Things to Watch in Tonight's GOP Debate

The Republican candidates are back at it tonight in a debate expected to focus on foreign policy. David A. Graham at the Daily Beast has five things to watch, including:

• Artful dodges: Yeah, the theme is foreign policy, but given weak voter interest, expect the candidates to pivot toward national issues as much as possible and "spin their answers" accordingly.
• Rick Perry: He needs a big night, but the subject matter makes that a near impossibility. Ditto for Herman Cain. They both just need to avoid big mistakes.

• Romney, Paul, Gingrich: These three should dominate. Expect Romney to be bland, Gingrich to show off and maybe draw "some blood," and Paul to "turn the conversation in unexpected directions, and rile up his opponents by challenging conventional GOP wisdom on American gunboat (and warplane) diplomacy against Iran and elsewhere."

Click for the full post. Or see Politico's take on how Jon Huntsman just might shine given his experience in China. (More GOP debate stories.)