Televisions across the nation will be tuned to CNBC tonight as the 14 remaining Republicans in the presidential race take the stage for the third debate of the campaign season.
While some hope to hear more of the dramatic banter that has become typical of these debates, many Americans are hoping to hear more conversation concerning policies and less petty arguing.
Sophomore Humberto Viana voiced concerns that the GOP’s frontrunners, Donald Trump and Ben Carson, have very little experience in terms of political careers.
“I want the leading candidates, Trump and Carson, to discuss their policies more – I feel like the top candidates don’t have enough substance based off of their entire experience,” he said. “They’re very sensational and I don’t think they’re substantial enough.”
Though popular amongst many Americans in the polls, Trump and Carson are not the only candidates grabbing people’s attention.
Junior Michael Hanlon, a libertarian, prefers Rand Paul above all of the other candidates in the race because of his commitment to personal freedoms.
Speaking of Paul, Hanlon said, “He’s about keeping government small and allowing personal freedoms in all aspects of life. The government is meant to protect me from you and you from me, but not us from ourselves.”
Among these candidates, others, such as Chris Christie, Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio, who is currently behind Carson in the polls, will be present for the main debate.
Carly Fiorina, who has risen in the polls after the last two debates and remains the only female Republican in the race will also be present.
After a far less divisive and controversial Democratic debate that focused more on the issues at hand and less on personal jabs, it’s clear that the GOP has work to do in terms of staying focused on policy.
Tune into CNBC tonight to hear more from the candidates on issues such as the economy and the workforce. The main debate begins at 8 p.m. ET with the undercard debate beginning at 6 p.m. ET.