Tonight's CNN/YouTube GOP debate, like its recent Democratic predecessors, is primarily aimed at the electorate in the first states of Iowa and New Hampshire - where voters are paying more attention. As such, it should offer an interesting tactical match-up, since each major candidate comes into the debate with different goals, given the different strategies each has taken in the first two contests. And it means that tonight's focus is likely to be on Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, since how they do in Iowa will be the dominoes that set the rest of the race in motion.

For Huckabee, the more favorable contrasts he can draw between himself and Romney, the better. Romney, obviously, has the exact opposite goal. The more these two candidates focus on other candidates in the race during tonight's two hours, the more they are making a strategic mistake.

Yet they will be tempted to do so because each of the other three main contenders has a strong rooting interest in Iowa. John McCain wants Huckabee to win Iowa (or he should) because McCain needs Romney weakened so he has a better chance of carrying New Hampshire five days later. Thus, expect McCain to go after Romney (and, to a lesser extent, Rudy Giuliani), as he's been doing on the campaign trail.

The other two contenders, however, have different goals. Fred Thompson wants Huckabee out of the race as soon as possible, so he can try to consolidate his support on the Right and emerge as a strong regional candidate in the South Carolina primary on January 19th. A Romney victory in Iowa, albeit a narrow one, helps him. So Thompson will want to draw distinctions with Huckabee.

Ditto for Giuliani, with an asterisk. Yes, a Romney victory in Iowa creates a Romney who might run the table in the first four contests. But if Huckabee wins Iowa, McCain has a much stronger chance to win New Hampshire five days later. Which outcome is worse for Rudy - a strong Romney or a strong McCain? We'll get a clue as to what he thinks by whom he focuses on tonight.

Does the style of tonight's debate favor anyone? At the Democratic YouTube debate, the somewhat wacky citizen questioners made it easier for more "informal" candidates to shine. If that happens again, Huckabee, Mr. Average Guy, should do well.

To read Steven Stark's complete "Presidential Tote Board" blog, go to www.thephoenix.com/toteboard/