Giuliani vs. McCain? It's debatable

Digital Markets Blog presidential campaign 2008 special series on what I am calling “User Generated Politics”

UPDATE 5/6/07:Reagan, Schwarzenegger win big in Republican debate

Eight Democrats lock horns (online): So what? last Thursday. Tonight, ten Republicans get their chance.

The first Republican debate in of the 2008 presidential race is set for 8pm EST. As with the Democrat’s show, the face-off will be broadcast on MSNBC.

Rather than being in the limelight of a “liberal,” South Carolina college campus, however, the Ronald Regan legacy will loom as the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, is the stage.

Here are the Republican contenders this evening:

Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Tom Tancredo, Ron Paul, Duncan Hunter, Sam Brownback, Tommy Thompson, Jim Gilmore.

Host affiliate NBC graciously offers Republican front runners debate do's and don'ts.

Rudy Giuliani
DO: Emphasize those 9/11 credentials; have good answers for Bernie Kerik, your 3 marriages, your disgruntled son and the gay couple you moved in with after your second marriage; have policy proposals besides those relating to 9/11.

DON'T: Remind voters of the pre-9/11 Rudy; propose that other members of your family will join your Cabinet; attack any other candidate.

John McCain
DO: Note you're the most consistent conservative; show your good humor; begin to distance yourself from Bush (when appropriate); and smile -- a lot.

DON'Tt: Display your infamous temper; remind GOP voters that you're Bob Dole, 2.0; try to sing any Beach Boys knock-offs (it shows age more than you realize).

Mitt Romney
DO: Remind yourself you're not debating Ted Kennedy or Shannon O'Brien; flash your great smile and mane of hair; refer often to your sweetheart, Ann Romney.

DON'T: Tell your great squirrel-hunting story; answer that Joseph Smith is your moral leader; get spooked that the Boston Globe is going to dissect everything you say; utter the word "dianetics." 

PS: The Democrats DID NOT heed “helpful” NBC “advice” last week, neither will the Republicans tonight.

What WAS the Democratic debate outcome? Hillary Clinton in command for ‘when’ President