To take part within the first Republican presidential debate on Aug. 23, candidates should meet difficult new standards, together with having at the least 40,000 donors and voter assist of at the least 1 % in three accepted polls. But the requirement inflicting probably the most consternation is a pledge to assist the eventual nominee.
The candidates might be despatched the pledge solely after assembly the opposite {qualifications}, based on an individual acquainted with the method, and may have till 48 hours earlier than the talk to satisfy these standards, giving them till the final minute to make up their minds. Here is what they’ve mentioned:
Donald J. Trump
Unclear. Former President Donald J. Trump has not mentioned whether or not he’ll signal the pledge.
In February, he refused to decide to supporting the eventual nominee, telling the conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, “It would have to depend on who the nominee was.” But that was earlier than the Republican National Committee made the pledge a debate requirement.
Even if he indicators, it’s unlikely to imply a lot. He signed the identical pledge in 2015 after which reneged on it.
Ron DeSantis
Unclear. Asked final month whether or not he would assist Mr. Trump in a normal election, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida didn’t give a straight reply.
Mr. DeSantis vaguely indicated he would possibly make the pledge, saying, “You respect the process, and you respect the people’s decisions.” But he made no dedication.
Doug Burgum
Yes. Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota has indicated that he’ll signal the pledge.
“I’m going to support whoever the Republican candidate is going forward in 2024,” he advised ABC News.
Chris Christie
Mixed messages. Former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey has steered he’ll signal the pledge: “I will do what I need to do to be up on that stage,” he advised Act Daily News.
“I’m going to take the pledge just as seriously as Donald Trump took it in 2016,” he mentioned, including that he thought-about it “useless” and had advised the R.N.C. as a lot.
Nikki Haley
Yes. Nikki Haley, the previous governor of South Carolina and former United Nations ambassador, has dedicated to signing the pledge.
“Absolutely irresponsible that Trump, DeSantis, and others won’t commit 100% to supporting the Republican nominee,” she wrote on Twitter. “There’s no room for personal vendettas in this battle to save our country.”
Will Hurd
No. Former Representative Will Hurd of Texas is the one candidate who has dominated out signing the pledge.
“I can’t lie to get access to a microphone,” he advised Act Daily News, including: “I’m not going to support Donald Trump. I recognize the impact that it has on my ability to get access to the debate stage, but I can’t lie.”
Asa Hutchinson
Mixed messages. Former Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas has dominated out voting for Mr. Trump if he’s convicted of a felony, however mentioned he would signal the pledge out of confidence that Mr. Trump wouldn’t win the first.
“You would have to make the pledge based on the fact that Donald Trump is not going to be our nominee and you’re confident of it,” he advised ABC News.
He requested the R.N.C. to “clarify that there is no pledge to support a nominee if they are found guilty of espionage or a serious felony.” (The R.N.C. mentioned no.) At the identical time, he says he’ll do no matter is required as a result of the debates are vital.
Mike Pence
Mixed messages. Former Vice President Mike Pence initially appeared to commit throughout a Act Daily News city corridor occasion, saying, “I’ve always supported the Republican nominee for president in the United States, and I’ll support the Republican nominee in 2024.”
But he struggled to reconcile that together with his assertion that “anyone who puts themselves above the Constitution,” as he says Mr. Trump did, “should never be president.”
He mentioned he didn’t consider that Mr. Trump would win and dodged follow-up questions. “I don’t think my old running mate is going to be the Republican nominee for president, and I’m very confident, very confident, that we’ll be able to support the Republican nominee,” he mentioned, suggesting that he won’t whether it is Mr. Trump.
Vivek Ramaswamy
Mixed messages. The entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has waffled on the pledge.
In February, he mentioned he would make it. But final month, he gave a caveat: “If the other candidates in this race make that pledge, I will stand by and be willing to,” he advised Fox News, including, “I’m ready to play ball, but I require the other candidates to play ball as well.”
Tim Scott
Yes. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina has indicated that he’ll signal.
“All Republican candidates would be better than any Democrat candidate,” he advised Fox News, whereas saying he was assured he would win the nomination.
Francis Suarez
Yes. Mayor Francis Suarez of Miami didn’t vote for Mr. Trump in 2020 however says he’ll signal the pledge.
“I think every single Republican candidate who wants to be on the debate stage has to pledge to support the nominee, and I will do that as well,” he advised ABC News.
Source: www.nytimes.com