Donald Trump says he won’t sign the pledge required to participate
In all,have met the Republican National Committee’s fundraising and polling thresholds required to qualify for the debate next Wednesday, Aug. 23, hosted by Fox News in Milwaukee. Trump is among them, although he has said publicly and privately that he’s leaning against participating given his big lead in national polls and concerns about the Fox moderators.Still, the former reality television star, who is a master at shaping media coverage, has yet to rule it out completely.
“You’ve got to prepare for two contingencies: one where Trump shows up and one where he doesn’t. It makes it more complicated,” said Republican strategist Lanhee Chen, who has been in touch with multiple campaigns about their debate preparations. “For many voters, this will be their first introduction to the candidates. ... What they do on this one night may be more substantial than anything else they’ve done.
The adviser said Pence is also prepared to stand up to Trump for his role on Jan. 6, 2021 — Pence has accused Trump of endangering his family in the attack on the U.S. Capitol — although Pence’s team doesn’t expect the Fox moderators to press debate participants on the issue. DeSantis has been participating in debate-related question and answer sessions at least once a week, having brought in experienced debate strategist Brett O’Donnell to assist.
“Regardless of whether or not Donald Trump is afraid to debate, Ron DeSantis is looking forward to being onstage in Milwaukee talking about his plans to beat, reverse the decline in our nation and revive America’s future,” said DeSantis spokesman Andrew Romeo. Haley made no mention of plans to go on the attack while speaking to reporters in Iowa over the weekend, but she did explain why she showed up to the state fair in a shirt that read, “Underestimate me, that’ll be fun.”
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Donald Trump is 'insulting' Iowa, GOP leader saysIowa State House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl slammed Trump's 'petty vindictiveness.'
Read more »
The Only GOP Candidate Other Than Trump to Have Benefited From His IndictmentsVivek Ramaswamy is running essentially as an insurance policy for Trump die-hards.
Read more »
GOP candidates prepare for the possibility Trump shows up at the debate after allThe former president — often known for his unpredictability — has said he's leaning toward not going, but his GOP rivals are still holding debate prep sessions as if he will be there.
Read more »
McConnell in Winter: Inside the GOP Leader’s Attempt to Thwart TrumpNEW: I spent a good bit of time this summer on McConnell’s last big campaign, the only way he’s confronting Trumpism: by trying to keep his party away from isolationism On the inside game, from Helsinki and Munich to DC and Fancy Farm
Read more »
Up for debate: Trump, DeSantis, and other 2024 GOP hopefuls' stance on Second AmendmentThe first Republican presidential debate is fast approaching on Aug. 23, when candidates will hope to close the gap on former President Donald Trump and separate from the rest of the pack. In this series, Up For Debate, the Washington Examiner will look at a key issue or policy every day up until…
Read more »