The candidates vying to unseat Donald Trump from the top of the Republican presidential ticket will get their chance to go after the former president in absentia.
Trump, according to his social media postings and made more apparent by reporting that Fox News has banned his staff from the debate spin room, will not be joining his fellow conservatives in the time honored tradition of shouting over one another and the moderators while ostensibly attempting to explain why they are the best person to, in the parlance of the former president, “make America great again.”
Besides the 45th president, eight Republican White House hopefuls have qualified to take the stage in Milwaukee, for what is sure to be a political spectacle for the ages as candidates walk the very thin line between explaining why they should be president instead of Trump without alienating the MAGA faithful.
Without the former commander-in-chief present for his opponents to confront directly, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis may have the most to lose during the debate, which he enters with the barest of leads on his fellow conservatives when it comes to a race for second place behind Trump.
A recent leak apparently detailing his debate strategy showed he plans to attack newcomer Vivek Ramaswamy while defending the former president’s record and recent legal troubles. The day after the debate Trump is due to surrender himself for arrest following his fourth felony indictment since leaving office, this time to authorities in Fulton County, Georgia.
Ramaswamy may have the most to gain, after entering the race with zero political background or name recognition. According to social media postings, he is preparing for the debate with lots of physical activity.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, currently polling second in the first-in-the-nation primary state New Hampshire, has made a name for himself attacking Trump and his administration. Without Trump present, it is not clear to whom he will turn his attention.
U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley may stand out as the only woman on the stage, but she’s also one of the few who can boast real foreign policy experience. Haley is one of a few GOP contenders openly defending the decision to send arms to Ukraine.
South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott is the only sitting Black U.S. Senator and the only upper chamber lawmaker seeking the Republican nomination. Scott is polling third in Iowa.
Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson was the last to qualify and has been polling at 1% for most of the primary season. He’s been calling for the 45th President to bow out of consideration while his legal troubles play out.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has also been polling well behind other candidates and made the debate donor qualifications after telling voters he would give them $20 gift cards for $1 donations.
Former Vice President Mike Pence may have the hardest task ahead of him, considering his role in turning over the White House keys to the Biden Administration on January 6th. His time as Trump’s number-two hasn’t helped him with the former president’s base, some of whom label him a traitor for not accepting “alternate electors” from some states during the 2020 election certification.
Conservative talk show host Larry Elder, businessman Perry Johnson, and former U.S. Rep. Will Hurd are also seeking the nomination but did not meet the GOP’s debate qualifications.
Trump may pull a significant portion of the Republican audience away from the Fox News hosted debate. Former Fox host Tucker Carlson is expected to broadcast a pre-recorded interview with the former president at the same time. Trump has claimed he will skip all three scheduled debates.
“I will be very busy tomorrow night – enjoy!” Trump wrote on his social media platform.
The first debate will begin at 9 p.m., EST, Wednesday, and is scheduled to last two hours.