Five Key Things to Watch for in Republican Primary Debate

A candidate's performance in a presidential debate can make or break a campaign.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio's dressing down at the hands of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie represented the death knell for a once-promising White House bid in 2016. Former Hollywood actor Ronald Reagan's commanding performances at the microphone over the course of the 1980 presidential campaign arguably won him the Republican nomination and, later, the presidency. And in a 1992 debate against Democratic challenger Bill Clinton, then-President George H.W. Bush's decision to check his watch during an audience question about the economy helped cement an image of him as out-of-touch with the concerns of working Americans, rushing him along to a crushing debate in November.

The Republican field of candidates this cycle will inherit an unprecedented and arguably insurmountable challenge as they seek to defeat a two-time nominee in their party, former President Donald Trump, who holds a commanding lead in most national polls. They will also have to do so as the man they seek to beat isn't on the same stage—Trump has already announced he will not participate in any debates this presidential cycle, much to the chagrin of party leadership. But in a race for second place, there is a lot for the prospective candidates to gain, particularly given a front-runner whose campaign war chest is committed to fighting off 91 criminal charges in four different jurisdictions.