With former President Donald Trump skipping Wednesday night’s Republican presidential debate, the eight candidates taking the stage have a chance to shine and build a 40-point poll gap with the 77-year-old front-runner.
Unfortunately for them, experts consulted by The Post agreed, no one is doing enough in Milwaukee to change the dynamics of the race.
“All the candidates are looking for a breakout moment and they’re not getting it,” said former Westchester County executive and Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino.
“Donald Trump is not there,” he added. “That’s like watching the Kansas City Chiefs without Patrick Mahomes. The star is not there.”
The candidate who came into the night with the highest expectations was Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who polled a solid — if distant — second behind Trump in most national polls.
“DeSantis hit a fly ball near the fence,” Astorino said of the former college baseball player. “He was trying to hit a home run. I don’t think he had a great performance. He was not attacked much. He is still a viable candidate.”
Republican political consultant Rob Ryan agreed, telling The Post DeSantis “has all the charm of a New Jersey state trooper shining his flashlight in your eyes at 1 a.m. He doesn’t seem to be in touch.”
Former President Donald Trump has missed the first GOP Presidential Debate, according to experts.AP
The candidate who came into the night with the highest expectations was Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who polled a solid — if distant — second behind Trump in most national polls.Getty Images
Former Senator Alfonse D’Amato disagreed, saying DeSantis was “very good. It is true that he did not retreat to the teachers’ union. He’s right on the border.”
The most polarizing candidate of the night was Vivek Ramaswamy, who was attacked in turn by former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence, and former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on issues including pardoning Trump if he is convicted. in any of the four pending criminal cases against him and continued military aid to Ukraine.
“Vivek is very smart — but he’s over the top,” says D’Amato. “She’s a showboat, but she got her name there.”
“Vivek Ramaswamy started off strong, but then he came across as too cocky, too clever,” Ryan said. “He has the arrogance of a billionaire, like Elon Musk.”
The most polarizing candidate of the night was Vivek Ramaswamy, who was attacked by several other candidates.Getty Images
Astorino gave the 38-year-old his strongest support yet, telling him “good night.”
“He’s lively. He gets a lot of attention,” he added. “He got a lot of arrows, which means people saw him as a threat.
Democratic consultant Hank Sheinkopf told The Post that Ramaswamy was the only candidate on stage who wasn’t considered “boring,” which is hardly a compliment.
“Vivek is very clear, but he is not going anywhere. The next stop for him is oblivion,” Sheinkopf said. “A man who lifts weights and attacks Israel is someone who gets attention? Is that the best the Republican Party can get? That all?”
Democratic consultant Hank Sheinkopf told The Post that Ramaswamy was the only candidate on the stage who wasn’t considered “boring,” which was hardly a compliment.REUTERS
Of the other candidates on stage, GOP negotiator Ryan was most impressed with Haley — “It would be interesting if she drew more support from women” — and Pence.
“The best thing for Mike Pence is when everyone says he did the right thing on January 6 and rejected Trump’s offer to decertify the 2020 election,” he said. “We may see an improvement from Pence based on what other people are saying about him.”
Astorino objected, saying Pence “went from a simmer to a slow fire.” He’s not excited.”
“I think Tim Scott is good on the economy and has a strong military,” D’Amato said. “I don’t think Mike Pence distinguished himself during the debate and Chris Christie didn’t help himself. Nikki Haley isn’t helping herself much.”
Astorino objected, saying Pence “went from a simmer to a slow fire.” He is not excited.” AP
Ryan said the former New Jersey governor “is an attack dog, he always has been, but I don’t know if it helps him” while Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) “isn’t dynamic enough.”
All six candidates referenced by our experts will likely enter the debate stage next month in Simi Valley, Calif.
The big question is whether others will feel the need to join them.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
