The Elephants, I mean Republicans are on stage!

Well dinner is done, and I’m ready to blog!

Republican candidates have likely completed their walk through. The Donkeys finished their debating on Sunday night. One may say Hillary was the victor, some say Mike Gravel is going to be the last one standing for his comment on english being the official language of the United States, but many say Barack Obama and his leadership will lead him into the White House. Some are saying that Kucinich, Biden, and Dodd have all helped there reputations by speaking out. However some of the Democratic candidates for our nations highest office barked at the people in charge of the debates because they didn’t get enough time on camera, and not a fair amount of time to voice their feelings, messages and opinions.

Tonight the Republicans will take to the glass podiums. Expect a big night from Congressmen Ron Paul of Texas, and Congressman Tom Tancredo of Colorado. Tancredo is well represented in the free speech zone outside of the Sullivan Arena. Tancredo's people have littered the Manchester area with Tancredo signs. Tom Tancredo and Duncan Hunter another Republican Candidate have set Immigration and Border Control respectively as their issues to depend on. Most recently Hunter voted yes on a bill that would provide funding in Iraq without setting withdrawal deadlines for troops

Ron Paul seems to be well supported here in Manchester outside of the debate hall in the free speech area. Paul will likely use his words tonight to silence those critiques who say he is solely supported on the internet. Paul supports lowering taxes, and worries about our nation’s debt. Paul also stresses personal liberties and privacy and stated – we as a nation need to, "drastically limit the ability of government to collect and store data regarding citizens’ personal matters."

Arizona Senator John McCain will take part in the debate tonight from Manchester. The Senator has a strong stance on the war in Iraq, and believes we must remain in Iraq. McCain’s website states, "A greater military commitment now is necessary if we are to achieve long-term success in Iraq." McCain was a POW during the Vietnam War. In 2000 McCain ran for the presidential nomination. McCain is setting his issues on the war in Iraq, Government spending and fiscal discipline, also included veterans benefits as a top issue.

Tommy Thompson is a strong advocate of the war in Iraq. Governor Thompson believes, "the debate over short-term military solutions and defunding of the troops’ mission is shortsighted and counterproductive." Thompson argues that the United States should rebuild Iraq, with strong economic and political infrastructures.

Below is a list of the 10 candidates taking part –
Duncan Hunter, California Congressman
Mitt Romney, Former Massachusetts Governor
John McCain, Arizona Senator
Rudy Giuliani, Former NYC Mayor
Ron Paul, Texas Congressman
Tom Tancredo, Colorado Congressman
Sam Brownback, Kansas Senator
Mike Huckabee, Arkansas Governor
Jim Gilmore, Former Virginia Governor
Tommy Thompson, Lawyer, Businessman

We are about 20 minutes away from the debate going live around the country. Enjoy our blogs over the next few hours. Frank Blais and Eric Jackman are in the debate hall now and will be returning with pictures of the candidates at the podiums soon! You don’t want to miss those historical photos.