I HOPE THEY NAIL MCCAIN WHEN THEY ASK HIM QUESTIONS ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION!

MB debate details (live blog tonight)

Posted on Thu, Jan. 10, 2008
Choosing a President Posted on Thu, Jan. 10, 2008
Immigration reform a hot-button issue

Live blog tonight

USC political science professor Blease Graham blogs live at TheState.com from the GOP debate tonight in Myrtle Beach.Six Republican candidates will be debating tonight in Myrtle Beach. The debate will be aired by Fox News Channel at 9 p.m. (Fox News is channel 37 on Time Warner Cable in Columbia)

The lineup:

- Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani
- Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee
- Arizona U.S. Sen. John McCain
- Texas U.S. Rep. Ron Paul
- Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney
- Former Tennessee U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson

Who's left out: California U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter

How the cut was determined: Candidates invited needed at least 5 percent support in national polling or to place in the top five in the New Hampshire Republican Presidential Primary.

The venue: Myrtle Beach Convention Center, with a capacity of up to 10,000 people
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WHAT THE CANDIDATES MUST DO TO WIN THE DEBATE

----- RUDY GIULIANI

Former New York City mayor

To score points: Giuliani must cast himself as an accomplished CEO and proven problem-solver, credentials others in the field lack.

He wants to avoid: Being pressed on his support of abortion rights and gay marriage, stances that put him at odds with many S.C. Republicans.

He can claim victory if: He convinces voters he is the candidate who can win in November and is best equipped to manage the war in Iraq and protect the United States from terrorists.

----- MIKE HUCKABEE

Former Arkansas governor

To score points: He must be likable, which apparently comes easy to this Southerner.

He wants to avoid: Appearing weak on foreign policy knowledge. Any slip-up reinforces the idea he doesn’t understand those issues.

He can claim victory if: He manages to stand firm on social issues that make him appealing to conservatives while also convincing moderates he can govern right of center.

----- JOHN MCCAIN

Arizona U.S. senator

To score points: McCain must make the debate about experience and his fitness to be an effective president immediately.

He wants to avoid: Having to explain his failed immigration plan, which critics said gave amnesty to illegal immigrants.

He can claim victory if: Post-debate pundits are still calling him the “comeback kid.â€