Let Your Voice Be Heard in Saturday's GOP Debate

On Saturday, November 12, at 8 p.m. ET, CBS News and National Journal will present a nationally broadcast debate focused on national security issues.

There are several ways for you to participate both before and during the debate.

Our friends at WAND (Women's Action for New Directions) have created a primer about how you can submit questions to the candidates before the debate.

WAND writes:

Before the debate:

The debate will provide an opportunity for you to submit your own questions, some of which may be asked to the candidates by the debate moderators.

There are four different ways you can submit your questions to the debate moderator.

(1) Debate questions can be submitted on Facebook, via the CBS News Facebook page or on the Political Hotsheet Facebook page.

(2) On Twitter, you can submit debate questions by Tweeting. Submit your questions as a Tweet, and simply add the hashtag #CBSNJdebate to your submission.

(3) Via e-mail. E-mail your debate questions to CBSNJdebate@cbsinteractive.com, and be sure to include your full name and location.

(4) Viewers can also submit debate questions in the comments section of this blog post. Also be sure to include your full name and location with your question.

 

It’s all about numbers … if half the questions receive focus on military spending, they're more likely to address it.

Some sample suggested questions

• Should the Super Committee look for cuts in the Pentagon budget – where over half of our annual discretionary spending goes?
• Former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Michael Mullen said: “The most significant threat to our national security is our debt.” If you agree with this, how would you address Pentagon spending?
• Over the coming decade, the United States plans to spend an estimated $700 billion on nuclear weapons related expenses. Is this level of spending on a Cold War sized nuclear arsenal of 5,000 nuclear weapons a good idea? How does it help us to address real 21^st century threats?
• Why do we need to keep 80,000 U.S. armed forces in Europe? Can we afford to do this?
• As troops come home from Afghanistan and Iraq, should we scale back on the number of ground forces we maintain and deploy?
• As President would you champion programs to prevent nuclear terrorism? Would this be a high priority for your administration?

During the debate:
WAND Public Policy Director, Kathy Robinson and WAND Executive Director, Susan Shaer will be sharing their thoughts on the debate on Twitter as it is happening.  Join them on Twitter! Use the hashtag #RepublicanDebate and make sure to use the twitter handles @KRobinsonWAND, @susanshaer, @WomensAction and @Womenlegislobby  to connect with the WAND folks who will be tweeting.

The Republican candidates expected to participate in Saturday's debate at Wofford College in South Carolina are:

Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann

Businessman and talk show host Herman Cain

Former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich

Former U.S. Ambassador to China and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman

Texas Congressman Ron Paul

Texas Gov. Rick Perry

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney

Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum