Campaign '08: Next Stop, Texas

We'll have webcasts of candidate speeches, live blogging, straw poll dispatches and other event highlights. In addition, Hugh Hewitt will host Salem Radio Network's nationally syndicated Hugh Hewitt Show on Friday at the Convention Center.

With states playing leap frog on the primary calendar, it's looking like the first official votes for the Republican nomination will comes as early as the first week of January - some even speculating that we could see a mid-December Iowa caucus if reasonable heads don't prevail.

That leaves barely four months before Republican must make up their minds are start casting real votes. With several debates under their belts and with eight candidates still claiming to be credible, it's time for the field to get serious.

And that begins in Texas.

The Townhall.com-Texas Republican Straw Poll is the last chance for second and third tier candidates to make the case that Republicans should still be giving them a look and it's time for top candidates to prove they deserve the attention.

Can Romney ride the wave of his Iowa Straw Poll success to victory in Texas?

Can Huckabee improve on his Iowa surprise in Texas - A state much closer to home?

What about Giuliani? Can he win a vote in an electoral vote rich state?

And what about the candidate who isn't a candidate yet - Fred Thompson? Will he get in the game before the clock runs out?

We'll find out in two weeks.

See you in Texas.