The N.H. debate: the user's Guide

The tranquility, old struggle for the presidential nomination of the Republican party is about to erupt into the open White House, when seven candidates take the stage St Anselm College for the first debate in New Hampshire of the 2012 cycle.

Confrontation can or cannot provide a moment of change by the momentum in the campaign. But it will begin to define the terms of the main fight over between Mitt Romney and the band of less known opponents want to derail him.

Continue reading bets are slightly different for each of the participants. For Romney, the event is an opportunity to consolidate its status as the favorite of the Republican party. For Tim Pawlenty, this is the best opportunity to stand as an alternative to setting to Romney and perhaps begin to launch some more hard blows in the former Governor of Massachusetts.

Newt Gingrich, the former Chairman of House whose main advisers resigned last week, seeks political redemption. Other, less familiar faces: Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, U.S. representative from Texas Ron Paul, former Senator of Pennsylvania Rick Santorum and pizza former Executive Herman Cain - simply try to make a good impression with viewers who have never seen before. (See also: experts discuss what candidate has more on the line)

Here are five questions larger to that politician will try to respond to the CNN/WMUR/leader debate on Monday:

Does that swings harder in Mitt Romney?

There are three headlines that could come from the debate: "Opponents accumulate in Romney"; "Opponents head clear attack Romney"; and "Candidate X attacks on Romney".

The former Governor of Massachusetts looking for more and more as a legitimate favorite, their interaction with the rest of the field GOP will probably define the night. Until now, Romney has been treated with enough light of other Republicans, with occasional visits from the universal right to health which was signed in Massachusetts, but never dealt with a sustained barrage of criticism. (See also: Romney leading new polls two)

That could change this evening - or not. Former Governor of Minnesota, Tim Pawlenty took a ginger step to hit Romney before the debate, after the law on health care national called "obamneycare" in a signal that you can put an end to the soft contrast phase of the campaign. Even before that, some Republicans predicted would come that Rick Santorum, a curator of homeless, known for its combative style, out against Romney with firing. (See also: Pawlenty assails 'obamneycare')

If Romney repeated his role in 2007 as debate punching bag at night, that confirm its status as a solid favorite and serious test their skills as a Communicator. Romney has tried to stay above the fray, and his campaign response to criticism from Pawlenty suggests that Romney will try to continue doing precisely that. (See also: understated Mitt)