The number of debates in the Republican primary has essentially become a punchline. Nineteen verbal slugfests does seem a like a lot, but make no mistake — performing well the NBC debate to be held at 9 P.M. in Tampa on Monday night is now critical. After all, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich just pulled off a thirteen point win in the South Carolina contest on the back of his debate performances, erasing a double digit Romney lead in a matter of six days.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=102139