Previewing the CNN GOP South Carolina Presidential Debate: The Final Four – 1/19/12

UPDATE: Watch complete video of the Debate.

The final four GOP Presidential Candidates will square-off tonight in a crucial debate on CNN just ahead of Saturday’s South Carolina Primary. The debate will air at 8:00 PM ET on CNN.

With the departure of Rick Perry from the race today, it will allow for more time for each candidate to respond to questions. You can expect Newt Gingrich to continue being aggressive and try to repeat his performance in Monday night’s debate. He will become more of a target, likely from Rick Santorum, who has fallen well back of Gingrich in the battle to become the conservative alternative to Mitt Romney. Santorum has to try and bring Gingrich down. If he finishes a distant third or fourth in South Carolina, it’s hard to see a winning way forward for him in the race.

Mitt Romney must have a better performance than he did on Monday. He needs to be aggressive and must have a clear answer on the tax questions he will face. You can also expect CNN to work in questions for Newt Gingrich about the interview his ex-wife, Marianne, has given to ABC News. Gingrich could try to turn this into a plus by attacking the media, saying this is a perfect example of how the media goes after conservatives any way they can – and that they will stoop to any low.

It should be a combative debate as the stakes are high and time is short for candidates to improve their standing.