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Published 08-24-2023
Here's a summary of the article from BBC News regarding the Republican debate in Milwaukee:
- Title: "How Trump rivals will sell themselves as he skips Republican debate in Milwaukee"
- Author: Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent in Milwaukee
- Date: Published 52 minutes ago from the time of access
Main Points:
- Trump's Absence: Former President Donald Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 White House race, is not attending the party's first primary debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Instead, he's releasing an interview with former Fox host Tucker Carlson at the same time as the debate. This move is seen as an attempt to divert attention from the other candidates.
- Trump's Dominance: Surveys show Trump is the preferred choice of over half of likely primary voters. This makes it challenging for other candidates to gain traction and present themselves as viable alternatives.
- Candidates' Strategies:
- Ron DeSantis: The Florida governor is positioning himself as a more effective leader than Trump, emphasizing his accomplishments in Florida and criticizing Trump for being too focused on the past.
- Vivek Ramaswamy: The tech executive is aligning himself closely with Trump's policies and views, positioning himself as a younger, charismatic alternative to Trump.
- Mike Pence: The former vice president is highlighting his refusal to overturn the 2020 election results under Trump's pressure and emphasizing his support for traditional conservative policies.
- Tim Scott: The South Carolina senator is running an optimistic campaign, focusing on his personal story and religious beliefs.
- Nikki Haley: The former US ambassador to the UN and South Carolina governor has been critical of Trump post the US Capitol riot but has also highlighted her time working for him.
- Chris Christie: The former New Jersey governor, once a Trump supporter, has become one of his sharpest critics within the party.
- Doug Burgum: The North Dakota governor is focusing on the economy and aims to run the federal government like a business.
- Asa Hutchinson: The former Arkansas governor's standing among Republicans has been affected due to his veto of a law restricting transgender medical treatment for children and his criticism of Trump.
- Trump's Influence: Despite the presence of these candidates, Trump's absence from the debate and his simultaneous interview release indicate his continued influence and dominance in the Republican party.
This is a summarized version of the article.