RNC Chair Says Trump's Absence In GOP Debate 'Can Be Part Of Their Strategy'

Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel said that the absence of former president Donald Trump in the GOP primary debates might be a part of their political strategy for the 2024 presidential elections, Politico reported.

She described his decision to not participate as a "calculus" based on his campaign strategy

"We've had candidates skip debates. That can be part of their strategy," McDaniel said.

Addressing the media on the eve of the inaugural GOP primary debate, she hopes for prioritizing issue-based discussion over any focus on Trump’s absence.

"I really do hope that it's a policy-driven debate, and that these candidates have a chance to show who they are and what they stand for on huge issues that we have facing our country," she mentioned.

Trump, currently leading the GOP polls, has confirmed he will not be participating in Wednesday’s debate. Despite this, McDaniel emphasizes the importance of the event as a platform for prospective candidates to showcase their stance on critical national issues.

See Also: Mike Pence’s Game Plan For Upcoming GOP Debate: ‘I’m Just Going To Be Me’

Although McDaniel has encouraged Trump to attend, she refrained from labeling his absence as evasion from media scrutiny.

The chair also addressed legal threats from disgruntled candidates who didn’t qualify for the debate, insisting that the rules were applied equally to every candidate.

Despite calls to mandate debate participation for nomination eligibility, McDaniel confirmed it’s too late to enforce such a rule for Trump. She suggested it could be a topic for future RNC discussions.

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