Almost immediately after CNN launched plans last week for the final debate before the Iowa caucuses, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he was helpless.
Its main rival – not so much.
With less than a month to go before the showdown scheduled for Jan. 10 at Drake University in Des Moines, most of the top contenders for the Republican presidential nomination are either not on track to qualify or have yet to commit to running.
“Debating is the minimum you do as a candidate. Certainly not brave enough to show up for a debate,” DeSantis told the “Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show” Monday.
“I’ll show up” the 45-year-old told the radio host. “We will see if the other two appear. But I think you should show up.”
DeSantis, former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, and former President Donald Trump were the only candidates to meet CNN’s strict 10% polling requirement on Tuesday evening.
Ron DeSantis ran in the fourth GOP primary debate last week. AFP via Getty Images
Trump has skipped all four Republican National Committee-sponsored debates this cycle, while Haley’s team said it was considering options and hoped the former president would attend.
“Since the RNC pulled out of the debate, a lot of new offers have come in,” a Haley campaign spokeswoman told The Post.
“We look forward to the debate in Iowa and continue to show voters why Nikki is the best candidate to retire Joe Biden and save our country. That debate should include Donald Trump.”
The Florida governor had previously challenged Vice President Kamala Harris to a debate, but she declined the offer. Reuters
Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung brushed off DeSantis’ jibes when asked if the 77-year-old would participate, telling The Post: “Ron DeSantis is eager to be president but that doesn’t mean he’s going to get what he wants.”
Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has expressed interest, but the 10% requirement in three national or Iowa surveys presents a challenge for him.
Meanwhile, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has steered clear of Iowa and doesn’t appear to be in a hurry to qualify either.
Donald Trump has cited his big lead as justification for skipping the debate. AP
DeSantis’ team argued that Haley and Trump were afraid of him and highlighted his made-for-TV verbal sparring with California’s Gavin Newsom earlier this month that drew higher ratings than last week’s fourth GOP debate.
“Ron DeSantis has taken on every major debate and won every debate. He absolutely beat Gavin Newsom and proved he can beat the Democratic nominee in the general election — no matter who it is,” spokesman Bryan Griffin told The Post.
“In the last Republican primary debate, he caused Nikki Haley to shrink back as he reminded voters that he had given up on every important fight as a leader,” he added.
The candidates bashed Nikki Haley at the latest debate. AP
“After that loss, it’s no wonder Haley failed to confirm she will join Ron DeSantis on the debate stage in Iowa and New Hampshire next month.”
Haley, meanwhile, took a dig at Trump over his debate absence, telling local Iowa station KTIV last week: “I think he needs to get on the debate stage here in Iowa because you’re fighting for the votes of Iowans.
“You cannot hold an election and not appear on the debate stage in front of the people who will vote for you,” he added. “I mean, that’s an arrogant approach.”
Ron DeSantis has been campaigning aggressively in Iowa with about a month to go before the caucuses. AP
The RNC released candidates last week from their pledge to only appear in debates allowed after the fourth verbal sparring in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Dec. 6
So far, the debate has not dramatically changed the landscape of the 2024 GOP primaries, with Trump still the frontrunner to clinch the nomination.
One dynamic that has changed is the rise of Haley, who is battling DeSantis for second in a crucial early state.
Trump is far ahead of the pack with 60.4% support, followed by DeSantis at 12.5%, and Haley at 12.3% in the latest RealClearPolitics aggregate of national polls.
In Iowa, Trump averaged 50%, while DeSantis was at 19.7% and Haley at 15.7%, per RCP.
The Hawkeye State will hold its caucus on January 15, 2024.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
