Second GOP debate stage set for 7 candidates

Second GOP Debate: Candidates Gear Up for a Pivotal Showdown

The stage for the 2024 GOP presidential debate is set to feature a smaller lineup as the Republican National Committee revealed on Monday that seven candidates have qualified for the second debate, one less than their initial gathering.

The qualified participants include Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum. They all met the RNC’s rigorous criteria in terms of polling and fundraising. However, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, who participated in the first Republican presidential primary debate, did not make the cut. Notably, former President Donald Trump, the leading contender for the 2024 GOP nomination, has chosen not to attend this event.

The debate is scheduled for Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET and will be hosted jointly by Fox Business Network and Univision. The venue for this event is the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.

Nonetheless, another high-stakes confrontation may steal the spotlight, taking place in Michigan this week, where both President Joe Biden and former President Trump are making visits.

Trump opted to skip the initial debate and has hinted at the possibility of avoiding all of them. On Monday, he derided the Republican primary debates as “pointless.”

“In essence, it’s akin to a job interview. When you look at these debates, it’s essentially a job interview, and thus far, I’m not particularly inclined,” Trump remarked during a visit to a campaign field office in Summerville, South Carolina, before his scheduled rally in the region.

On Tuesday, President Biden is scheduled to make a visit to Michigan, where he will stand in solidarity with striking auto union workers. The following day, Trump will also journey to the state to deliver a prime-time speech in the Detroit area, with expectations that auto workers will be among the attendees.

This trip to Michigan marks a particularly active phase of the former president’s campaign activities since he launched his bid for a second term in the White House last autumn.

However, Trump’s choice to forgo yet another debate has transformed the Simi Valley event into, in many respects, a contest for the second position in the GOP primary. Trump continues to maintain a commanding lead in both national and early state polls.

Recent polls released over the weekend by NBC News and The Washington Post/ABC News have shown Trump with a significant nationwide advantage in the GOP primary. According to NBC, the former president enjoys 59% support, with DeSantis at 16%, Haley at 7%, and both Pence and Christie at 4% each, followed by Scott at 3% and Ramaswamy at 2%. The Post/ABC poll indicates Trump’s support at 54%, DeSantis at 15%, Haley at 7%, Pence at 6%, Scott at 4%, and both Christie and Ramaswamy at 3% each.

In order to earn a place in the second debate, GOP contenders had to achieve a minimum of 3% support in two national polls or one national poll along with two polls conducted in separate early voting states—namely, Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, or Nevada. These polls had to be publicly released at least 48 hours before the debate and meet the rigorous standards set by the RNC. Additionally, candidates were obligated to amass a minimum of 50,000 unique donors, with at least 200 donors hailing from 20 different states or territories. To participate in the debate, candidates were also required to pledge their commitment to support the eventual Republican nominee.

Former Arkansas Governor Hutchinson, speaking on CNN’s “The Source” on Monday night following the announcement, stated, “We’re not going to allow the RNC’s standards to dictate everything, so we’re enthusiastic about continuing our campaign efforts this week.”

He went on to say, “I understand that there will be those who suggest we should step aside. However, considering the significance of Iowa and New Hampshire in the process, we intend to persevere in these states and gauge our performance based on the reception we receive there,” during his conversation with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins.

Seeking a Breakthrough

The reduced platform may offer greater chances for candidates participating in the debate to make a breakthrough in the race.

Ramaswamy made a significant impact during the first debate, engaging in memorable exchanges with Pence, Christie, and Haley. His spirited debate with Haley regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where she advocated for a strong U.S. role on the international stage, proved to be a pivotal moment that injected fresh energy into Haley’s campaign.

In contrast, Scott, although a formidable fundraiser, struggled to leave a lasting impression in the initial debate. His campaign reached out to supporters this week, drawing parallels between Scott’s optimistic approach on the presidential trail and the era of President Reagan. They highlighted Scott’s perspective as someone who remembers the challenging times during Jimmy Carter’s presidency, marked by high inflation, crushing interest rates, and economic stagnation.

Both Scott and Pence have sought to emphasize their differences from other GOP contenders on the abortion issue, expressing their support for a federal abortion ban after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Pence, in particular, criticized Trump for what he viewed as a departure from the commitment to the sanctity of human life. This came after Trump’s interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” where he criticized states like Florida and Iowa for enacting six-week abortion bans, positioning himself as a potential mediator on the issue.

Christie, whose campaign has largely centered on his opposition to Trump’s leadership in the GOP, has escalated his public criticism of Ramaswamy since their contentious exchanges in the first debate. He insisted that these jabs were not part of any broader strategy but simply because Ramaswamy was an easy target.

Christie has been vocal about his disapproval of Trump’s absence from the stage, deeming it “disrespectful” to voters and vowing not to let him off the hook. He stated that he will actively seek out Trump after the second debate.

In a memo to donors and supporters ahead of the debate, DeSantis’ campaign manager, James Uthmeier, positioned the Florida governor as the candidate capable of defeating both Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Uthmeier argued that DeSantis’ campaign was the most well-prepared for the long haul, boasting substantial resources and organizational strength. He also noted that many in the media and D.C. politicians privately acknowledge this fact when pressed.

Ramaswamy, appearing on Fox News over the weekend, mentioned that his campaign was entering a new phase leading up to the upcoming debate. He intends to emphasize the policies and positions he aims to implement as president, highlighting his recent major policy speeches focused on reducing the federal bureaucracy’s scope and countering China’s influence on the U.S. economy.

Haley, on the other hand, shared her debate preparation approach on Fox Business, emphasizing the extensive groundwork she’s laid in Iowa and New Hampshire with over 85 rallies. She listens to voters’ questions, stays engaged, and provides solutions, considering it the most effective debate preparation because it allows her to address the issues that matter to the people directly.

By: M Z Hossain, Editor Sky Buzz Feed