Ramaswamy hesitant about joining third debate.
Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy is keeping everyone on their toes as he contemplates whether or not to appear at the highly anticipated third Republican presidential debate in Miami, Florida on November 8.
“He’ll make his decision before the third debate,” revealed Zach Henry, a spokesperson for the Ramaswamy campaign, in a message to The Epoch Times on October 20.
While the exact timing of Ramaswamy’s decision remains uncertain, the suspense is building.
Former President Donald J. Trump, the frontrunner among Republican presidential hopefuls, announced he would hold a rally near Miami, in Hialeah, Florida, the same day as the debate. It starts at 7 PM Eastern, an hour before the debate begins. President Trump has so far declined to appear in any of the debates, which require participants to pledge that they will get behind the GOP’s ultimate presidential nominee.
“Tonight’s GOP debate was as boring and inconsequential as the first debate, and nothing that was said will change the dynamics of the primary contest being dominated by President Trump,” declared Trump campaign senior advisor Chris LaCivita in a statement released after the September 27 Simi Valley event.
“The RNC [Republican National Committee] should immediately put an end to any further primary debates so we can train our fire on Crooked Joe Biden and quit wasting time and money that could be going to evicting Biden from the White House,” he added.
Ramaswamy’s indecisiveness is seen as a win for President Trump and his allies, who have criticized Ronna Romney McDaniel’s RNC for proceeding with debates despite Trump’s absence.
Even if Ramaswamy ultimately decides to participate in the Miami event, it is expected to have fewer participants compared to the previous debates.
Ramaswamy made a lasting impression during the first debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, engaging in a spirited exchange on foreign policy with Nikki Haley, Chris Christie, and other candidates on stage. His performance was hailed as one of the most memorable of the night.
“I believe President Trump was the best president of the 21st century,” Ramaswamy boldly stated to cheers from the audience.
“You make me laugh,” retorted Christie, but his response was drowned out by boos from the crowd.
The first debate also featured notable figures such as former Vice President Mike Pence, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The event took place at the Fiserv Forum, home of the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team.
All except Hutchinson qualified for and participated in the chaotic second debate, hosted by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.
Ramaswamy’s poll numbers peaked just before the second GOP debate, but have since declined, allowing Haley to surpass him in recent weeks.
This trend may explain Ramaswamy’s hesitation leading up to the third debate.
The RNC has continuously raised the bar for participation in each subsequent debate.
To qualify for the upcoming event, candidates must meet stricter polling criteria than ever before, achieving either 4 percent support in at least two national surveys or meeting the 4 percent threshold in one national poll and a poll from two early states in the Republican primary and caucus calendar, specifically New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada, or Iowa.
The RNC has rigorous standards that surveys must meet in order to be used for determining candidate eligibility, including sampling at least 800 registered likely Republican voters.
In addition, candidates must have at least 70,000 unique donors, with 200 or more from 20 or more states or territories.
Potential debaters will need to meet these requirements by the evening of November 6, just 48 hours before the second debate.
Be on the candidates who are actually participating in the debate.
Captured the attention of many viewers and established him as a strong contender in the race.
Since then, Ramaswamy has been carefully weighing his options and considering the impact of his participation in the upcoming debate. As a successful businessman, he understands the importance of strategic decision-making and the need to evaluate the potential benefits and drawbacks of every opportunity.
One of the factors influencing Ramaswamy’s decision is the presence of former President Donald J. Trump, who has chosen to hold a rally near Miami on the same day as the debate. Trump’s decision not to participate in any of the debates has sparked controversy and divided opinions within the Republican Party. While some see his absence as a missed opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, others believe that the focus should
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