What to Read Before Tonight’s Republican Debate on CNN

Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson touted his past experiences during Tuesday night’s GOP presidential debate, arguing that the candidates who are not politicians are still viable to be commander in chief. Here’s how to watch in the Portland, Oregon, metro area, plus some background on what’s new. “Rand Paul in the prime-time debate”, a CNN spokeswoman said.

Developments since the last Republican debate on November 10 – the terror attacks in Paris, the mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, and Donald Trump’s controversial call to bar Muslims from entering the USA – should give the candidates plenty to talk about.

I also expect Chris Christie to come out swinging and he hopes to rise in New Hampshire. The second-tier debate will be at 3 p.m. Pacific time.

Follow along live with the Houston Chronicle’s political experts with the Twitter embed below.

Recent polling both nationally and in Iowa has shown Carson slipping, most recently down to 9 percent in Monday’s Monmouth University poll – the first time he has been in the single digits since mid-August. Lindsey Graham and former New York Gov. George Pataki – will appear in the first debate Tuesday evening, scheduled to begin at 5 P.M. Central Time.