Two weeks to go: Republicans scramble to make debate stage

[brooklynite]

Source: The Hill

The race is on for the final spots on stage for the first Republican debate.

With the highly-anticipated showdown less than two weeks away, candidates with low polling numbers are in a high-stakes scramble to qualify for an event that represents their best shot at breaking out.

Fox News is capping the Aug. 6 debate in Cleveland at 10 candidates based on five as-of-yet unspecified national polls released by 5 p.m. on Aug. 4.

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/249161-low-tier-republicans-scrambling-to-get-into-fox-news-debate

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Hmm, if you're on the bubble, how do you make travel arrangements and hotel bookings within 48 hours?

[Blue_Adept]

1. They're doing the preshow

Those that don't qualify for the debate are doing the pre-show that runs before it in the prime time news block. So they'd be "on site" anyway.

[onehandle]

2. Somebody needs to hire a few dozen clowns to entertain the press and onlookers outside these venues.

You can hire local clowns pretty cheaply.

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[rock]

11. Oh no!

You've confused the hired clowns with the Republican candidates! Oh no!

[onehandle]

12. Clown by association. nt

[Wellstone ruled]

3. Let us call these folks their true names.

Roger Ailes Clown Club Members. Next meeting is at the Fake Noise Machine's Headquarters in two weeks. Bring your own 3X5 note cards please. Stupid will be served during and after the meeting.

[BumRushDaShow]

14. "Bring your own 3X5 note cards"

Or better -

[Wellstone ruled]

15. You betchya!

Twit had to use her Eye Liner Pencil the way it looks. Stupid will still be served during Happy Hour.

[dbackjon]

4. So they are all trying to out-Trump each other.

[Liberal Veteran]

5. Ringling Bros. can assemble a stage for them in a day.

Oh, wait....I misunderstood the headline.

[Buzz Clik]

6. I love these poll numbers:

Christie looks to be in the best shape of the bunch, sitting in 9th place with 2.8 percent support. Perry and Kasich are tied for 10th with 1.8 percent support, followed by Fiorina and Santorum at 1.4 percent, and Jindal at 1.2. (By contrast, the lowest of the top eight, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), has 5.4 percent support; the highest, Donald Trump, has 18.2 percent.)

The margin of error in these polls typically run 3-5%, so only Ted Cruz and higher are beating the margin of error.

[brooklynite]

7. "The margin of error in these polls typically run 3-5%"

Hmm, so Jindal could actually be polling at -4?

[lark]

8. Hmm, making Repug candidates spend extra $ at the front of the race?

Money they wanted to save for later? Sounds like a good thing to me.

[louis-t]

9. Going into primary season with 1.8 percent support should be humiliating.

In Republican circles, that means "time to ramp up the crazy."

[tanyev]

10. OK, people, think strategically.

You don't have get ahead of the entire pack, you just have to get ahead of whoever's in 10th place. Now go for it!

[Helen Borg]

13. Time for some outrageous statements!

To grab the headlines