“We plan to be there front and center in person to debate Newt directly, and if it’s just the two of us, we’re fine with it.” announced Rick Santorum yesterday, as news broke that both Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann decided not to attend the Newsmax debate moderated by Donald Trump.

To date, only Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum have agreed to attend the debate, which will be held in Des Moines, Iowa on Tuesday, December 27, a mere two days after Christmas.