At least eight Republican presidential candidates have announced that they have qualified for the first 2024 primary debate, set to take place in Milwaukee next week. While the frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, leads in early-voting state polling, it remains uncertain whether he will join his opponents on the debate stage. The other candidates have been preparing for the debate with or without Trump’s participation. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has consistently polled second behind Trump, is bracing himself for attacks from fellow candidates.
The Republican National Committee (RNC) has set specific criteria that candidates must meet to appear on the debate stage. These include having 40,000 individual campaign donors (including 20 states with at least 200 voters each) and at least 1% support in three national polls, or two national polls and one poll from an early presidential primary state. Candidates must also sign a “loyalty pledge” to support the Republican nominee. Trump, DeSantis, Tim Scott, Mike Pence, Nikki Haley, Chris Christie, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Doug Burgum claim to have met the RNC’s criteria, although Trump and Christie have not signed the nominee loyalty pledge. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez’s campaign has claimed that he has qualified, but there has been no official confirmation from the Republican National Committee.
Former President Donald Trump, who has not confirmed his participation in the debate, is facing a deadline to surrender at the Fulton County Jail two days after the debate. This comes after he was indicted for the fourth time in a racketeering case related to his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. Trump has expressed reluctance to participate in debates, citing his strong polling numbers and questioning the need for a debate. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, on the other hand, sees the first debate as a critical moment in the race and has been preparing for attacks from other candidates. DeSantis has brought on veteran Republican debate coach Brett O’Donnell to assist with his campaign’s debate preparations.
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott plans to maintain his positive brand on the debate stage, setting himself apart from the field. He has seen a slight increase in the polls, particularly in Iowa, and has focused his campaign ads on markets in Iowa and New Hampshire. Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, has been engaging with voters in preparation for the debate. Haley is expected to highlight her foreign policy experience and has expressed the belief that all candidates, including Trump, should be on the debate stage to ensure the American people have the opportunity to hear from everyone.
Former Vice President Mike Pence has been preparing for the debate for several weeks and has met the qualification criteria. His campaign has held mock debates, including one with a stand-in for Trump. Pence hopes for a vigorous debate about the future of the country and has emphasized his commitment to the democratic process, refusing to challenge the results of the 2020 election despite pressure from Trump.
The first debate of the 2024 Republican primary race is shaping up to be a significant event, with candidates making strategic preparations and anticipation building for Trump’s potential participation. With the field wide open, the debate could have a substantial impact on the trajectory of the candidates’ campaigns.
Original Story at www.cbsnews.com – 2023-08-18 18:55:00
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