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FNC Digital Politics Editor Chris Stirewalt and The Washington Examiner’s Susan Ferrechio on the Republican presidential debate in Iowa.
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President Obama today again -- so called Green jobs in Michigan and attending -- fund raising events here in New York City tonight.
-- eight Republican presidential contenders are preparing for our critical debate in Iowa sponsored by Fox News joining me now from Ames Iowa.
Fox News digital politics senator Chris star Walt.
Also weather is Susan Perugia they Washington examiner chief congressional correspondent one of the moderator -- from night's debate.
Thank you both for being here and -- how revved up are you are you gonna put these these candidates I mean are you going to just real them.
Mercilessly on this economy.
I think -- get some some rate responses that we've really work doesn't have some questions.
-- -- debt you know helping the voters see who these candidates are and what makes one candidate for the next -- lot of voters I've talked to said.
They're not sure what distinguishes one from the other and so our goal is to try at you know figure out -- these candidates to just show what's different.
-- their campaign from compared to another person so I think that's basically what we're aiming to -- She's being too modest I've been in the room while these questions were being crafted and I want to tell you if you they're going to color this -- -- after that things are done -- that she's got some tough stuff -- had some really tough stuff.
And it's going to be grade they're going to be fireworks on that stage and most importantly we're gonna hear about the economy and how they're gonna grow at.
Well that's the question that this for forces and it's there are so many foreign policy issues that face this nation.
There are so many economic issues none of those economic issues more important than the ability to return this nation.
To prosperity and the creation of millions of new jobs.
Are you confident Susan that these candidates have got plans have got a sense of the direction they want to take this country.
Well we're gonna find out I mean that's what this debate is all about.
It's up to them to so let us know what their plans are -- you know a lot of voters are talking about the problems in the economy they're looking for jobs.
They're worried about the debt and deficits and you know they wanna hear these -- they wanna know you know what are they gonna do that's different than what's been happening already for the past two years what's gonna be different.
And I think that's really the big questions tonight.
And and Chris as I watched President Obama and Michigan today.
Speaking to folks in his sleeves rolled up he's standing your opponent he's telling a house that they are political -- Which I thought was pretty interest thing given the staging it is -- there today.
There's a lot of political theater in this debate tonight.
Give us your your sense as to whether or not.
It's critically important for each one of these candidates to differentiate themselves not only from one another.
But critically from this president and his -- Well -- -- as the backdrop for everything He is the backdrop for all of this because.
He is driving what Republicans want.
He's changed the way Republicans see the politically.
The world and everything else and -- imperative is that He must He be.
There's one thing that every Republican agrees on.
That whatever it takes they've got to beat Obama because there's a genuine fear among American conservative that inside the Republican Party that -- Barack Obama is reelected.
That it's curtains in many ways for the conservative movement so they feel that pressure intently to what they're gonna be trying to do is ask themselves as.
Free market people they're going to try to pass themselves people who resist the concept of government intervention in the economy and do that play a little bit the Tea Party base.
But mostly demonstrate that they damage that they have the vigorous leadership and the kind of take charge attitude that is needed to turn the country around that's what it's all about for that.
And and a couple of governors are kind of playing -- role here.
You've got they're Governor Sarah Palin is showing up just about an hour south of you for the Iowa state fair.
Tomorrow you've got.
If you you've done governor Rick Perry showing up Saturday to make a very important announcement and that is gonna give a speech Sunday Susan.
And what role will they play.
Are they simply subtext context or will they move front and center in the mines and the discussion that I.
Why they're here it is still a headline there's no question about that so you know people are thinking about them I know a lot of voters.
We're telling me that there you know they wanna hear more from Perry there interested in Perry.
And he's not going to be at the debate tonight I think they'll be opportunities for it the candidates set to talk about who's not here and why it's important or not important.
-- ultimately you know we'll see whether or not this is good or bad that they.
-- decided not participate unstoppable but certainly I hear that to grab some headlines and I'm sure that they will.
Well those headlines start at 9 o'clock on the Fox News Channel and that we'll be watching you -- and listening very carefully series and as well as to the candidates and those other moderator is of years.
Chris thank you very much we appreciate that as always.
