CLEVELAND — As the largest GOP field ever takes the stage Thursday night for the hotly anticipated first presidential debate, all eyes will be on the unexpected front-runner, Donald Trump, who, like any good showman, is promising to perform in unscripted glory.
The potentially combustible Fox News Channel debate, which begins at 7 p.m. MDT in the arena home of LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, features Trump as the wild card.
Will he hold his own amid tough questioning from the moderators? Will he draw blood from his opponents? Will he commit a mistake that deflates his candidacy, or will he appear presidential and broaden his base of support?
By virtue of his polling lead, Trump will be positioned at center stage, flanked by Jeb Bush and Scott Walker, who have averaged second and third, respectively.
The rest of the top 10 candidates will fan out from there, while the remaining seven candidates will participate in a 3 p.m. MDT undercard debate.
