7 things to watch at the CNN Republican debate
Simi Valley, California (CNN)Donald Trump will play the lead role in the second Republican presidential debate tonight -- but his rivals are jockeying to steal his spotlight.
As the GOP's frontrunner, Trump will once again take center stage at CNN's debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. With Reagan's Air Force One as the backdrop, Trump will be flanked by retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who has been increasingly eager to take on the combative businessman.
Meanwhile, one newcomer to the prime-time debate -- Carly Fiorina -- seems poised and ready to take on Trump directly.
With the Iowa caucuses less than five months away and pressure mounting for the middle-tier candidates, the CNN debate offers an opening for candidates to deliver a presidential performance -- and avoid getting lost in the Donald Trump show. But a misstep could damage their presidential prospects.
Here are seven things to watch in tonight's debate:
What will Trump say this time?
The question isn't whether Trump will shock and awe -- but how?
At last month's GOP debate, the wealthy real estate magnate had the audience both booing and cheering within minutes of taking the stage, when he refused to rule out a third-party run and took a shot at comedian Rosie O'Donnell.
His unorthodox performance has only fueled his popularity -- his national numbers have gone up and he's leading in key states like Iowa and New Hampshire.
But while Trump will no doubt deliver another explosive performance Wednesday, the debate stage this week will probably feel more hostile than last time.
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In the six weeks since the first debate in Ohio, Trump's rivals including Bush, Carson, Fiorina and Rand Paul have grown more confrontational, more willing to air their grievances against the frontrunner.
"Donald Trump is the debate's Rorschach test -- every competitor sees something different in him," said Ron Nehring, Ted Cruz's California state chairman. "Now that things are getting more serious and some of the weaker candidates are under financial pressure to move up or drop out, it will be interesting to see how they respond."
In a Tuesday interview on CNN's "The Lead," Paul said he would highlight Trump's past positions on issues like eminent domain, Obamacare and taxes that will make conservatives uncomfortable.
"When Americans know that, when conservatives know that, they're going to run away with their hair on fire," Paul said.
Trump vs. Fiorina
Can Fiorina do the impossible -- and upstage The Donald?
With a standout performance at the first GOP debate and a subsequent uptick in the polls, the former Hewlett-Packard CEO won a spot at the main debate alongside her top-ranking rivals. With her quick, effortless delivery and sharp attack lines, Fiorina seems one of the best equipped in Wednesday's lineup to take Trump head-on.
Dan Pfeiffer, former adviser to President Barack Obama, said Monday on "The Lead" that Trump may be better off staying away from Fiorina altogether.
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