Sneak Peek: ABC News GOP Debate Sunday
August 3, 2007— -- Set two alarms, stay in on Saturday night and play Trivial Pursuit, whatever you have to do - there will be no sleeping in on Sunday morning!
George Stephanopoulos moderates the fourth Republican presidential debate (the first debate in the key state of Iowa) Sunday at 9:00 am ET as part of a special edition of "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" at Drake University.
The 90 minute debate will be the first gathering of the Republican presidential field since June 5.
Stay tuned for an ABC News Iowa specific poll on the Republican field on Sunday morning.
But of course you can't just watch the debate on TV -- follow all the ins and outs online Sunday here. ABC News' Rick Klein will be live-blogging during the debate and the ABC News Political Unit will provide real-time fact checking and analysis.
Staying in the Midwest…
If you didn't make it to Des Moines, then Chicago is the place to be this weekend. Especially if you have a "D" after your name, write about those with a "D" after their name or if you simply want to see what happens when hundreds of bloggers gather together in one place.
Days after they chose not to appeal to the center of their party at the DLC Convention, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Bill Richardson and Chris Dodd cozy up to the Democratic left wing at a 2:00 pm ET candidate forum at the YearlyKos Convention Saturday in Chicago, followed by separate Breakout Sessions with bloggers at 3:35 pm ET.
The candidates all will appear on stage together from 2-3:20pm ET at the candidate forum but are not allowed to engage each other, it's not a debate. (Fingers crossed that it happens organically.)
And don't forget to check out those potentially newsier candidate breakout sessions!!
Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Rahm Emanuel and Chuck Schumer attend an "Ask the Leaders" Forum at 9:00 am ET and DailyKos blogger Markos Moulitsas gives closing remarks at 8:30 pm ET.
The RNC responded with an internet video taking the Democratic candidates to task for ditching the DLC convention last week but flocking en masse to Chicago for the blogger-fest.
ABC News' Jake Tapper has the roundup of the RNC web video, Bill O'Reilly's campaign against anyone having anything to do with Kos and Jake's own interview with the powerful liberal blogger. LINK
In advance of the Republican presidential debate, ABC News has a poll on the other side and found that Iowa Democrats have found their perfect candidate. In three people.
ABC News' Gary Langer reports: "For experience, strength and electability – in Iowa as nationally – it's Hillary Clinton. But for likeability, empathy and a local focus, John Edwards pushes back strongly, far more so in Iowa than nationally. And Barack Obama has his own appeal, notably among younger Iowa voters and those looking for a new direction in politics."
For the umpteenth time Joe Biden rejected today the notion that he is running for Secretary of State in a 2008 Democratic administration, ABC News' Brian Wheeler reports.
The difference between this and previous denials is that he used it to take a shot at the two front-runners for the nomination. In an interview set to air Friday at 11pm ET on Bloomberg TV, Biden said of fellow Democratic candidates Clinton and Obama, "based on the foreign policy assertions made so far, I'm not sure I wouldn't be sort of a Colin Powell in their administration." He also told Bloomberg's Al Hunt that he didn't care to be a secretary of state "with no influence."
The President spends the weekend at Camp David. He welcomes the President of Afghanistan at 4:00 pm ET on Saturday and participates in a press availability with the President of Afghanistan at 11:25 am ET on Sunday.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
After attending a fundraiser in the Hamptons on Friday night, Hillary Clinton delivers a speech at the National Association of Police Organizations' 29th Annual Convention in Chicago at 12:30 pm ET and attends the YearlyKos Convention in Chicago. Following YearlyKos Hillary returns to the Hamptons to join her husband, for another evening reception at a private home.
While attending the YearlyKos Convention Chris Dodd meets with Ned Lamont, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Connecticut in 2006 at 4:30 pm ET.
Following the YearlyKos Convention Barack Obama spends his 46th Birthday at the Southern Christian Leadership Council Women's Awards Dinner and Celebration in Atlanta at 7:00 pm ET.
Following the YearlyKos Convention Richardson spends the weekend in Iowa.
On the Republican side…
Sam Brownback is in Iowa.
Mike Huckabee preps for the debate in Iowa.
Mitt Romney has no public schedule.
John McCain holds a town hall at 11:00 am ET in Ankeny, IA followed by a media availability at 12:15 pm ET.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Wake up, get your Starbucks and a bagel, and tune in to the fourth Republican debate on a special edition of "This Week with George Stephanopoulos."
Following the ABC News Debate Mike Huckabee attends an event in Correctionville, IA at 5:00 pm ET.
Mitt Romney tours Iowa with stops in Perry, Madrid and Ankeny.
Sam Brownback has a pro-life reception at Gabriel's Corner in Council Bluffs, IA at 7 pm ET
On the Democrat side…
Barack Obama flies from Atlanta to Park City with no public events, and ends up in Elko, NV for an appeal to rural Americans.
The Clintons attend a pancake breakfast at a private home in the Hamptons, an afternoon event in North Fork and a fundraiser in Riverhead.
John Edwards attends a Teamsters rally in Sioux City, IA at 12:15 pm ET and a community meetings in Orange City, Sheldon, Spirit Lake and Spencer.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Vice President Cheney holds a press availability upon his arrival in Albuquerque at 12:00 pm ET and delivers remarks at the 84th Marine Corps League National Convention in Albuquerque at 12:30 pm ET.
John McCain will give a major policy address on property rights in Cedar Rapids on Monday and will hold a media availability right after.
Mitt Romney campaigns in Florida with stops in Melbourne, Daytona Beach and Tampa.
Sam Brownback has a full day in Iowa with three coffee events, a book signing, lunch, tour of Becker Underwood, Inc., a house party in Ames IA and a meet and greet in Grove City, IA.
Bill Clinton will provide Opening Session remarks to the delegates and other participants at the annual convention of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in Atlanta at 9 am ET and attends a fundraiser for his wife in Destin, FL at 8:00 pm ET.
John Edwards gives a speech in Cedar Rapids at 12:00 pm ET.
POLITICAL STORIES ON ABCNEWS.COM:
ABC News' Gary Langer "Poll Finds Dems Neck and Neck in Iowa"LINK
ABC News' Jennifer Parker and Lindsey Ellerson "Strategist Says Blacks Are Obama's 'Base"LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper "All Hail Kos!"LINK
POLITICAL VIDEO ON ABCNEWS.COM:
Political Preview: Republican Debate Republican presidential candidates gather for a debate in Des Moines, Iowa.LINK
Bush: "Time is Short," asks Congress to stay in session until FISA bill is passed.LINK
Deciphering the Body Language of Politics:Is there a message in the subtle movements of the presidential candidates? LINK
