The decision about whether to pull the plug on Monday’s Presidential debate in Portland will be made Thursday morning.

I talked to Republican GOP Chair Allen Alley today (check at about the 2:35 spot here) about the March 19th event which is scheduled to be over at OPB. Allen seems pretty good spirited about the prospects of the debate coming off but with one caveat. Well, three actually. The Washington Times, OPB and Oregon Republican Party will call off the event unless three candidates plan to come.

So far Newt Gingrich is a go, Ron Paul is a “who else is coming?” and Rick Santorum is in “do we really have to go?” mode. Alley hopes that if they get three then Romney will jump in too.

This debate will be the only one broadcast in every state. The others have been on cable and, yes, cable is ubiquitous, but there’s still some cache about getting everyone’s eyeballs on the candidates in their own homes.

The format will favor Santorum –and Romney, too, if he bothers to show up. Candidates will be seated around an oval table and questioned by Ray Suarez of PBS and Ralph Hallow of the Washington Times. Being seated will create an atmosphere of calm which does not favor more the histrionic Gingrich and Paul. If someone can get Santorum to keep his answers taut and short, the format should favor him.

The theme I’m told will be about western US issues and the economy. I hope they broaden it to include ObamaCare and the debt.

The set is built;  the lights and cameras are ready but will there be any action? We’ll find out Thursday morning.

To encourage Santorum and Romney to come tweet a request at #GOPMarch19.