GOP hopefuls prepare to take debate stage

Eleven contenders will face off again at the second Republican presidential debate on Wednesday, with candidates expected to step up criticism of poll leader Donald Trump. For questions, contact Sally Morrow.

Donald Trump is barreling into tonight’s CNN debate with more than a dozen other candidates aiming to take him on and break through the cluttered field. They all profess an attachment to God but they want to duke it out about how much that matters in public policy.

“I will say this though”, Trump continued, “Hugh was giving me name after name-Arab name, Arab name, Arab-and there are few people anywhere, ANYWHERE, that would have known those names”.

Trump has responded critical Bush speaks Spanish at campaign events and calling the former Florida Governor low-energy and boring.

The face-off will be the first time Trump has been on stage with former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina.

Moderator Jake Tapper is hoping candidates will “actually debate” during Wednesday night’s second primetime debate, while CNN is featuring a live online stream on their home page.

To watch in company, Busby’s West is hosting a viewing party tonight, conducted by republican organizations.

Senator Rand Paul said Mr Trump’s habit of hurling personal insults made him “worried to have someone like that in charge of the nuclear arsenal”.

Aides to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, another conservative favorite who is now trailing Trump, have promised that their candidate will also step up at the debate. On either side: retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

You’d never know from watching this debate that he’s number two in the polls. “I believe what he puts out there is going to be the truth and he’ll most likely act on it, not like most of the politicians we’ve seen in the recent past”, Anderson said.

Rick Santorum, Bobby Jindal, George Pataki and Lindsey Graham will participate in an “undercard” debate at 6 p.m. Eastern (2200 GMT).

The debate starts on CNN at 8 p.m. ET. The novelty has now worn off, and Trump, still the leader of the pack, is now a target – of Republicans, Democrats and immigration protesters.