Food Fight! Or, the CNN GOP Primary Debate – [Open Thread]

CDN invites you to comment on your observations after the main debate of the Republican Primary Debate at the Ronald Reagan Library Wednesday at 8 pm.

Who’s on the main stage?

The eleven attendees for tonight’s debate are  Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, Jeb Bush, Rand Paul, Scott Walker, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Mike Huckabee, Chris Christie and John Kasich.

What to expect in tonight’s debate:

CNN is reportedly lining up questions for the main debate attendees that will elicit conflict among the candidates. Ratings are ratings and CNN needs all they can get. This tactic is sure to produce the largest number of sound bites for tomorrow morning’s news programs.

The debate will likely focus on the three non-politicians: Donald Trump, Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina. The three of them hold the support of 56% of those polled in the most recent political survey.

CNN’s tactic will be to get candidates to attack Trump so that he is given an opportunity to respond. The resulting chest-thumping, name-calling bluster will likely only be outnumbered by the number of times Trump says “winning” and “I.”

Carly Fiorina has already promised to give Trump an earful at this event. “Mr. Trump’s going to be hearing quite a lot from me” she said in an interview with CNBC’s John Harwood.

Fiorina has gained momentum since her stellar debate performance in the first GOP pre-debate forum. She has received even more attention after Trump attacked her appearance with his ill-thought “look at that face” insult. Carly has since turned Trumps insult into a rallying cry.

The former HP CEO’s momentum caused CNN to alter its candidate selection criteria and add the eleventh spot so that she would make the main event.

Rand Paul has also pledged to trade blow with the celebrity billionaire. Despite falling numbers since his first attempt at facing off with Trump, Paul said “I think he deserves both barrels. I want to make sure everyone in the whole country knows he’s a fake conservative.”

Soft-spoken Ben Carson has jumped to statistical parity with Trump in the latest CNN poll. Carson has also said that he doesn’t feel that attacking Trump is necessary or beneficial. Look for him to be the even-tempered candidate on the stage.

The others will likely hope to get Trump to attack them so that they get an extra 30 seconds of prime time T.V. exposure.

Any way it’s sliced, tonight’s debate will be an event. Barbs will be traded, podiums will be pounded on and insults will fly.

Let us know your impressions in the comment section below!

Don’t have cable? Here’s how to watch the CNN debate:

CNN will be offering a free live stream of the debate HERE.