Former President Donald Trump is skipping Wednesday night’s Fox News debate. I think that’s a bonus for the GOP.
For one thing, if Trump wins the Republican nomination in 2024, the chances are the ticket doesn’t win in November.
All of the challengers on the stage in Milwaukee would be an improvement over the failed Republican who lost the White House in 2020.
The debate takes place as Trump’s most formidable GOP challenger, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, has been falling in the polls. But if DeSantis comes across as likeable during the event, he comes out ahead. I think DeSantis, the only Republican candidate to have served in the military, could climb out of the rut in which he has found himself.
This probably will be the last chance for former Vice President Mike Pence to free himself from Trump’s grip. I don’t see how he does so without criticizing his former boss more directly, but even if he does, it may be too late.
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, 37, has been the man to watch. He has energy, he’s tried to appeal to Trump voters, and it has been reported that DeSantis sees him as the rival DeSantis he must defeat in Milwaukee. Expect some criticism for his pledge to reduce U.S. aid to Israel.
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has had to battle with the perception that she’s running because she has her eye on the vice presidency. She says that’s not true, and she’s shown her willingness to go bold by being the first GOP challenger to throw her hat in the ring. An Indian-American like Ramaswamy, she’s also the only woman in the race.
Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., was appointed to the Senate by then Gov. Haley in 2012. He’s raised a lot of money. He’s the only single candidate in the race, a rarity in U.S. presidential elections. Scott also is the only African American in the field. He’s considered the Mr. Nice Guy in the race — after many years of Trump, primary voters might be craving nice.
Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchsinon demonstrated his chops by calling on Trump to drop out of the 2024 race. He alienated many in the GOP base, however, when he vetoed a bill that banned transition care for minors. He knows government, having served in President George W. Bush’ administration.
Former New Jersery Gov. Chris Christie talks a good game. He dressed down Sen. Marco Rubio during a 2016 presidential debate so thoroughly that Rubio’s bid for the White House never recovered. Sure, Christie has baggage. Some in the base won’t forgive him for walking the tarmac with then President Barack Obama after Hurricane Sandy. But really, as the governor of the Garden State, Christie was acting in the best interests of his constituents.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum found a novel way to qualify for Wednesday’s debate. The RNC set three criteria for Republicans to qualify for the first debate. To meet the 40,000 donor threshold, Burgum gave out $20 gift cards to donors who gave as little as $1. Let’s see what else he’s got.
For me, gubernatorial experience should give an edge to DeSantis, Pence, Haley, Christie, Hutchison and Burgum. They know how to do more than make speeches. They had had to govern.
Debra J. Saunders is a fellow with the Discovery Institute’s Chapman Center for Citizen Leadership. Feel free to leave a comment below.
We're way past the time we should have a woman president. Anyone who believes a woman cannot be effective is too young to vote. They don't remember British PM "Iron Maggie." Angela Merkel, German PM, was no pushover either.
Vivek will not get my vote. He accepted George Soros' scholarship money for college and George Soros and his minions are trying to destroy this country from the inside.