2023-09-26 05:38:02
The participants in the second Republican debate will be fewer than in the first.
Seven candidates have qualified for the debate that will be held Wednesday night at the Ronald Reagan presidential library in California, the Republican National Committee reported, while confirming that former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson did not make the cut in this chance.
Former President Donald Trump, who leads the Republican presidential nomination and who did not attend the first debate, will also not be present on stage, and will instead hold events in the disputed state of Michigan.
To qualify for the second debate, candidates needed at least 3% support in two national polls, or 3% in a national poll, as well as in two polls in four of the early voting states: Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.
White House hopefuls also needed at least 50,000 unique donors, of which at least 200 had to be from 20 states or territories. They also had to sign a commitment with the CNR in which they promised to support whoever the party determines will be its candidate.
Here is a look at the position the candidates are in:
RON DE SANTIS
For quite some time, the Florida governor was considered Trump’s main rival, ranking a distant second to the current Republican favorite in state and national voting polls, and raising an impressive amount of money.
But DeSantis’ position has begun to change, as he has struggled to maintain the lofty expectations of his campaign. Republican support for him nationally has fallen substantially from its peak this year.
TIM SCOTT
The South Carolina senator didn’t have a standout moment in the first debate in Milwaukee, and he hopes to change that during Wednesday’s event.
Eager to have a bigger role in the conversation, Scott asked the party to rearrange the order of candidates on stage in a bid to be placed more prominently on the podium. There is no indication that the CNR plans to respond to this request.
NIKKI HALEY
The only Republican woman on stage—and among the candidates—Haley saw a boost in her fundraising following her performance in the first debate. Her campaign reported raising at least $1 million in 72 hours, a record period for her.
Two recent polls in her home state of South Carolina found Haley — that state’s former governor and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations — running second, well behind Trump but slightly ahead of other Republican rivals.
During a discussion at the first Republican debate, Haley interjected with a reference to a famous quote by Margaret Thatcher, the first British prime minister in history: “If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman.”
VIVEK RAMASWAMY
The political newcomer scored several memorable moments in the first debate, criticizing some rivals as “puppets of the super political action committees” who were using “prefabricated slogans prepared in advance” to attack him. He was a frequent target of criticism about his lack of experience.
Such attacks helped strengthen Ramaswamy’s campaign coffers and his own name among the broad field of Republican hopefuls.
CHRIS CHRISTIE
The former New Jersey governor opened his campaign by presenting himself as the only candidate ready to take on Trump, urging the former president to “show up at the debates and defend his record.”
Without Trump in the first debate, Christie was left without his main target. He was at times drowned out by boos from the audience as he forcefully pressed his questions about whether candidates will back Trump even if he is convicted of serious charges.
DOUG BURGUM
Burgum, a former software entrepreneur who is in his second term as governor of North Dakota, nearly missed the first debate due to a tendon injury he suffered while playing basketball with his campaign staff. But Burgum participated anyway, later telling reporters that he stood on one leg behind the podium.
Burgum has been using his fortune to boost his campaign, handing out $20 gift cards — “Relief Cards for Biden,” in a critique of how Biden has handled the economy — in exchange for $1 donations. Critics have questioned whether the offer violates campaign finance law.
MIKE PENCE
Pivoting his campaign on his reputation as an experienced statesman and elected official, Trump’s vice president showcased his debate skills last month and is inclined to see more action in California.
Pence had combative moments with several other challengers in Milwaukee over some of the thorniest issues in the Republican nomination race.
Drawing a contrast with Haley on abortion, among his signature issues, Pence said Haley’s attempts at consensus on the issue are “the opposite of leadership.” Perhaps some of Pence’s most impassioned moments came when he clashed with Ramaswamy, telling him, “Now is not the time to be trained on the job.”
Pence himself was also the subject of a crucial debate question, in which the candidates largely agreed that he had acted correctly in protecting the 2020 election results in the face of pressure from Trump not to do so. .
DONALD TRUMP
The current Republican favorite will not attend a debate for the second consecutive time; On this occasion he preferred to meet with unionized workers in Michigan. He will give a speech shortly before his rivals take the stage in California.
Last month, Trump gave an interview to former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, which was broadcast on the social network X around the same time the first debate began.
Trump has said he does not want to boost his rivals’ standing in the polls by participating in a debate against them.
ASA HUTCHINSON
The former two-term Arkansas governor was the last candidate to meet the RNC’s requirements for the first debate, posting requests on Twitter for $1 donations to secure a spot in Milwaukee, but not in the second. managed to meet the enhanced criteria for participation.
Instead of attending the debate, he will be in Michigan on Wednesday, holding a press conference that his campaign describes as “denouncing Donald Trump’s false promises.”
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