Jeb Bush
If you just can't wait for Thursday evening's Republican presidential debate(s), fear not. You can get a sort of preview Monday evening with the Voters First Presidential Forum. The event, held in New Hampshire and sponsored by the
Union Leader, the state's leading, and historically Republican, newspaper, will offer candidates five minutes each to answer questions individually. That's right—it's not a debate with cross-talk and sniping, but there should be plenty of opportunity for the candidates to show themselves nonetheless.
Fourteen candidates are slated to participate in the forum, which is a great chance to curry favor in New Hampshire and specifically with the Union Leader. Donald Trump will not be participating, but Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, Lindsey Graham, Bobby Jindal, John Kasich, George Pataki, Rand Paul, Rick Perry, Marco Rubio, Rick Santorum, and Scott Walker will all be involved. However, they won't all be there in person:
The Senate plans to hold a key vote Monday on defunding Planned Parenthood, a move many Republican candidates have been championing. The Union Leader reports that will keep Sens. Ted Cruz (Tex.). Rand Paul (Ky.) and Marco Rubio (Fla.) in Washington, where they will participate remotely. Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (S.C.) plans to be there, the Union Leader reported. Look for senators not appearing in person to remind voters of the work they are doing in Washington in the debate over abortion rights.
The forum will air on CSPAN from 7 PM until 9 PM eastern time.