look at where they stand on the stage. >> thanks very much. joining me now, cnn chief correspondent john king. the candidates who will likely not make the top ten. they're certainly downplaying the importance of the debate. what else can they do? but regardless, they want and need to make it next thursday night. i don't know, this is probably one of the most widely debated. >> it may turn into a circus and those who don't make it may say, whoo! i'm glad i was not there. bachmann had her moment. almost everybody in the republican field had their moment and it was in large part because of the debate performance. so there are fewer opportunities on get your name out. there you're right. what else can they say except i didn't see you in the debate. there's no reason to say someone who doesn't make it won't move up in stature and doesn't have a chance to win the nomination. with all the eyes urged to this debate, a defining moment for donald trump, no question.