Despite the GOP field’s packed slate, the Republican National Committee’s first 2024 presidential primary debate later this summer is expected to be fraught with logistical problems.
From the political drama between candidates to the controversial rules that some have publicly criticized, the presidential debates may face some disruptions this year depending on what happens before the first debate. The inaugural event, to be hosted by Fox News, is set for Aug. 23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
WHY MAKING THE GOP DEBATE STAGE WILL BE HARDER THAN EVER
Here are all the problems plaguing the first GOP debate of the 2024 election season.
Debate criteria
In a new set of qualifications laid out in June, the RNC requires each candidate to have a minimum polling score and a sufficient number of donors.
A candidate must score at least 1% in three national polls or a mix of two national polls and two polls from early primary states, U.S. News & World Report reported. As for the donors, candidates must receive funds from 40,000 people, including 200 unique donors in 20 or more states. If neither requirement is fulfilled, candidates are disqualified from participating in the debates.
So far, former President Donald Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy are tentatively approved to debate if they wish, pending the release of second-quarter fundraising data. The rest of the GOP lineup has yet to be approved.
Loyalty pledge
Another RNC rule requires all presidential hopefuls to pledge their support to the party nominee once they qualify for the debates or else run as a third-party candidate. This has been an especially hot-button issue for some.
Former Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) said earlier this week he refuses to sign such a pledge, and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said last month the signed statement is “useless.” The latter also revealed he would take the rule about “as seriously as Donald Trump took the pledge in 2016,” as Trump did not support a party nominee then.
The Florida GOP announced this week it will require candidates to sign the RNC pledge in support of the party’s nominee or forfeit their ballot in the Sunshine State. Despite pushback, the RNC does not intend to drop its pledge requirement.
Trump’s boycott
Earlier this year, Trump repeatedly threatened to skip the first presidential debate and even suggested he will host a competing event on Aug. 23.
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It remains unclear whether the former president will attend the initial GOP debate as there has been no confirmation on his end, but RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel predicted he wouldn’t end up boycotting in the end.
DeSantis said Friday he will participate in the debates whether Trump attends or not.
