Sam Tanenhaus, Columnist

What to Watch For: Uncensored Conservatism

Debate outbursts can define a political movement.

August 6, 2015 at 8:20 PM UTC

Sam Tanenhaus, the author of “The Death of Conservatism” and “Whittaker Chambers,” is working on a biography of William F. Buckley Jr. He was editor of the New York Times Book Review from 2004 to 2013.

Remember when Newt won?
Photographer: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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The Fox News debate Thursday night in Cleveland, billed as the first of at least nine Republican presidential debates, is only the latest stop on barnstorming tours that many of the candidates have been on since the beginning of the year. They have had ample time to hone their acts and sharpen their words, often before live audiences.

Whatever drama happens will likely come in small corners of the spectacle, in departures from the script, in sudden improvisations or quick thrusts, in revelations of personality or temperament.