The first debate of the political season will occur on Monday night. It is the New Hampshire Republican debate on CNN. Seven candidates have accepted invitations; in alphabetical order they are Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, the late Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Tim Pawlenty, Mitt Romney, and Rick Santorum. Bachmann and Santorum have not announced their candidacies. Perhaps it would be easier to say who isn’t coming than who is.  Palin hedged and responded “doubtful.” Daniels, Giuliani, Huckabee, Huntsman and Trump all were invited but declined. Not conspicuous by his absence is Rick Perry.