Four Republican presidential hopefuls are set to participate in a debate at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The candidates include Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. This event comes as former President Donald Trump, who is not participating in the debate, holds a fundraiser in Florida.
The debate, which will be moderated by Elizabeth Vargas, Megyn Kelly, and Eliana Johnson, will be broadcasted on NewsNation, The CW television network, KTLA-TV, and Rumble. Viewers will have the opportunity to submit questions for the candidates, providing a platform for direct interaction.
The debate offers a significant opportunity for the candidates to make their case to Republican voters before the party's nominating contest begins next month. However, the candidates face a challenging landscape. Despite not participating in the debates, Trump maintains a dominant lead in national and early-state polls, currently 40 percentage points ahead of DeSantis, his closest rival.
Each candidate brings a unique dynamic to the debate. DeSantis, who is struggling in the polls, needs to make a strong showing. Haley, experiencing a surge in support from establishment Republicans, will need to convince more conservative voters that she is conservative enough to win the nomination. Ramaswamy's campaign is losing steam, but he may be eyeing a position as ambassador to the United Nations. The candidates may also discuss the issue of 'woke' policies.
Democrats argue that the GOP field is just as extreme as Trump, with every Republican on stage desperate to mirror his agenda. President Biden believes that there are probably 50 Democrats who could defeat Trump in 2024.