Eight candidates confirmed for September 7th GOP debate, 5 p.m. Pacific

08-30-2011 • 2012 Election Central

Politico and NBC News have announced the eight confirmed participants for the September 7th Reagan Library debate in Simi Valley, California. Of course, the list is missing former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty who's place will essentially be taken by Texas Governor Rick Perry.

Air Date: Wednesday, September 7th at 8pm EST on MSNBC

The eight qualifying GOP presidential candidates have agreed to attend the Sept. 7 Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation debate.

The Reagan Foundation, in conjunction with POLITICO and NBC News, will announce Thursday that Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum plan to appear on stage at the Reagan presidential library in Simi Valley, Calif.

The post-Labor Day debate, the fourth this year, will be Perry’s first since announcing his candidacy Aug. 13.

Former first lady Nancy Reagan sent an invitation to the presidential hopefuls who meet the eligibility standards, which require that a candidacy be formally announced and that a candidate captures at least 4 percent in one of eight national polls.

MSNBC will broadcast the debate live from the Reagan library’s Air Force One Pavilion at 8 p.m. ET. POLITICO will stream the proceedings live on its website.

CNBC and Telemundo (in Spanish) will also broadcast the debate.

Brian Williams, anchor and managing editor of “NBC Nightly News,” and John F. Harris, editor in chief of POLITICO, will moderate.

Each debate thus far has gotten better in terms of candidate interaction and the energy of the questions. I can only assume that with a new participant on stage, one who is ruffling a lot of feathers, we can expect to see a great show of policy discussion and some stinging jabs between candidates.

2012 GOP Primary Debate Schedule