Recent disputes between the Republican National Committee (RNC) and potential presidential candidates have brought about discussions of a potential change in debating rules. The possible change would allow RNC candidates to participate in unsanctioned debates, a shift from the previous policy which required candidate to have RNC approval to take part in any debates.
The New York Times reported on Monday that the RNC is considering dropping this requirement. This could lead to unofficial debates, such as one featuring long-shot candidates Chris Christie and Vivek Ramaswamy, who have been seeking to elevate their profiles in the race. The RNC previously blocked a debate between the two on Fox News, but the potential rule change could open the door for similar events. If this change occurs, it may also impact the RNC’s scheduled January debates in Iowa and New Hampshire, potentially allowing other organizations to host independent forums. CNN has already announced a town hall with Ramaswamy and Ron DeSantis, indicating a shift towards new debate formats.
The upcoming debate airing on NewsNation will feature Christie, Ramaswamy, DeSantis, and Nikki Haley. Notably absent from the stage once again will be Donald Trump, whose absence has been linked to declining ratings in previous debates. Nikki Haley has been building momentum leading up to the debate, positioning herself as an alternative to Trump. However, she still lags behind DeSantis in national polls, and Christie has been urged by some Republicans to end his campaign against Trump, with potential benefit to Haley should he drop out. These dynamics reflect an evolving Republican landscape, with potential implications for the 2024 election.
For more details on the potential rule change and its implications, read the article on Vanity Fair.
