The Scoop on the Upcoming RNC Debates

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The Scoop on the Upcoming RNC Debates

Semafor reported that Republican presidential candidates are set for the first RNC debate hosted by Fox News on August 23. The two-hour debate in Milwaukee won't have opening statements but offers candidates 1-minute answers to questions with 30-second follow-ups. Some questions will also be submitted via pre-taped video from students. Candidates get 45 seconds for closing remarks and can partake in a "marketing shoot" with Fox News.

From Semafor:

Fox News is also offering candidates an “exclusive opportunity” to participate in what’s being billed as “a marketing shoot” with the network. This shoot will be done “on site” before Wednesday’s debate.

“The shoot involves both video & still shots that FOX will use to present candidates in a bigger, bolder way on the network throughout the campaign cycle,” the network told campaigns.

Semafor reported that eight candidates, including “Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence, Tim Scott, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, Chris Christie, and Doug Burgum” have qualified to participate, but Trump may not attend. Candidates must pledge RNC support in the general election. The debate will be moderated by Martha MacCallum and Bret Baier.

Yesterday, The Hill reported that a second debate will be held on September 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and sponsored by Fox Business.

From The Hill:

The RNC did not detail the criteria candidates will need to meet to qualify for the second debate, but a person familiar with the plans told The Hill last week that candidates will need to have a minimum of 50,000 unique donors, including 200 donors in 20 states or more each.  

They will also need to register at a minimum of 3 percent in two national polls, or poll at 3 percent in one national poll and 3 percent in two polls conducted in two early states, which include Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada, according to the source. Both the donor and polling requirements are higher than the threshold needed to qualify for the first debate. 

Wouldn’t you love to see someone like Kennedy or Greg Gutfeld moderate this one?

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