Local GOP debate watch parties
Tonight’s Republican presidential debate is expected to be the most-watched GOP primary debate…ever. Starring Donald Trump, the event will feature nine other candidates all aiming to make up ground on the brash New York billionaire. Demand for tickets to the event at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland was huge forcing the party to cut off requests days earlier than expected. For those interested in catching tonight’s debate with other like-minded individuals, the state GOP recommends these local viewing parties in Franklin County:
- The Ohio Republican Party will host a viewing at their offices (211 S 5th St, Columbus, OH 43215) with a Spanish translation available.
- Senator Rob Portman and the Dublin Republican Club will host a watch-party at the Montgomery Inn (4565 W. Dublin Grandville Rd.).
- The Dublin GOP will host a viewing at 7373 Christie Chapel Rd.
Tonight’s prime time debate begins at 9pm ET on the FOX News Channel. (jj)
Previous: Kasich, Christie, others – who made the cut for GOP debate? 8/4/15
With 17 declared candidates for the Republican presidential nomination, the real prize to the casual observer seems to be a spot on Thursday night’s debate stage. FOX News Channel, host of the event, has said that there is only reasonable room in the debate for ten candidates. (The remaining challengers are to debate each other in front of a presumed much smaller television audience earlier in the evening.)
FNC has laid out the criteria for making it to the prime time stage: the top ten candidates according to an average of five recent national polls. For some of these Republicans, it has been clear for awhile that they would make the cut…Trump, Walker, Bush. For others, it has been obvious that they would not make it…Fiorina, Pataki, Jindal. Many of the rest have been jockeying for position, trying to stir up attention to maybe pick up a point in the polls. Think Lindsey Graham calling Donald Trump a ‘jackass.’ Think Rick Perry calling Trump a ‘cancer on conservatism.’ Think Rick Santorum calling…er…uh…is Rick Santorum still in this thing?
Most analysts speculated that there were three candidates battling for the final two spots on the stage: Chris Christie, Rick Perry and John Kasich.
FOX News has now announced the candidates who will be on the prime time stage Thursday night in Cleveland and they are:
- Donald Trump
- Jeb Bush
- Scott Walker
- Mike Huckabee
- Ben Carson
- Ted Cruz
- Marco Rubio
- Rand Paul
- Chris Christie
- John Kasich
One of the last candidates in the race locks a spot for Thursday night in Cleveland…Governor John Kasich is in. Having announced just a few weeks ago, Kasich has remained mostly above the fray and will get his chance with the top contenders.
The debate airs Thursday night at 9pm ET. And just a reminder, it should be over in time for you to flip to Comedy Central to watch Jon Stewart’s final Daily Show.
Priorities, y’know.
(jj)
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