What to Expect at Tonight’s GOP Debate

First Read has a very good rundown of what to look for at tonight’s Republican presidential debate:

• Donald Trump: With all eyes on him, he’s smartly downplayed expectations and has emphasized that he intends to play nice. But he also has to deliver the same toughness and channel the same anger fueling his rise in the GOP polls.
• Jeb Bush: As we wrote yesterday, maybe no one has more on the line than Bush does. He’s had a rough last week — especially as Hillary Clinton has used him as a punching bag. And here’s the thing: He’s the most well-known unknown person (due to his last name) on that debate stage.
• Scott Walker: He has the buzz and the record, but does he look the part? That will be his biggest challenge of the night.
• Marco Rubio: Ditto. And he can’t afford to disappear at the debate — as he has disappeared from the 2016 scene these past few weeks.
• Mike Huckabee: If you want to place an early bet on the best performer of the night, Huckabee would be a smart call. He is the only one of the 10 who has actually participated in a presidential debate before. And he was routinely the best performer in the 2007-2008 debates.
• Ted Cruz: Can he handle the 60-second time limits and come across a bite more likeable than his perception, especially in DC?
• Ben Carson: His low-key demeanor could be a weakness. Can he display some fire and passion that don’t come across in his interviews?
• Chris Christie: He’s used to being the center of attention, but can he handle being on the outside looking in? How does he assert himself?
• John Kasich: Ditto.
• Rand Paul: Make no mistake: The Jesse Benton indictment has rocked the Ron/Rand Paul World, and the campaign needs a major pick-me-up from this debate.

The debate starts at 9 p.m. ET on Fox News.