="color: Red;">*</span>
USA TODAY
Six takeaways from the fifth Republican debate
USA TODAY
Analysis: A combative time, a combative debate for top Republican candidates
Jan. 14 in North Charleston, S.C.
USA TODAY
Six takeaways from the South Carolina Republican debate
USA TODAY
Debate analysis: Smaller field, higher stakes, tougher jabs
Jan. 28 in Des Moines
USA TODAY
Six takeaways from the Iowa Republican debate
USA TODAY
Debate analysis: The man who wasn't there? He was.
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