Eight candidates, 90 minutes (minus time taken by the moderator and any commercials), one minute maximum allotted per question for the answer.

No opening or closing statements.

That translates into about ten questions. (See forthcoming my post on the likely questions).

Candidates must stand (it is 80 minutes of standing and listening, 10 minutes of speaking) behind music stand style podia where people (cameras) can see them shifting their feet or otherwise fidgeting.

The candidates are arrayed as follows: from left, Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, John Edwards, Chris Dodd and Bill Richardson (here is a picture from the dry run).

The AP reports that the moderator, Brian Williams will have "software designed by the network will keep track of how long each candidate gets on the air to ensure equal time."

Audiences. The media. National viewers. South Carolina viewers.

Unknowns. First, why does he need the software unless candidates get to bank unused time? Second, in what way is the order of answering questions determined.

Implications for tactics.

First, smart candidates will use some of the time on later questions to go back to earlier ones. Since some of the questions will be relatively simple and/or uncontroversial (remember, these candidates largely agree with one another on many of the issues), in some cases, especially if you are one of the last to speak to a question, it is quick and easy to say you largely agree with the others and then to amplify an earlier answer or respond to something another candidate said on an earlier question.

Second, and related to the first point, Hillary and Obama's being side by side poses a challenge for both. Unless the response order is ever-changing, one will immediately follow the other for at least half of the debate. The person going second has a huge advantage because they can frame their response, even if very subtly (neither has a lot to gain by attacking the other at this stage), in a way that elicits the contrast they desire. That makes it even more important to employ the "go back" tactic if necessary.

Third. Ignore advice to talk too much about policy details. Yea, "common wisdom" suggests Obama needs to put policy meat on the bones. But in one minute? Regardless of the answer given, critics will be able to say he gave "too few specifics". Refer to your book, your website, legislation you sponsored, etc. You can list prerequisites ("any good health care plan must include these four elements . . . ."). But the media care more about how you fit their narrative and the viewer cares more about you than they do about the wonkiest of policy details. The wonky among us already think they know better than you anyway. Only a long debate with fewer candidates focused on only one issue has a format conducive to policy detail.

Fourth. Link the question being asked to the question you want to answer. There are only 10 questions and you get no opening or closing statement. Immigration? You can answer it in terms of trade if it is trade you want to discuss. Virginia Tech and Gun Control? Easily linked to the need for comprehensive health care reform to include mental health provisions. And any issue can be linked to broad themes of "leadership", "experience", or "new kind of politics".

Fifth. Write notes to yourself, doodle if you must (be sure there are no cameras behind you). Eighty minutes of standing around is a lot. Plus the cameras like to show how you are acting while others are speaking. Write a smiley face to reminds yourself not to scowl or frown while others are speaking if you need that. It really matters little what you write, but you will appear engaged and studious if you occasionally take pen to paper.

Sixth. If you can bank and borrow time, spend a little extra on Iraq, but save time for the end. Lieberman ran out of time badly in one of the CT Senate debates where time banking and borrowing was allowed. Save some time and you can actually answer the last question and make a closing appeal.  

Seventh, whenever you are among the last to answer a question, you can start with "all of us agree that  . . . ) and spend the time defining yourself or "going back".

Last but not least. It is amazing that this needs saying, but remember there are cameras!!! You will be angled one direction, the audience is in another direction, and the cameras still another. Speak to the camera. Angelides was awful versus Schwarzenager on this basic item, but he was not the first to flunk this test nor will he be the last. It is very tempting to speak to the moderator or to the live audience. Don't.

Please add your thoughts in the comments.