Vantage | What's a Republican debate worth that Trump skips and still wins?

In the lead-up to the 2024 US presidential elections, the Republican race is unfolding with a unique twist – former president Donald Trump, despite not participating in the debates, continues to dominate the polls. The recent third presidential debate in Miami showcased the dynamics of a race where the leading candidate isn’t even on stage.

Trump’s strategic rally move While five Republican candidates sparred over crucial issues such as abortion, the economy, and even footwear, Trump opted to skip the debate in favour of attending a rally just kilometres away. This strategic move underlines Trump’s confidence in his current lead and positions him as a formidable force in the upcoming elections. “Look where we are now, it’s a lot different than where we were in 2016. And Donald Trump’s a lot different guy than he was in 2016. He owes it to you to be on this stage and explain why he should get another chance," said Florida Governor Ron Desantis. Battle for second place The absence of the leading candidate has shifted the focus to a battle for second place among the remaining contenders. The debate highlighted the challenge these candidates face in gaining traction when Trump looms large over the race. The debate underscored the significance of these discussions even with Trump’s absence. The candidates left standing are fighting not only to distinguish themselves but also to bridge the gap with the current front-runner. The Iowa Caucus, just two months away, adds urgency to their efforts as it marks the first real contest in the nomination process. Key takeaways: Unity on Israel, division on abortion Despite Trump’s shadow, the debate showcased unity among the candidates on Israel with a unanimous commitment to defeating Hamas and supporting Israel’s right to self-defence. However, sharp divisions emerged on the issue of abortion highlighting the diverse perspectives within the Republican party. “We’re better off when everybody counts. We’re better off when we can promote a culture of life. At the same time, I understand that some of these states are doing it a little bit different,” said Governor Desantis. Haley also presented her thoughts on the matter. “Let’s talk now about last night’s election results and what I’ll tell you is, as much as I’m pro-life, I don’t judge anyone for being pro-choice and I don’t want them to judge me for being pro-life,” she said. Even families aren’t spared Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy taking a potshot at his competitor Nikki Haley said, “In the last debate, she made fun of me for actually joining TikTok while her own daughter was actually using the app for a long time. So you might want to take care of your family first. The next generation of Americans are using it, and that’s actually the point. (Audience boos) You have her supporters propping her up. That’s fine. Here’s the truth…” Amidst the verbal jostling and name-calling, Nikki Haley, the lone woman in the race, she was quick to retort. “Leave my daughter out of your voice. You’re just scum,” Republican presidential candidate Haley said. Debating without the front-runner: What’s the point? The overarching question raised by Trump’s absence is the purpose of Republican debates when the leading candidate chooses not to participate. The candidates are left to spar amongst themselves raising doubts about the efficacy of these debates in influencing the trajectory of the race. As the Iowa Caucus approaches, the Republican candidates find themselves in a unique situation, grappling not only with each other but also with the significant presence of Trump, who, by abstaining from debates, leaves them to navigate the path to the nomination on their own. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.