Second Gop debate

Summary of where we are and what's changed from the first debate

Can't help but think that this is a high-risk strategy for a man who seems to struggle with debates. Swinging at Trump could badly backfire

This is probably the element that adds most new interest second time around (and I can't help but think it was the reason CNN changed the rules to allow in the 11th placed candidate)

Jake Tapper actually wants a debate, he says. But difficult to see how that can happen with 11 people on the stage... 11 people with presidential aspirations at that

CNN is expecting its biggest audience ever. And we all know who's responsible....

So, the only logical response to the first debate and Trump's continuing poll supremacy is to go after him. Which could make for some spectacular TV (and the flameout of several candidates...)

Here's a dose of reality. The last debate showed little sign of moving the betting markets - a far more reliable indicator than windbag pundits. These guys can lose millions if they get it wrong and in Britain, at least, have proved better at predicting elections than pollsters in recent years. So the upshot is that the last TV debate made little difference to the state of play.

Ultimately Donald Trump's candidacy is a test of how much political elites still control the nomination

This debate will be an hour longer than the first one: That means hydration strategies and toilet breaks