With about a week until Republican primary voting begins in Iowa, Donald Trump continues to enjoy an advantage in the polls. nationwide and also in important early states.
Despite the best efforts of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Trump remains an outrageous front-runner.He has garnered support from a majority of Republican primary voters in most states, and historically unprecedented Leading in Iowa.
under pressure Recent information from the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee paused After sponsoring four events in the fall, the organization will also participate in hosting an additional panel this month.
Republican presidential candidates are now free to participate in any debate or forum they wish. CNN and ABC A total of three debates are planned. iowa New Hampshire this month, including tonight's CNN Iowa debate. The debate will take place days before voting begins in these two key early states. The race will be watched by millions of voters and will be a final high-profile opportunity for DeSantis and Haley to gain significant ground against Trump and change the trajectory of the primary.
Despite new media-sponsored debate opportunities in Iowa and New Hampshire, DeSantis and Haley acknowledge that they ultimately need President Trump's participation to occupy key polling places. are doing. Several candidates have performed well in previous Republican debates, but Trump's lead in the primaries only widens with each passing month.
DeSantis and Haley, keenly aware of this phenomenon, are increasing public pressure on Trump to participate in future debates.
DeSantis repeatedly called Trump a “keyboard warrior.” criticized He is campaigning for refusing to participate in the preliminary debate.
“He parachutes [a] Instead of listening to Iowans answer questions and doing what it takes to win, they give speeches for 30 minutes, 45 minutes, an hour and then walk away,” DeSantis said.
Haley took to social media to criticize Trump for not participating in the pre-Iowa caucus debate, saying the race had essentially been narrowed to three candidates and that “Donald Trump is showing up.” The time has come to reveal it.”
“As the debate arena continues to shrink, it becomes increasingly difficult for Donald Trump to hide,” she added.
Despite this full court coverage, President Trump is scheduled to participate in a live town hall on Fox News Des Moines with Bret Baier and Martha McCallum on the same night as the debate. Unlike in 2016, voters still punished President Trump's absence from the primary debate and his various behind-the-scenes events led to a decline in viewership and ratings.
Rather than complaints from DeSantis and Haley, the only action for now to get Trump back on the Republican primary debate stage is a surprise ultimatum from President Biden.
The Commission on Presidential Debates recently announced the dates and locations of three proposed fall presidential debates, but President Biden's campaign has not yet announced them. Involved To these. When asked about this, Quentin Fawkes, President Biden's top campaign manager, pointed out that President Trump did not attend the Republican primary debate.
Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has vocally urged President Trump to participate in the primary debates, believing that boycotting them could be detrimental to President Biden. excuse This is to avoid any debate during the general election.
Given this unique dynamic and opportunity, President Biden is likely to avoid Trump in the general election unless he also participates in the primary debates scheduled for Iowa or New Hampshire if Trump is the Republican presidential nominee. They should publicly announce that they will not hold a debate with the government. Of course, Mr. Trump could quickly dismiss this unusual request, but he would need to seriously consider it.
He is enthusiastic about the debate surrounding the 81-year-old president in the fall, seeing it as an essential part of a successful general election strategy in a close race. President Trump told Bret Bayer in June that he said of himself and Biden:must be discussed” He recently told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt that he would. “20 debates” Even though they were all organized by the much maligned Commission on Presidential Debates.
No matter how Trump responds to the ultimatum, it will be a clever use of the bully pulpit with little political downside. The surprise move will cause tension within the party, as politics makes for strange bedfellows, and will be warmly welcomed by DeSantis, Haley and Chris Christie's camps.
Christie called Trump during the Simi Valley debate “Missing during activity” President Trump earned the nickname “Donald Duck” because of his tendency to skip debates. During the debate in Miami, DeSantis said Trump owes it to voters to get on stage and explain his failures on federal spending, building the border wall and draining the political quagmire.
President Trump will turn 78 in June, but his opponents have called Hezbollah “very smart” and Hamas. Khums It has declined over the past few years and today presents a front-runner who is not as strong politically.
Ms Haley said politicians over the age of 75 should take a mental competency test and should never be confused. Trump's participation in the primary debates will allow other candidates to make these claims directly, hoping for disqualifying gaffes on the same stage.
At the very least, this could prolong Trump's eventual primary victory, which could happen as soon as possible. march, there were no unexpected developments. Considering President Trump, three Hillary Clinton and her debate performance against the president Miserable No matter how this scenario plays out, the president should be relieved, as it was for Biden in Cleveland.
Ahead of the extremely close and historically important 2024 election, Mr. Biden should not be afraid to use whatever influence he has over the sitting president.
Aaron Cole is Lee H. Hess is Director of Debate and Communication Lecturers at the University of Michigan and “ “We're discussing Donald.”
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