As voters, we need to decide which candidate works for us. Which candidate and which party will help us succeed at this crisis point economically and politically.
The debates are one place where we can watch, listen and determine our own opinion. The Communities@WashingtonTimes.com is your place to join veteran writers and seasoned political pundits that care about your views, as they offer their views on the candidates and answer your questions and comments.
Join us as all eyes look South toward the University of North Florida, Jacksonville, tonight starting at 7:30 p.m. The two-hour debate begins at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on CNN (check your local listings) or you can watch the CNN live-streaming simulcast at CNN.com.
Either way, join the conversation here.
Our Communities pundits are:
WASHINGTON, January 26, 2012 – We are counting down to the Florida primary, which is being heralded as a make or break primary. There are 50 winner-takes-all delegate votes to be won in the Sunshine State.
Wednesday’s CNN/Time/ORC International survey reports that 36 percent of people likely to vote in Florida’s Tuesday, Jan. 31, Republican primary say they are backing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as the party's nominee, with 34 percent supporting former House Speaker Gingrich.
The debate tonight promises to be hugely interesting and, most likely, volatile.
Gingrich’s goal has to be cementing his grasp on the GOP nomination. With a 2 percent margin for error in the CNN pole, it is well within his reach. For political watchers and voters, the question is will he come to the podium as the calm seasoned, Washington veteran or the finger-pointing, bombastic Newt of the BIG idea.
Romney is coming to the podium with hopes to retain his lead as the top contender for the top spot of the Republican Party. Will Romney reinforce that his success is not something to apologize for? Will he stand a little straighter and deflect Gingrich's and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum’s attacks a little more forcefully?
Will he come out ready to stand tall as the true conservative on the stage; the one that has experience rebuilding failed businesses and managing people to work together toward a singular goal?
Then there is Santorum and Texas Rep. Ron Paul. Will Santorum regain the momentum of the conservative base in Florida that he captured in Iowa? Will Paul be allowed to speak what he and his followers feel is the only true common-sense, Constitution-based platform?
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