Gov. Chris Sununu (R-NH) urged candidates to showcase their policies and personalities on the Republican National Committee's debate stage.
Sununu said in an interview with Fox News Digital that candidates at the RNC debate should not just go into "attack mode," pushing that likability will be the key for candidates battling for second place in the heated GOP primary race. Former President Donald Trump is the front-runner.
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"You've got to explain where you are with your policy. Where you are with your background," Sununu said. "But you've got to go beyond that. It's not just issue and policy-based. And it's not just in attack mode, either. They've got to show that charm, that charisma, that likability. Likability is so important in a race like this."
The New Hampshire governor stressed that candidates must exude "charisma, charm, inspiration. Something exciting. Something fun. Something that people say, 'Wow. That's something I can get behind.'"
Sununu's advice comes a day after he published an op-ed for the New York Times pledging his support to do "everything" he can to "help narrow" the Republican presidential primary field to avoid a second Trump presidency. He said that, as of now, his endorsement is "anyone's for the taking."
He called the debate "an awesome opportunity for all these candidates to stand up — not just to show that they deserve to be on the stage, but to show that they deserve to be the leader of the free world. That's really the differentiator. People want someone that inspires them. Some charisma."
Trump announced Monday he would not be at the debate, citing his significant lead over his opponents. However, most of the Republican voter base believes Trump should get onstage and debate the other GOP contenders.
Sununu has said he will support the Republican candidate in 2024, even if it is Trump. However, he has insisted that he does not believe the former president will get a chance at the White House again, citing Trump's presidential record and personal qualities.
"Look, after he loses, I don't think he's going quietly," Sununu said in July. "He's kind of a crybaby in that sense. He's always — have you seen his speeches?"
Sununu, who also mulled a presidential bid, announced in July that he would not run for reelection as New Hampshire's governor, a position he has held since 2017.
The gubernatorial race is already heating up, with former Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte and former state Senate President Chuck Morse running for the GOP. Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig and Executive Council Member Cinde Warmington are running as Democrats.
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The RNC debate will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Wednesday night, hosted by Fox News moderators Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.
Eight contenders will appear onstage for the first debate: Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND), former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former Vice President Mike Pence, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC).