The 2024 Republican presidential primary debate's first installment unfolded at Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum, moderated by Fox News anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum. The two-hour session featured eight GOP presidential candidates: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Ohio entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. The candidates engaged in discussions that spanned various topics, from policy issues to the lasting impact of former President Donald Trump.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, seen as Trump's closest competition, delivered a carefully calibrated performance, clearly positioning himself as the successor to Trump's mantle, albeit with his unique flair. "Tonight is about the future and what we stand for," said DeSantis when questioned on whether he would support Trump in the face of a potential conviction. DeSantis turned the focus onto his governance, pointing to a commendable record on crime reduction and immigration control.
The evening also showcased political newcomer Vivek Ramaswamy, an Ohio entrepreneur, who captivated attention with his spirited exchanges with veteran politicians. Former Vice President Mike Pence probed Ramaswamy's political inexperience, asking, "What exactly has Mr. Ramaswamy done to prove he's ready for office?" Undeterred, Ramaswamy shot back, "Loyalty to our country comes first," addressing a query from former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie about his allegiance to Trump.
Christie struggled to find his footing during the debate. Despite adopting a confrontational style, the boos he received from the crowd weakened his attempts to present himself as an alternative to the party's current direction.
The divide within the GOP was vividly outlined on the issue of abortion. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley urged a "more measured approach," while Mike Pence and Senator Tim Scott advocated a strict 15-week federal abortion ban. With one eye on the general election, Haley also introduced moderate stances on climate change and contraception to her platform.
The debate inevitably steered toward the controversial events of January 6, 2021. DeSantis deftly navigated a question from Pence, affirming that the former Vice President had "fulfilled his constitutional duties" on that fateful day.
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Vivek Ramaswamy, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Former New Jersey
Gov. Chris Christie, Gov. Doug Burgum, Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, Former Vice President Mike Pence, Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley File Photo
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Ramaswamy saw a modest increase in his support, moving from 10% to 11%, within the survey's margin of error. Support for Christie also nudged up, albeit marginally, from 3% to 4%. This static electoral sentiment starkly contrasts with the 2020 Democratic primaries, which saw significant movement after their initial debates.
Though Trump was absent from the debate stage, he was present online in an interview with Tucker Carlson, broadcast at the same time as the debate. Nielsen reports indicated that the debate was watched by 12.8 million people, which was only slightly higher than a January 2016 debate that Trump skipped. However, this was considerably less than the 24 million who watched Trump's first debate appearance in 2015.
Social media giant X reported that Carlson's online interview with Trump reached 236.7 million views. However, this is based on how many scrolled past the tweet rather than how many engaged with the content.
While the debate did not significantly shift the tectonics of the 2024 Republican race, it was a critical opportunity for candidates to present their visions for America.