GOP face off in early-state forum is also a debate preview

Days before the first official debate of the 2016 Republican presidential primary, almost every GOP White House hopeful is heading to New Hampshire.

Ahead of the first Republican presidential debate this week, the Union Leader, a newspaper in New Hampshire, is holding its own forum to give voters a chance to hear from the candidates.

The forum was put together after Fox News scheduled a “Top 10” candidate debate in Ohio scheduled for August. 6, but only allowed candidates that measured a certain amount of support in national polling to participate.

Billionaire businessman Donald Trump, who has dominated the GOP primary in recent weeks, is among the three major candidates who decided not to join.

Spiner said the speaking order will be determined randomly. After the initial round of questions, all the candidates will return to the stage for several more specific questions, giving them a chance to distinguish themselves from the rest of the field, Spiner said.

This week is shaping up as critical for the presidential candidacy of former Republican Gov. George Pataki of New York, who barely registers as a blip in national polls.

Jindal is unlikely to make the cut for high-profile, primetime Republican candidates debate sponsored by Fox News on Thursday.

Those on the bubble include South Carolina Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, U.S. Sen. It’s sponsored by various media outlets in the early presidential states of New Hampshire, Iowa and South Carolina.

In New Hampshire, WMUR-TV, NH1, and NECN, as well as radio stations NHPR, WGIR, NewsRadio 96.7 FM, Classic Country 1380 AM, and WTPL FM will all broadcast the debate.