What is Trump afraid of?
Kimberly Ross
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The first GOP presidential debate on Aug. 23 is shaping up to be must-see television, one way or another. Front-runner and 45th president Donald Trump may or may not show up.
Trump is certainly the one to beat. His poll numbers put him solidly ahead of all the other candidates. But choosing to skip the debate isn’t the power move Trump thinks it is.
On Wednesday, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel was clear about her feelings on a possible no-show: “I think it’s a mistake to not do the debate, but that’s going to be up to him and his campaign. This is an audience of 20-million-people-plus. Why wouldn’t we get in front of them before we go against Joe Biden?”
McDaniel’s unquestioning support for Trump has been evident through the years. In more than one instance, her commitment to him has overshadowed her conservative credentials. But in this case, she is correct. Skipping the debate would be a mistake. And the reasons for that are far more than just a missed attempt at preparing for a showdown with President Joe Biden.
Presidential debates can be tedious and theatrical and back again, often in a short span of time. The candidates are there to present themselves to both secured and potential voters. Campaign commercials, interviews, and social media postings only give part of the picture. Qualifying candidates interested in securing the nomination for leader of the country should attend the debates.
Amazingly, the former president is trying to sell the idea that debating those who trail him in the polls is somehow unfair to him, the front-runner. During a Sunday interview on Fox, he said the following: “You’re leading people by 50 and 60 points, you say why would you be doing a debate? It’s actually not fair. Why would you let somebody that’s at zero or one or two or three be popping you with questions?”
If anyone should be complaining about how fair the debate structure is, it should be the rest of the field. But those other candidates gladly welcome a debate with the front-runner and all others who meet the requirements. Trump’s reason for possibly not attending (he has yet to make up his mind) has little to do with arrogance in polling. Trump knows his grasp of policy and ability to articulate objectives is sorely lacking.
There is no doubt the former president is entertaining to watch on the debate stage. Amusing or shocking the crowd doesn’t equate to substance, though. And it’s not the kind of material voters should be eager to see from a candidate. The United States continues to face critical issues that need addressing in all areas, foreign and domestic. Sober leadership is a must. As is the ability to understand the issues Americans face and offer solutions.
Those attributes are not Trump’s strong points. Instead, he spends his time refusing to accept his 2020 election loss along with his part in an underwhelming midterm election. Trump, who hired such “great people,” insults most of his former employees now. Trump mocks and criticizes governors such as Brian Kemp (R-GA) and Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and praises Chinese President Xi Jinping.
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If Trump shows up to the debate, he will have to contend with experienced, capable leaders such as DeSantis and former ambassador and governor Nikki Haley. They contrast Trump in ways that make him, not them, look bad. If he appears on stage with these and the others, he will stand out for his inabilities more than anything else. If Trump doesn’t show up to the debate, it will just be another tantrum from a man who is famous for them. He will have missed it because he can’t adequately compete.
There is a good chance Trump will be the 2024 Republican nominee for president. Since he is aiming for that spot but has yet to secure it, he should humble himself enough to debate with his peers in front of voters. That he might reject the opportunity says much about his view of the American people, the process, and his own lack of knowledge. Whether Trump attends the debate or not, the outcome is the same: He is unfit for the office he seeks.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a columnist at Arc Digital.