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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is receiving debate coaching from a former presidential nominee and collegiate debate champion. Mike Pence, a former vice president, is rehearsing both with and without a person playing his former running mate. Additionally, Tim Scott's campaign manager in South Carolina wants him to "have fun" on stage.
Eight contenders have so far qualified for the Republican National Committee's 2024 primary debate in Milwaukee based on polling and donation requirements. Additionally, even though numerous campaigns told CNN they had spent weeks getting ready, the 800-pound elephant in the room will likely be the candidate who might not even be present.
The last time a Republican debated Donald Trump was over eight years ago, and if the former president follows his past statements and listens to the advice of his top advisers, the current crop of candidates will continue to wait their turn.
According to numerous sources familiar with his preparations, Trump intends to forgo the debate on Wednesday in favor of an interview with former Fox News personality Tucker Carlson. However, according to his advisors, he could ultimately decide to alter his mind and decide at the last minute to attend the debate.
The remainder of the GOP field has been obliged to get ready for a variety of eventualities when it comes to the former president because of the memories of Trump's showmanship in previous performances, when he attacked moderators, provoked opponents into playground battles, and soaked up much of the focus. And whether or not he shows up, his escalating legal issues and obsession with the 2020 race are certain to loom. Trump must voluntarily surrender in Fulton County, Georgia, on charges connected to the fourth indictment he is facing by next Friday, which is two days after the debate.
"Practicing the art of pivoting and shifting the conversation to what voters are really concerned about is probably the No. 1 goal of these candidates on the debate stage," said one observer. According to Republican communications expert Alice Stewart, a veteran of four prior presidential campaigns and a political commentator to CNN, "they're not concerned about the grievances of the past." They must seize any chance to turn toward the future that presents itself.
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, ex-Gov. of South Carolina Nikki Haley, ex-Gov. of New Jersey Chris Christie, and ex-Gov. of North Dakota Doug Burgum all look to have crossed the fundraising and polling standards to be considered for the stage in addition to Trump, DeSantis, Pence, and Scott. Additionally, candidates must sign a loyalty oath with the RNC in order to participate. It is not Trump's signature. Christie is eligible to participate in the debate based on polls and donations, but he has not yet agreed to the RNC promise.
As they get ready to make comparisons in the hopes of stumbling across a breakthrough moment next week, several Republican candidates have been busy researching the voting and governing records of their rivals, notably how DeSantis has ruled in Florida and voted in Congress.
The main objective for many candidates who have failed to get attention is simply to present themselves to a broader television audience, but analysts tell CNN that some candidates who are practicing lines of attack against their better-positioned rivals. Gaining attention without alienating potential supporters is one of the hardest hurdles, according to strategists.
The Republican field of candidates may differ on issues such as support for Ukraine, restrictions on abortion, and job development. Although there is a growing feeling of urgency and a need to shake up the field, as in early primary debates from prior presidential contests, there will likely be more agreement than disagreement stated on stage.
According to a Fox News poll conducted before the debate, 53% of Republican voters would support Trump, who continues to maintain a significant nationwide advantage over his competitors. DeSantis is still in second place with 16%, although his position has declined from the Fox survey from June. Only Ramaswamy, with 11%, is a second candidate to reach double digits.
DeSantis is being targeted
DeSantis and his campaign have stated that they anticipate the Florida governor to become the focus of contenders attempting to further erode Trump's support if he is not on stage on Wednesday. Although national polls continue to show DeSantis is polling closer to the rest of the field than he is to Trump, the claim meshes with earlier attempts by DeSantis to paint the GOP primary as a two-man contest.
DeSantis stated in a Wednesday interview that "if you look at how this field develops, clearly, I'm the only guy that Trump's campaign basically attacks." The other candidates, for the most part, tend to focus more on me and say little to nothing about Donald Trump. We will therefore be prepared for everything.
According to a memo from a super PAC backing DeSantis, which was first revealed by The New York Times, the Florida Republican should "hammer" Ramaswamy and "defend Donald Trump in absentia" if Christie attacks him. The Never Back Down document, along with internal New Hampshire polls, an analysis of the Iowa electorate, and dossiers on how each candidate may attack DeSantis, were initially posted to the website of Axiom, a company run by super PAC consultant and seasoned Republican strategist Jeff Roe. Donors and fundraisers are confused and angry about the message, numerous sources told CNN on Thursday. One person involved with DeSantis' political campaign was shocked that someone at the super PAC would even consider writing a memo.Just one week before the debate, giving the campaign counsel was appropriate.
In response, the super PAC supporting Christie, Tell It Like It Is, sent a tongue-in-cheek memo instructing the governor of New Jersey to "Be yourself, and Tell It Like It Is."
I have a very straightforward debate plan, Christie said CNN on Friday. "I'll pay attention to the inquiries and provide direct, frank responses. And to call someone up on it if they say something that I think is dishonest up there. There you go.
A Ramaswamy representative told CNN that the candidate will "introduce himself and his vision" at the debate on Wednesday, and that "these boring, canned attack lines from a robotic candidate doesn't change that."
Recently, some contenders have expressed a desire to question DeSantis and review his record in front of Republican voters. According to Christie, his plan is to first gain ground on DeSantis in the polls, "then we are going to take on Donald Trump one-on-one."
Recently, Haley's campaign has made fun of the difficulties that DeSantis' presidential campaign has had in the public eye. Scott blasted DeSantis' Florida's new middle school Black history curriculum while underlining the governor's opposition to a federal abortion ban.
The Florida governor has prepared extensively for the challenge of possibly sparring with more experienced debaters like Christie and Pence, but DeSantis' team is aware in private that he has not yet faced a crowded debate field in front of a prime-time audience. Brett O'Donnell, a seasoned debate coach who has worked with everyone from front-runners John McCain and George W. Bush to challengers like former Minnesota representative Michele Bachmann, is helping DeSantis. HeDeSantis spent nearly two decades as a renowned debate coach at Liberty University, the Jerry Falwell-founded evangelical college in Virginia where he was a featured speaker earlier this year.
In the one gubernatorial debate he had with Democrat Charlie Crist last autumn, DeSantis came up short and showed some disturbing habits, like teeth grinding, awkward silences, and forced smiles, which will only be amplified on national television. His aides urged him to write the word "likable" in all caps at the top of his notes as a reminder to appear less confrontational, as seen in video of a 2018 debate practice that was leaked to ABC earlier this year.
Those close to his campaign have played down DeSantis' debate performance from last year, pointing out that he was polling well ahead at the time and hadn't done much preparation for a debate that wasn't going to affect his chances of winning reelection. However, there has been a focus on modifying DeSantis' stage mannerisms to prevent the camera from capturingany awkward situations, according to a source close to his team.
There have been extensive preparations made for other applicants who are hoping for their big break. Pence, one of the few candidates with prior experience debating at this level, began preparing for the first presidential primary debate last month, even though he had not yet raised the required amount of money to be eligible.
Greg Jacob, who served as Pence's legal advisor while he was vice president and oversaw his previous debate preparations, has overseen six of Pence's debate practice sessions. The Pence campaign staged a fake debate last week in Indianapolis without a Trump impersonator and another this week with one. Pence, a well-known hard worker and scholar, has been researching the 2016 debates asan example.
According to Scott campaign manager Jennifer DeCasper, the South Carolina senator's staff has surrounded him with subject matter and debate experts who will "poke and jab at him" and "throw him some crazy fast pitches."
"He's on fire when he has fun," she remarked.
Trump, according to rivals, is acting entitled.
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