CNN Reagan Library “kiddie table” GOP debate @6pm ET **live commentary thread**

[Mr. Morden]

CNN will broadcast two debates this evening, live from the Reagan Library in Simi Valley.  The first at 6pm ET for the 2nd tier candidates: Rick Santorum, Bobby Jindal, Lindsey Graham, and George Pataki.  Perry’s a quitter, and Gilmore’s invite was lost in the mail.

Jake Tapper, Dana Bash, and Hugh Hewitt will moderate the 1st tier debate, but I’m unclear on whether they also moderate the kiddie table.

Feel free to post any pre-debate chatter here during the day, then use this thread for live commentary during the 6pm debate.  Later tonight I'll unlock the other thread, which'll be for live commentary on the 8pm "big boys" debate.

[Mr. Morden]

Expect a fairly subdued crowd at tonight’s debates:

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/09/republican-debate-crowds-2016-213644#ixzz3lu0wHIg5

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Hugh Hewitt promises “tough queries about security and defense”:

http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/run-2016/2015/09/16/second-gop-debate-to-feature-foreign-policy-test

[Mr. Morden]

Sounds like Jake Tapper at least will be a moderator for both debates:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/if-youre-in-this-debate-you-may-have-already-lost/2015/09/15/9b16e05c-5bba-11e5-8e9e-dce8a2a2a679_story.html

That article also says that "CNN will require spectators to be in their seats for both debates Wednesday."  I hope they have a chance to get up for a bathroom break.  Otherwise, it's like watching the DVD cut of Return of the King without an intermission.

[Phony Moderate]

The beginning of Jindalmania.

[Tender Branson]

I'll probably watch the debates tomorrow morning.

Carson could definitely become the frontrunner soon if he has another good night.

[/]

Wow, only four left at the kiddy table...

Fiorina is mature enough to sit with the adults, Perry's bedtime came, and nobody likes Gilmore so they didn't leave him a seat.

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

The kiddie debate is going to be downright pathetic. Just look at this lineup of losers:



And they get an hour and 45 minutes all to themselves. Assuming about 15 minutes will be reserved for commercials and announcing the rules at the beginning, that means about 23 minutes per candidate that none of them actually deserve.

[I Will Not Be Wrong]

Could Carson become the front runner after tonight?

[Donald Trump 2016 !]

The kiddie debate is going to be downright pathetic. Just look at this lineup of losers:



And they get an hour and 45 minutes all to themselves. Assuming about 15 minutes will be reserved for commercials and announcing the rules at the beginning, that means about 23 minutes per candidate that none of them actually deserve.

15 minutes only? It seemed like half the Fox kiddie debate was devoted exclusively to commercial advertising.

[Phony Moderate]

Ironically, Pataki has probably achieved more in his political career than almost every other candidate in this field.

[Orthogonian Society Treasurer]

This all seems so futile.

[Mr. Morden]

One hour to go time.

And a reminder that while the kiddie table debate is 1 hour 45 min, the 8pm debate for the 1st tier candidates is three hours long (like Gilligan's Island).  Yes, three hours.  Would that make it the longest presidential primary debate in US history?

I don't know, but Trump isn't happy:

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/gop-primaries/253889-trump-cnn-is-milking-three-hour-debate

[Phony Moderate]

Three ing hours? That'll end at 4am my time...time to get the coffee in.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Finks. How am I going to watch the new South Parks??

[Crumpets]

Lol. CNN just did this whole thing about Nancy Reagan being at the debate, and how amazing it is that she made it there at age 94, only to find out the woman they were showing wasn't Nancy Reagan.

[/]

Lol. CNN just did this whole thing about Nancy Reagan being at the debate, and how amazing it is that she made it there at age 94, only to find out the woman they were showing wasn't Nancy Reagan.

Yeah, I was just about to post this. It was hilarious.

[/]

Heh, they just aired a Christie ad. First 2016 ad I've seen all year.

[Mr. Morden]

WaPo profiles the three moderators:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/09/16/meet-the-three-people-moderating-wednesdays-republican-presidential-debate/

[Likely Voter]

Heh, they just aired a Christie ad. First 2016 ad I've seen all year.

Tonight is a near death experience for Christie. If CNN were using the FOX rules (avg of last 5) he wouldn't even be on stage. I think he and his super PAC are going to blow much if not most of their remaining cash between now and the CNBC debate because if he gets relegated down it is probably over for him.

[/]

WaPo profiles the three moderators:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/09/16/meet-the-three-people-moderating-wednesdays-republican-presidential-debate/

I saw "Jake Tapper: A tough-but-fair reputation" but at first it looked like "Jake Tapper: A tough-but-fair Republican" and I'm like D:

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

So hyped for Pataki and Santorum to get at it!

[/]

I hope CNN fulfills its promise to have more back-and-forth between candidates in this debate, instead of the boring ol' Q&A.

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

I hope CNN fulfills its promise to have more back-and-forth between candidates in this debate, instead of the boring ol' Q&A.

Yeah, I thought the Voters First Forum was more entertaining than the Fox early debate.

[Figueira]

Jerry Brown just anti-endorsed Trump.

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

Does anyone have a livefeed to the debate? I don't have CNN in my house.