SNEAK PEEK: Hope and History Rhyme

Thursday's GOP debate in South Carolina is the first since McCain's N.H. win.

ByABC News

January 9, 2008, 6:29 PM

January 9, 2008 -- 6 days until the Michigan primary

10 days until the Nevada caucuses

The Republican '08ers -- minus Duncan Hunter -- gather Thursday in Myrtle Beach, S.C., for their first debate since John McCain's New Hampshire victory.

The 90-minute showdown, which will be moderated by Brit Hume, gets underway at 9:00 pm ET and will be broadcast on the Fox News Channel.

Looking ahead, here are five two-part questions to consider for the next five weeks:

1. After picking up "silvers" in Iowa and New Hampshire, will the Romney name still be "gold" in Michigan? (Or will Romney's presidential bid end in the state where it began?)

2. Does the culinary endorsement for Barack Obama mean that it's time to stick a fork in Clinton's Nevada campaign? (Or does Rory Reid's hunger to be Secretary of the Interior overcome the backing of a union which represents 60,000 casino workers?)

3. Can the one-two punch of Eric Woolson and Trust Huckabee repeat their magic in South Carolina? (Or will Huckabee be handcuffed by his Iowa pledge to stay positive?)

4. Can Rudy Giuliani convince the press not to write off his candidacy before Florida votes on Jan. 29? (Or will people learn that he didn't falter in New Hampshire for a lack of trying?)

5. Will Barack Obama come under further media scrutiny? (Or will Bill Clinton's least favorite "fairy tale" continue?)

The kicker:

"Let's not have Obama suffer for the mistakes of the pollsters."

--Karl Rove to NPR on Obama suffering from expectations built up by the media

On the campaign trail…

JOHN MCCAIN

-- Holds press conference, Columbia, SC

-- Holds town hall meeting with voters, Greenville, SC

-- Holds media availability, Greenville, SC