What to Expect at the Republican Debate

Seven Republican candidates will face off on the main stage in North Charleston, South Carolina, Thursday night, the smallest primetime field yet as the networks and the Republican National Committee seek to winnow the still-massive field to a more manageable size. The debate comes at a critical juncture for campaigns, as the television ad war hits full swing and financial disclosure reports are set to be released, providing the clearest picture of who has the capacity to go the distance. With the fault lines for attacks and unlikely alliances shifting rapidly, the forum is likely to be among the most exciting of the cycle, featuring the end of the Ted Cruz–Donald Trump détente, the ongoing pile-on of Marco Rubio, and Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, and John Kasich fighting for the support of Establishment-minded Republicans.

Officials at the Republican National Committee are worrying about the party’s preparation for a possible contested convention, an unlikely scenario that is more likely to come about this year than in generations. Torn between their political curiosity and the prospect of having to put on a chaotic convention in the modern media environment, officials are beginning serious planning efforts this week at the party governing body’s winter meeting in Charleston, as they seek to sort out everything from potential rules changes to hotel rooms.

Read more: How to Watch Tonight’s Republican Debate Online

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley‘s State of the Union response was widely praised by most Republicans, but she’s drawn criticism from conservative circles for her softer tone on immigration and implicit criticism of Trump. The episode highlights the deep divide within the GOP between pragmatism and ideological concerns, as well as the base’s newfound focus on style over substance in the age of Trump. Meanwhile, Bush is airing a new ad in New Hampshire calling Trump a “jerk,” seeking to capitalize on his criticism of the front-runner.

If Ted Cruz wins the nomination, it will be because of a years-long effort to court social conservatives in Iowa and around the country, TIME’s Alex Altman writes. But Cruz is now facing questions over a loan from Goldman Sachs, where his wife works, which was used to finance his 2012 Senate run.

Donald Trump berates the sound engineer. Rand Paul bemoans the state of his party. And how Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are hoping to get the nod from Elizabeth Warren.

Here are your must-reads:

Must Reads

Republican National Committee Worried About Contested Convention
Preparations begin for a chaotic scene in Cleveland [TIME]

The Stage Is Getting Smaller at GOP Debates
TIME’s Philip Elliott previews tonight’s contest

Ted Cruz Didn’t Disclose Loan From Goldman Sachs for His First Senate Campaign
Loan didn’t appear on federal disclosure forms [New York Times]

The Gospel of Ted
TIME’s Alex Altman on the secret to Cruz’s success: his outreach to social conservatives

Sound Off

“When we become the old white man’s party, which we’ve been kind of headed toward for a while, we’re never going to win another election.” — Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who is boycotting the undercard debate after being cut from the main stage, in an interview with MSNBC

“And by the way I don’t like this mic, whoever the hell brought this mic system don’t pay the son of a b—- who brought it in … No this mic is terrible, stupid mic keeps popping … Don’t pay him. You know I believe in paying but when somebody does a bad job like this you shouldn’t pay the b——.” — Donald Trump expressing frustration with his production team at a campaign event in Pensacola, Florida

Bits and Bites

South Carolina GOP Chair Blasts Coulter, Defends Haley [TIME]

Donald Trumps Slams Nikki Haley on Immigration [CNN]

Donald Trump’s Iowa Ground Game Seems to Be Missing a Coach [New York Times]

Why Bernie Sanders Is Trolling Hillary Clinton on Twitter [TIME]

The 5 Essential Elements of a Donald Trump Stump Speech [TIME]

Rubio Super PAC Calls Bush Campaign a ‘Train Wreck’ [TIME]

Mitch McConnell Calls Obama ‘Very Smart’ But ‘a Little Preachy’ [Yahoo]

How Ted Cruz Built His Christian Connection [TIME]

Courting the Coveted Elizabeth Warren Nod [Boston Globe]

Carson’s Finance Chief at the Center of Campaign Storm [Politico]

Nikki Haley Says Marco Rubio ‘Believes in Amnesty,’ Then Walks It Back, Complicating His South Carolina Campaign [Washington Post]