National Security Issues Expected To Be Highlight Of Republican Debate

The terror attacks in San Bernardino and Sen. Ted Cruz’s rise in the Iowa caucus polls are expected to change the dynamic at Tuesday night’s debate, at The Venetian in Las Vegas.

The October 28 debate

Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

• Tuesday night's GOP debate begins around 8:30 p.m. ET at The Venetian in Las Vegas. It's being aired on CNN and is expected to last until 11 p.m. Wolf Blitzer will moderate.
• There's an "undercard" debate that begins at 6 p.m. ET featuring Lindsey Graham, Mike Huckabee, George Pataki and Rick Santorum.
• The prime time event will feature businessman Donald Trump, former neurosurgeon Ben Carson, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, former HP CEO Carly Fiorina, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul.
• A lot has changed since the last debate in terms of national security issues and political polls — expect those dynamics to come into play tonight.
• This is the first GOP debate after the terror attacks in San Bernardino that killed 14. The two assailants, the FBI said, were radicalized and pledged allegiance to ISIS.
• In the wake of the terror attack, Trump called for a ban on all Muslims entering the country. The proposal has drawn sharp rebukes from his opponents — look for them and the CNN moderators to challenge it — and seeming support from per of his voter base.
• In the polls, Cruz has surged to a lead in the Iowa caucuses, the first nominating contest of the season. Expect Trump and Rubio to go after him in hopes of diminshing his gains there.
• And Christie has gained wide appeal in New Hampshire, the second nominating contest. Following not far behind him is Rubio.
• Nationwide, an ABC News/Washington Post poll out Tuesday shows Trump at 38%, Cruz at 15%, and Rubio and Carson at 12%.

* Trump Supporter Yells "Light The Motherfucker On Fire" As Protester Is Dragged Away At Rally
* Trump Campaign Rally Erupts In Chaos And Ugly Confrontation
* House Republicans Form Task Force To Deal With Syrian Refugee Question
* Republicans Deal With The Politics Of Dems' New Favorite Question: Will You Support Nominee Trump?
* The Secret Plan To Nominate Mitt Romney From The Convention Floor
* Hispanic Republicans Blast Ted Cruz After Private Meeting With Campaign Chairman

from BuzzFeed - USNews http://ift.tt/1OtN3of