The Republican National Committee (RNC) recently revealed the lineup for its fourth presidential debate, and the results are underwhelming, to say the least. The stage will be graced by four GOP candidates who managed to meet the stringent benchmarks set by the RNC. The four participants who managed to qualify for the fourth GOP debate are Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Chris Christie. These candidates garnered enough support in public polls and grassroots donors to secure their spots on the stage. Notably, Asa Hutchinson, the former governor of Arkansas, failed to make the cut, leaving only four contenders to vie for attention in this debate.
To qualify, each candidate had to meet specific criteria established by the RNC. They were required to cite two national polls where they garnered at least six percent support, or six percent in one national poll and two polls from early-voting states such as Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada. Additionally, they were expected to amass more than 80,000 unique donors, with a minimum of 200 donors from at least 20 states.
The last candidate to qualify, Chris Christie, met his donor threshold in mid-November and pointed to two national polls from September and October that showed him above the required benchmark. However, since then, his national poll average has remained stagnant at around three percent, according to Five Thirty Eight. This raises concerns about the viability of his candidacy and whether he can truly compete against his opponents.
Seven GOP candidates have already withdrawn from the race, including notable figures like former Vice President Mike Pence. Some candidates even failed to make a single debate appearance, highlighting the lack of enthusiasm and traction they were able to generate. On the other hand, President Trump’s series of competing events has overshadowed the debates, with his popularity enabling him to skip these televised engagements without facing any repercussions.
President Trump’s overwhelming popularity among GOP voters presents a unique challenge for the remaining candidates. As more establishment figures throw their support behind Trump, calls for the RNC to cancel the remainder of the debate season have grown louder. Trump’s refusal to sign a pledge supporting the eventual GOP nominee, a requirement the RNC tried to enforce, has further fueled speculation about the relevance and impact of these debates.
Critics have likened the GOP debates to a junior varsity team or a children’s Thanksgiving dinner table, emphasizing the lack of substance and meaningful engagement among the candidates. The debates have been met with scorn, with RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel facing open hostility from candidates on stage. Vivek Ramaswamy, in particular, engaged in a heated argument with McDaniel following the third debate and has launched a website calling for her resignation.
President Trump’s ability to attract larger audiences and surpass the ratings of the GOP debates has put sponsors like Fox News in a precarious position. Faced with dismal viewership numbers, these sponsors have been forced to slash their advertising rates. Trump’s fundraising prowess is also evident, as he has already pledged to hold a fundraiser in Florida on the same night as the debate, further diverting attention and resources away from his potential opponents.
The increasing number of establishment GOP figures throwing their support behind President Trump reflects the changing dynamics within the party. As more influential voices align with Trump, the relevance and impact of the remaining debates come into question. The RNC must carefully consider whether these debates serve any meaningful purpose or if they have become nothing more than a sideshow overshadowed by Trump’s dominance.