2024 Republican Debate Preview: How To Watch, Candidates Participating And Voter Concerns

On Wednesday, Aug. 23, GOP contenders will face off, giving Republican voters their first preview of the GOP candidates vying for the 2024 presidential nomination.

Here’s a look at the key topics Republican voters want addressed by the candidates.

How to Watch Republican Debate: For many months, former President Donald Trump has commanded a sizable lead among Republican voters in most election polls, including a 44-point lead in last week’s poll.

After months of hinting that he would sit out the first debate, Trump has said that he will not be taking part in Wednesday’s event, which airs at 9 p.m. ET. 

The first debate among Republican presidential candidates will air on Fox News, a unit of Fox Corporation FOXFOXA and will also be streamed on Rumble Inc RUM.

Fox and Rumble also landed the rights to the second Republican primary debate, set for Sep. 27, with Fox choosing to air the next event on its Fox Business channel.

Without Trump, there will be eight Republican candidates taking part in the first Republican primary debate. According to ABC, the candidates will appear on stage in the following order left to right: Asa Hutchinson, Chris Christie, Mike Pence, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, Tim Scott and Doug Burgum.

Although Trump won't be directly challenged on stage by these candidates as in past election cycles, viewers can anticipate discussions on key topics that may influence their voting decision.

Related Link: Trump Using American Idol Style Audtion For Vice Presidential Candidate: 'Let Them Debate' 

Topics to Watch: A new poll from Morning Consult reveals the topics that voters want to hear about the most, including those who support Trump and those who support another candidate.

For Republican voters polled, the top-selected topics of concern included:

• 1. Economy
• 2. Government spending and taxes
• 3. Immigration
• 4. Crime
• 5. Social Security and Medicare

Trump supporters selected the following five topics the most:

• 1. Economy
• 2. Immigration
• 3. Government spending and taxes
• 4. Crime
• 5. Election Integrity

Non-Trump supporters selected the following five topics the most:

• 1. Economy
• 2. Government spending and taxes
• 3. Immigration
• 4. Crime
• 5. Social Security and Medicare

Economic concerns topped the list for voters, with approximately 80% highlighting it as a crucial debate topic. Government spending and taxes followed closely, chosen by about 70% of those polled.

After those two topics, voters are split on what is most important. Trump supporters are more likely to want to hear about topics like immigration and election integrity than non-Trump supporters.

Trump supporters also ranked topics like President Joe Biden, China and fighting woke ideology as higher priorities than non-Trump supporters.

Gun policy and climate change were prioritized more by non-Trump supporters compared to Trump backers.

A recent Iowa election poll showed that only 40% of those surveyed have their mind made up on who they will be voting for among the Republican presidential candidates, with 52% saying they could be persuaded to another candidate.

Among Trump supporters, 66% said they had their minds made up, while 34% said they could be persuaded to another candidate.

With Trump sitting out the first debate, candidates could have a chance to sway uncommitted voters and also see their name recognition and favorability rankings rise.

Read Next: 2024 Election Betting Odds: Biden The Favorite, Ramaswamy And Kennedy Jr Surge Up List 

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