Statecraft | First Republican Debate for 2024: High Drama, Missing Trump, and Questions Left Unasked

The highlights and chaos of Election 2024

The road to the 2024 Presidential election has officially kicked off with the first Republican debate, hosted by Fox News in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the Republican National Convention will be held in July. Moderated by Martha McCallum and Bret Baier, the night was filled with challenges from a lively audience and a conspicuous absence from former President Trump.

Before the debate recap, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Did you watch it? Did you see a winner? Did the debate change your vote? Tell me! Let’s talk about it!

Trump's No-Show

Arguably, the biggest headline of the evening was the absence of former President Donald Trump. Trump, never one to shy away from the unconventional, chose to skip the debate altogether. The decision drew criticism and speculation alike. He has argued that his current poll numbers make attending debates unnecessary. Who knows, his attorneys advised him not to attend. A debate is not the most controlled environment, and with his pending legal cases, what he says during the debate could be used against him.

Instead of attending, Trump sat down for an interview with Tucker Carlson that was released on X just five minutes before the debate began, an interesting move considering Carlson's firing from Fox News. Trump has refused to sign the required pledge to support the Republican nominee. Why? In a Newsmax interview with Eric Bolling, he stated that he chose not to sign the pledge due to some candidates speaking negatively about him or being individuals he does not consider good people. It's an interesting argument, considering that the people nominate who they want as the Republican candidate.

Fox News did its best to convince Trump to attend, including dinner invitations and a personal call from Bret Baier, but Trump stood firm. Efforts to include Trump surrogates in the SpinRoom were also thwarted, with Donald Trump Jr. even barred from entering by security.

The Lineup

The debate featured a cast of known and lesser-known Republicans, including:

• Ron DeSantis: The current governor of Florida.

• Vivek Ramaswamy: An entrepreneur from Ohio, known for his ventures in biotech and investment, and as the author of "Woke, Inc."

• Mike Pence: Former Vice President.

• Niki Haley: Former U.N. Ambassador.

• Tim Scott: South Carolina Senator.

• Chris Christie: Former New Jersey Governor.

• Asa Hutchinson: Former Governor of Arkansas.

• Doug Burgum: A surprise to some, the current governor of North Dakota.

Candidates Performance

Vivek Ramaswamy

Vivek Ramaswamy made his mark during the debate, confidently introducing himself and utilizing his youth and energy to stand out. Despite initially appearing somewhat arrogant, he toned down his demeanor as the evening progressed.

Oddly, His opening speech mirrored Barack Obama's first introduction during his first presidential debate. Zeroing in on Ramaswamy's age and lack of experience, Mike Pence contrasted himself as the seasoned politician. Chris Christie, in response to Ramaswamy's claim that he was the only candidate not "bought and paid for" by Super PACs, accused him of arrogance and even dubbed him the ChatGPD candidate for regurgitating Obama lines, leading to a humorous offer from Ramaswamy to hug Christie-like he hugged Obama. Nikki Haley went on the offensive after Ramaswamy's bold statement on Ukraine, accusing him of choosing "a murder over a pro-America country."

Ramaswamy's stances will resonate with pro-Trump voters. He openly claimed climate change is a hoax, vowed to stop aid to Ukraine, supported pardoning Trump, and emphasized combating the administrative state. Perhaps most striking was his plan to defund the Department of Education and reallocate its $80 billion budget to parents for educational choice, and end teachers’ unions at the local level.

In a notable moment, he was the first to raise his hand supporting Trump as the candidate, even if found guilty. Hailey, Scott, and Burgum followed suit, while DeSantis waited to raise his hand after looking to his fellow candidates as if to see if it was safe to raise his hand. The last to raise his hand was Pence.

Ramaswamy's fiery performance has brought attention to his campaign, mixing outsider appeal with distinct policy proposals.

Ron DeSantis

Ron DeSantis's performance at the debate left many wanting more. While he managed to avoid any significant missteps, he equally failed to enhance his standing, something that's become a concerning pattern for his campaign. During his opening statement, he leaned heavily on canned one-liners like "Biden in his basement." An unsettling smile at the end didn't help matters either.

He presented his record and policies without making any major mistakes, but a lack of passion failed to sell him as a better choice than Trump. It's almost like he was playing it too safe.

Interestingly, DeSantis escaped the debate without becoming a target of other candidates. Whether that's because they don't see him as a threat or were distracted by Ramaswamy, is a question worth pondering. On the policy side, DeSantis made some strong commitments. He touted his leadership during COVID-19, emphasizing his criminal justice reforms, and notably promised a firm stance against Mexican drug cartels, vowing to treat them as foreign terrorists and use the military to protect the border. It was a strong position, but got somewhat lost in a performance requiring more vigor.

The debate showcased a competent DeSantis but lacked a compelling narrative to differentiate himself from the pack or build momentum in the polls.

Mike Pence

Mike Pence, trying to portray himself as the elder statesman, stepped into the debate arena with a sober, experienced, and principled conservative air about him. But let's peel back the curtain, shall we? More often than not, he sounded like that cantankerous uncle who's always scolding the younger generation. And speaking of youth, his primary target on stage was Ramaswamy, the young buck he labeled a "rookie." Pence even drew parallels between Ramaswamy's inexperience and what he perceived as Obama's costly on-the-job training. As an establishment Republican candidate, he made no bones about his position but started to grate on nerves, including those of moderator Bret Baier, as he kept speaking over others. Bier's polite "Vice President Pence, this isn't helping" was a moment many might have silently cheered.

Now, navigating the success of the Trump administration while simultaneously critiquing Trump? That's like juggling flaming torches, and Pence's attempt was admirable, if not entirely successful. But perhaps the most telling moment was a spirited clash with Ramaswamy over the state of America, painting a fascinating picture of the Millenial vs. Boomer divide within the party.

While Ramaswamy passionately contended that Americans have lost their way, their sense of identity muddled by cultural upheaval, Pence seemed to miss the mark, countering that it's a mere governmental failure. He seemed almost oblivious to the cultural war that's not just a talking point but a living reality for many Americans. This exchange may encapsulate the generational tensions defining and perhaps dividing modern conservatism.

Nikki Haley

Nikki Haley's performance in the debate was an intriguing blend of old-school Republican values mixed with an attempt to position herself as a new-generation candidate. The trouble? It felt like she was a candidate for 2008 or 2012, not today's GOP. Her determination to move on from 2020 and focus on winning the general election seemed disconnected from what's crucial to current Republican voters. While it made for entertaining TV, her sparring with Ramaswamy on foreign policy showed her in an almost schoolteacher-like role, scolding his juvenile comebacks. And if you're against funding the war in Ukraine or American aid in unwinnable wars, Haley's not your candidate. She unapologetically supported those stances and seemed almost nostalgic for a return to politics before the Trump era. You just have to forget that Trump's presidency exposed many of the issues that many were blind to regarding our government.

But Haley's approach wasn't all retrospective. Her stance on abortion, although you may not agree with it, stood out for its honesty and realism. Haley laid out the real challenge of achieving a federal abortion ban, given the votes are not there in the Senate. Instead, she argued for focusing on tangible issues related to abortion, such as no late-term abortions, not prosecuting women, and supporting single mothers. She was smart strong, and displayed flashes of independent thinking. In contrast, Pence said he would fully support a federal abortion ban at 15 weeks. DeSantis responded more dodgy by saying he would fight for life but nothing specific at the federal level.

However, her tendency to lean into "girl boss" language and tropes could be grating to some. Her appeal might also be limited by her alignment with policies that feel out of step with the current political climate within the Republican party. Haley's performance was undoubtedly compelling, but whether it's compelling enough to resonate with the current GOP base is unlikely.

Chris Christie

Chris Christie's night on the debate stage could be likened to a determined but ultimately misguided boxing match against invisible opponents. He charged head-on with an intent to challenge Trump's legacy and spar with other candidates, only to find himself embroiled in petty exchanges that lacked substance.

His criticism of Trump's loss to Biden was pointed and unapologetic, and he didn't hesitate to accuse Ramaswamy of stealing lines from Obama's playbook. Throughout the evening, Christie consistently urged the GOP to stop normalizing Trump's behavior, aiming to distance the party from the former president's shadow. But the problem? He was largely unsuccessful in his mission. His insistence on criticizing Trump's conduct seemed to fall on deaf ears, and his persistent case against the former president was not well-received by the audience or fellow candidates.

Christie's performance was marked by energy and conviction, but his failure to articulate a clear, compelling alternative to Trump's vision left him looking more like a contrarian than a contender. It was a night when Christie's passion was evident, but whether he could translate that passion into points in the polls remains to be determined.

Tim Scott

Tim Scott's performance at the debate was akin to a pleasant background melody, like Muzak, affable, relaxed, and cool, but failing to grab your attention. While his soft-spoken and easygoing demeanor made him seem approachable, his appearance was largely forgettable, with few standout moments to remember. Despite this, he didn't put a foot wrong, leaving his candidacy unharmed.

When it came to his stances, Scott was a steadfast conservative, taking a hard line on abortion and speaking up about the weaponization of the justice system. Yet, his positions seemed to be delivered without taking any bold risks, fitting comfortably within the familiar lines of conservative thought, but without the spark needed to set himself apart from the crowd truly.

Asa Hutchinson & Doug Burgum

Asa Hutchinson, the former Governor of Arkansas, and Doug Burgum, the Governor of North Dakota, were there, and I'm scratching my head as to why they were even there. With his stances, Hutchinson seems more suited for conservative Democrats, and I couldn't help but notice something off about his eyes—pink eye, perhaps?

As for Burgum, the guy's got some great hair and eyebrows, and he comes off as genuinely nice. Yet, their presence felt like a filler, and their performances didn't make much of a political splash. Burgum did attend the debate with a ruptured Achilles heel, so credit was earned for standing there for two hours. Here's hoping for a quick recovery.

Fox News Performance: Hits and Misses

Fox News had its work cut out for them, hosting a debate filled with fiery exchanges between eight Republican candidates. If you were expecting some Thunderdome action mixed with political rhetoric, you weren't disappointed. But a closer look at the questions asked reveals a significant gap between what was presented and what Republican voters genuinely care about.

The debate started with a question on "Bidennomics" but failed to dive into more vital areas such as jobs, manufacturing back in the U.S., or energy independence. Hot-button topics like the transgender medicalization of minors, election integrity, critical race theory, and substantial discussion about the southern border were completely missing from the discourse.

Even more puzzling were the choices made in question selection. Why focus on UFOs, a fun but peripheral topic, during a primary debate to tackle pressing national issues? The climate change question seemed misdirected for a Republican primary as well, especially given the multitude of concerns left unaddressed.

The moderation itself had its shaky moments, with struggles to maintain control over both candidates and the audience. Candidates spoke out of turn, sometimes overshadowing one another. Pence was particularly noted for his violations, leading to a rare reprimand from moderator Bret Baier. The audience's reactions of applause or boos sometimes drowned out the candidates' responses, adding to the chaos.

Despite the theatrics, one can't help but wonder if the debate met its mark in resonating with the core issues dear to Republican voters. Was it a platform to tackle real problems or just an arena to entertain and provoke?

Conclusion

The debate paints a picture of a Republican party segmented and brimming with diverse voices, but are any of these candidates “the candidate?” Ramaswamy emerged as the most memorable participant, capturing the audience's attention and, arguably, winning the debate. He and Haley likely boosted their profiles, while DeSantis and Scott maintained their positions without making any significant gains.

The rest? Mostly there to argue niche points and represent smaller party segments, taking up space more than anything else. If this trend continues, we could look at a déjà vu of the 2020 election: Trump vs. Biden, Round Two. The result? Buckle up because four years from now, we might still be calling an old man "Mr. President." Whether that's a tantalizing promise or a tired refrain that's up for debate.