The Republican Party of Iowa’s move to set the Iowa caucuses for Tuesday, January 3, cleared the way for news organizations to decide when and where to hold the last few presidential debates in Iowa. Invited candidates will debate three times in nine days during mid-December. Details on dates, locations and sponsoring organizations are after the jump. Because more than two weeks of holiday season festivities will separate these debates from the Iowa caucuses, a strong performance or gaffe may not be make or break for the presidential hopefuls.

This is an open thread. What’s on your mind this weekend, Bleeding Heartland readers?

Saturday, December 10

ABC News and the Republican Party of Iowa will host a debate in Des Moines. ABC anchors Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos will moderate. Broadcast time has yet to be announced.

Thursday, December 15

Fox News and the Republican Party of Iowa will host a debate at the Sioux City Convention Center. According to Fox, the start time will be 8 pm (which I assume means central standard time). Bret Baier will moderate.

Monday, December 19

The Des Moines Register, PBS Newshour, Iowa Public Television, Google, and YouTube will host a debate at Iowa Public TV headquarters in Johnston, a suburb of Des Moines. Judy Woodruff of PBS will moderate the debate, which will run from 3 pm to 4:30 pm.