In Washington, all eyes are riveted on the House GOP leadership's struggle to cobble together enough votes for a continuing resolution that will keep the government operating after Sept. 30. But outside the Beltway, Republicans are more likely to focus on Texas Gov. Rick Perry's plans for Social Security, his view on illegal immigrants and his support for Israel. And maybe Rep. Michele Bachmann's fear of needles, should the whole HPV-inoculation issue have any life left in it. Those are the topics likely to dominate Thursday night's debate among Republican presidential candidates in Orlando, Fla.

Two members of The Times' opinion staff -- columnist Doyle McManus in Washington and editorial writer Jon Healey in Los Angeles -- will offer a running commentary on the debate here, via Twitter. We'll also provide Tweets from The Times' Politics Now bloggers, James Oliphant and Mike Memoli.

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--Jon Healey and Doyle McManus

Photo:  Republican presidential candidates from left, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn, businessman Herman Cain and Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman gather prior to Thursday's debate Credit: (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)