GENE RANDALL, CNN ANCHOR: The final GOP presidential debate before the January 24th Iowa caucuses gets underway in about two hours. CNN senior White House correspondent John King is standing by in Johnston, Iowa with a preview -- John.</s>JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Some of the candidates, Gene, for more than a year have been campaigning here, spending many, many months and millions of dollars campaigning. Now, just one week from Monday, the Iowa caucuses officially open the presidential nominating process. All six Republican candidates due here in suburban Des Moines in two hours for their final debate the caucuses. The six will debate for 90 minutes, most of the questions submitted by readers of "The Des Moines Register," although they will have an opportunity to question each other as well. The front-runner here in Iowa and nationally is the Texas Governor George W. Bush. His goal today, promote his nearly $500 billion, five-year tax plan, and promote himself as the conservative who can take back the White House after 8 years of a Democratic administration. Bush's chief rival nationally so far, according to the polls, is the Arizona Senator John McCain. Mr. McCain not competing here in Iowa, dedicating his sources and time instead to campaigning in New Hampshire, but he does come to Iowa for the candidate debates. Also here in Iowa, look for Steve Forbes to try to make a strong showing in the debate today. The publisher looking to place at least a strong second here to Bush. Mr. Forbes' message is that he is the only candidate with the resources to contest Governor Bush to the end of nominating process. Mr. Forbes trying to present himself as the conservative alternative to the governor of Texas. For all of the candidates, this their final opportunity for a statewide television audience. After they leave the state today, all of the campaigns will get back to the grass-roots organizing viewed as critical in the Iowa caucuses -- again, one week from Monday night. The New Hampshire primary follows eight days after that -- Gene.</s>RANDALL: All right, John, we will talk to you later.
Republican Presidential Candidates Prepare for Final Debate Before Iowa Caucuses Begin Selection Process