GOP candidates set sights on South in tonight’s presidential debate on WINK-TV

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) – Marco Rubio enters Saturday night’s Republican presidential debate facing immense pressure to right his campaign. He faltered badly in the last contest and finished a disappointing fifth in New Hampshire.

Rubio’s stumble has re-energized some of his rivals as the race heads to the South and reignited questions about whether the 44-year-old first-term senator has the experience to be president. He’s sought to shed some of his reliance on well-rehearsed talking points in recent days, and the debate will be a prime test of whether he can rebound.

Just six contenders will face off Saturday in Greenville, South Carolina, far from the long line of candidates who took the stage in earlier GOP debates. But even with a streamlined field, the Republican race remains deeply uncertain.

The Republican Debate will start at 9 p.m. on WINK-TV.