Summary:
- Former President Donald Trump will not participate in the Republican candidates' debate in Milwaukee.
- Republican candidates like Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis, and Nikki Haley are trying to appeal to Trump's base while distinguishing themselves.
- Former Vice President Mike Pence defends his ceremonial certification of the 2020 election results.
- The absence of Trump on the debate stage doesn't mean the conversation won't be centered around him, including his legal troubles.
- Experts predict that the debate could lead to viral moments that impact candidates' polling numbers.
- Candidates aim to perform well for a chance at the 2024 Republican nomination next year.
When the Republican candidates appear on the debate stage inside a downtown Milwaukee Arena Wednesday night, the overwhelming front-runner, former President Donald Trump, says he will not be joining them.
Only one of the expected participants, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, has been vociferous in criticizing Trump. Others such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley have taken a more measured approach, hoping to convince a party base that remains loyal to Trump that they can implement the former president's right wing, make America great again agenda, without the legal encumbrances and other controversies. Then there's Trump's former vice president, Mike Pence, who defends his ceremonial certification of the 2020 election results, which he did against Trump's wishes. He is still in the low single digits in most polls of potential 2024 Republican voters. Even without Trump on the debate stage making his trademark outrageous comments, the conversation will be largely about him, including the more than 90 felony charges the former president faces for alleged crimes committed before, during and after his presidency, predicts the University of Mary Washington political science professor Stephen Farnsworth. It creates a very, very difficult environment for the other Republicans because they have their own ideas for what they want to do with respect to key issues like the economy or Ukraine or immigration, but that doesn't mean they'll have much of a chance to talk about it.
They'll be asked about Donald Trump. The debate will not be very consequential for Trump. He will still be the frontrunner regardless of what happens, but for the others, there could be a viral moment, good or bad. That significantly changes their polling numbers. He votes American University School of International Service provost associate professor Jordan Tama. We've seen from debates and past election seasons that candidates sometimes have a moment in a debate that ends up disqualifying them because they look bad. We've also seen moments in past debates where candidates have said something that got a lot of attention for them in a positive way and gave them a huge boost.
Each candidate on Wednesday evening will be hoping their performance propels them to an encore here when the Republican Party convenes in the city to select its general election nominee in July of next year.
Steve Herman, VOA News, Milwaukee.