>> governor romney in his business career created more jobs than the entire obama cabinet combined. ron paul is steadily rising in the polls. the organization is deep could propel him to upset win. >> we have more volunteers and a better staff now than we did before. it's coming together. we feel good about it. >> reporter: perry has been blasting gingrich and romney daily. he added a new attack to the air war before tonight's debate. >> newt gingrich increased the federal debt trillions of dollars and billions in earmarks. mitt romney raised business taxes 20% in massachusetts. insiders. >> reporter: michele bachmann who won the iowa straw poll this summer is competing for many of the social conservatives but he is far back in the polls. along with jon huntsman competing in the debate but not in the caucuses. another one to watch tonight