The field for Thursday's GOP presidential debate in Greenville, S.C., has been set and includes five participants, a South Carolina Republican source has confirmed. Several top-tier potential candidates will be absent, leaving a notable gap in the first official debate of the campaign.
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) is the biggest name candidate in the debate, which is being sponsored by Fox News and the South Carolina GOP. Joining Pawlenty will be Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson (R), former Godfather's Pizza CEO Herman Cain (R) and former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.). Santorum announced Tuesday that he has established a presidential exploratory committee. The final list of debate attendees was first reported by CNN.
To qualify for the debate, potential hopefuls had to register a presidential exploratory committee or announce a formal presidential campaign, file all necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission and the South Carolina Republican Party, pay all federal and South Carolina filing fees, and receive at least an average of one percent in five national polls based on most recent polling. The deadline to register for the debate was originally April 29, but was later extended to 5 p.m. today.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R), the presumed GOP front-runner, will be absent from the debate. A Romney aide said earlier this week that Romney will not be participating "because it's still early, the field is too unsettled and he's not yet an announced candidate." Former Speaker Newt Gingrich, also will not be there, nor will Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.). Gingrich is likely to announce his presidential campaign next week, while Bachmann has indicated she will make her decision sometime next month. Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman (R), who recently returned from China after serving as Ambassador, and has filed paperwork to form a federal political action committee to allow him to begin raising money, is also considering running and will not be at the debate, although he will be in the state this weekend to give a commencement address at the University of South Carolina.
The slow start to the presidential race caused an NBC News/Politico debate that was originally slated for May to be pushed to September. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) is still mulling a bid, as is Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R). Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) has also not ruled out a run.
