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Here’s who has qualified for the first Republican presidential debate

Here’s who has qualified for the first Republican presidential debate
THE NEW SEASON OF THE HIT TV SHOW. BUT WE START WITH BREAKING NEWS SURROUNDING NEXT WEEK’S PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY DEBATE IN MILWAUKEE. ABC NEWS REPORTING FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WILL SKIP THE EVENT AT FISERV FORUM. EIGHT CANDIDATES SO FAR QUALIFY FOR THE FIRST DEBATE OF THE 2024 ELECTION CYCLE. THE OTHER SEVEN COMMITTED TO BEING THERE ON WEDNESDAY. 12 NEWS POLITICAL DIRECTOR MATT SMITH IS ON TOP OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS. MATT, YOU JUST TALKED TO THE HEAD OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE. JOYCE, A LOT OF MOVING PIECES THIS AFTERNOON, ALL SURROUNDING THE DOMINANT FRONT RUNNER, FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP. THE NEW YORK TIMES FIRST REPORTING THIS AFTERNOON, TRUMP PLANS TO SKIP THE DEBATE AND INSTEAD SIT FOR AN ONLINE INTERVIEW THAT NIGHT WITH TUCKER CARLSON. TRUMP HAS BEEN SIGNALING FOR WEEKS HE WOULD SKIP THIS FIRST DEBATE HERE IN MILWAUKEE IN AN ONLINE POST OVERNIGHT, TRUMP SAYING, WHY WOULD I DEBATE WITHIN THE HOUR, I TALKED WITH REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIRWOMAN RONNA MCDANIEL IN A TAPING FOR UPFRONT. IT HAS FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP INDICATED HIS FINAL DECISION TO YOU YET HE HAS NOT SHARED HIS FINAL DECISION. I THINK HE’S GOING TO KEEP US ALL WAITING UNTIL MONDAY NIGHT OF NEXT WEEK. YOU KNOW, THE LATEST REPORTING FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES, ABC NEWS IS THAT HE ISN’T GOING TO ATTEND AND INSTEAD DO AN INTERVIEW WITH TUCKER CARLSON ON TWITTER. HAVE YOU BEEN GIVEN THAT INDICATION FROM THE CAMPAIGN? I’VE READ THE NEW YORK TIMES STORY, BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN THAT INDICATION FROM THE CAMPAIGN. OF COURSE, I HOPE HE DOES. THE DEBATE. I THINK THIS IS THE BEGINNING, NOT JUST OF THE PRIMARY, BUT ALSO OF THE GENERAL ELECTION. I THINK IT’S CRITICAL THAT WE GET OUR MESSAGE OUT AND TALK ABOUT HOW WE’RE GOING TO BEAT JOE BIDEN AND WHAT WE’RE GOING TO DO FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. SO I HOPE THAT HE ENDS UP ON THE DEBATE STAGE IN MILWAUKEE. ALL RIGHT. WITH THAT, THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE, WHICH IS ORGANIZING THE DEBATE, HAS GIVEN TRUMP AND HIS CAMPAIGN UNTIL MONDAY NIGHT, 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE DEBATE, TO MAKE HIS FINAL DECISION. JOYCE MATT, YOU MENTIONED THE MULTIPLE OUTLETS, INCLUDING ABC NEWS WITH NEW REPORTING THIS AFTERNOON, ABC JOYCE CITING SOURCES WITHIN THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN, SAYING ALL INDICATIONS AT THIS HOUR IS TRUMP WON’T ATTEND. BUT THE RNC MUST BE NOTIFIED OF THAT FINAL DECISION. WHATEVER HAPPENS, WE’VE GOT IT COVERED SUNDAY MORNING, A SPECIAL EDITION OF UPFRONT FROM FISERV FORUM FROM THE RNC CHAIRWOMAN, FORMER GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER. DNC CHAIR JAIME HARRISON AND CONGRESSWOMAN GWEN MOORE. THANK YOU, MATT. WE WILL SEE YOU THEN. AND WE HAVE ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE DEBATE FROM THE FORMAT TO WHERE AND WHEN YOU CAN WATCH IT. RIGHT NOW ON THE 12 NEWS APP IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE DEBATE ON WEDNESDAY, WE HAVE A SPECIAL ONE HOUR BROADCAST OF 12 NEWS AT TEN. POLITICAL DIRECTOR MATT SMITH WILL BE IN THE SPIN ROOM WIT
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Here’s who has qualified for the first Republican presidential debate
The sprint to qualify for Wednesday’s first 2024 Republican presidential debate is still underway for some candidates, even as the top-polling contender, former President Donald Trump has confirmed he’ll skip the showdown in Milwaukee.The Republican National Committee established three requirements for presidential hopefuls to qualify for the Aug. 23 debate stage.First, candidates must attract at least 40,000 unique donors, with at least 200 unique donors per state – a mark easy for the best-known figures in the race to hit, but one that lesser-known figures have used gift card offers, concert tickets and more to reach.Second, candidates must reach at least 1% in three national polls that meet the RNC’s requirements or at least 1% in two national polls and in two polls from separate early voting states.Finally, candidates must sign the RNC’s “Beat Biden pledge” – a commitment to back the eventual Republican nominee, no matter who wins the primary.Here’s a look at who’s met which criteria ahead of the first debate.Fully qualifiedThese candidates have met the unique donor threshold, polled well enough in qualifying surveys and signed the pledge to support the party’s eventual nominee.Mike PenceThe former vice president’s campaign said Friday he had signed the RNC’s loyalty pledge. In an email to donors Friday, Pence campaign manager Steve DeMaura said the Indiana Republican is heading into the debate as “the one candidate on the stage with nothing to prove, or not in need of a moment.”Ron DeSantisThe Florida governor told reporters earlier this month in Iowa that he had signed the RNC pledge. “The goal needs to be to defeat Joe Biden and change the direction of this country,” DeSantis said. “That mission is bigger than any one person. And so, you’ve got to be willing to step up, and I realized that this is a team effort. So, I was proud to do that.”Nikki HaleyThe former South Carolina governor and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations tweeted a photo of her signed pledge. She had crossed out the phrase “Beat Biden” on the top of the pledge and written “President Harris” instead – referring to her oft-repeated insistence that the 2024 election against an aging Democratic incumbent carries with it the possibility of Vice President Kamala Harris being in the White House. “Alright fellas, your turn,” she said.Vivek RamaswamyThe entrepreneur, who has signed the pledge, has attracted a base of small-dollar donors thanks in part to his early entry into the race. He also promised grassroots fundraisers a 10% cut of the money they bring into his campaign.Doug BurgumThanks in part to a scheme in which his campaign offered $20 gift cards in exchange for $1 donations, the little-known North Dakota governor met the donor minimum. His campaign announced he had also signed the pledge. “Now he will be the outsider, governor and business leader on the debate stage,” spokesman Lance Trover said.Tim ScottScott signed the loyalty pledge earlier this month, according to a copy obtained by CNN. In a statement announcing his signing of the pledge, the South Carolina senator said he’s anticipating sharing his “positive, optimistic message” at the first debate.Asa HutchinsonThe former Arkansas governor said Sunday that he has reached the donor minimum after having previously met the polling threshold. He has spoken out against the pledge requirement, but his spokesperson told CNN on Sunday he has signed it. Hutchinson told CNN’s Kasie Hunt on “State of the Union” earlier in the day that he would sign it, saying that he’s “confident that Donald Trump’s not going to be the nominee.”Chris ChristieThe former New Jersey governor, who had already met the polling and donor thresholds but had widely panned the pledge, has signed it, a campaign spokesperson said Sunday. Christie had said he’d do what he needed to do to participate in the debate. “I’ll take the pledge in 2024 just as seriously as Donald Trump took it in 2016,” Christie told CNN earlier this year.Met polling and donor thresholds; hasn’t signed pledgeDonald TrumpThe former president has not yet announced he has signed the pledge, but it may not matter: He confirmed in a post on his social media platform on Sunday that he will not attend the debate. Instead, he is expected to sit for an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, multiple sources familiar with his plans told CNN. A Trump adviser said that the former president could still decide to participate in a later primary debate.Met donor minimumThese candidates have not yet reached the required polling minimums to make the stage.Will HurdThe former Texas congressman said Friday on CNN that he has met the donor minimum but has not yet met the polling threshold. Hurd previously said he wouldn’t sign the RNC pledge but he appeared to have shifted his position. “I feel good about that, about being able to be ready to be on that debate stage, which we’re planning on happening. I feel confident we’re going to be in Milwaukee on Wednesday,” he said.Francis SuarezThe Miami mayor is little known nationally, and told The Hill last week that making the debate stage would be “frankly priceless” for his 2024 hopes. He tweeted last week that he had reached the required 40,000 donors. He has also claimed to have met the polling threshold; however, most of the polls he has cited do not meet the RNC’s criteria for debate qualification.Perry JohnsonThe Michigan businessman gave away gas cards, tickets to a Big & Rich concert and more to attract donors. However, he has little national recognition and will need to register in polls to qualify for the debate.Hasn’t met criteriaThis candidate has not yet said if he has met any of the GOP’s required marks to make the first debate stage.Larry ElderThe California conservative talk radio host, who was the leading GOP candidate in the 2021 gubernatorial recall, has sharply criticized the RNC’s debate qualification requirements. He faces an uphill climb, though he said on social media Friday that his campaign needed donations from 7,000 more individuals to meet the donor threshold.

The sprint to qualify for Wednesday’s first 2024 Republican presidential debate is still underway for some candidates, even as the top-polling contender, former President Donald Trump has confirmed he’ll skip the showdown in Milwaukee.

The Republican National Committee established three requirements for presidential hopefuls to qualify for the Aug. 23 debate stage.

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First, candidates must attract at least 40,000 unique donors, with at least 200 unique donors per state – a mark easy for the best-known figures in the race to hit, but one that lesser-known figures have used gift card offers, concert tickets and more to reach.

Second, candidates must reach at least 1% in three national polls that meet the RNC’s requirements or at least 1% in two national polls and in two polls from separate early voting states.

Finally, candidates must sign the RNC’s “Beat Biden pledge” – a commitment to back the eventual Republican nominee, no matter who wins the primary.

Here’s a look at who’s met which criteria ahead of the first debate.

Fully qualified

These candidates have met the unique donor threshold, polled well enough in qualifying surveys and signed the pledge to support the party’s eventual nominee.

Mike Pence

The former vice president’s campaign said Friday he had signed the RNC’s loyalty pledge. In an email to donors Friday, Pence campaign manager Steve DeMaura said the Indiana Republican is heading into the debate as “the one candidate on the stage with nothing to prove, or not in need of a moment.”

Ron DeSantis

The Florida governor told reporters earlier this month in Iowa that he had signed the RNC pledge. “The goal needs to be to defeat Joe Biden and change the direction of this country,” DeSantis said. “That mission is bigger than any one person. And so, you’ve got to be willing to step up, and I realized that this is a team effort. So, I was proud to do that.”

Nikki Haley

The former South Carolina governor and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations tweeted a photo of her signed pledge. She had crossed out the phrase “Beat Biden” on the top of the pledge and written “President Harris” instead – referring to her oft-repeated insistence that the 2024 election against an aging Democratic incumbent carries with it the possibility of Vice President Kamala Harris being in the White House. “Alright fellas, your turn,” .

Vivek Ramaswamy

The entrepreneur, who has signed the pledge, has attracted a base of small-dollar donors thanks in part to his early entry into the race. He also a 10% cut of the money they bring into his campaign.

Doug Burgum

Thanks in part to a scheme in which his campaign offered $20 gift cards in exchange for $1 donations, the little-known North Dakota governor met the donor minimum. His campaign announced he had also signed the pledge. “Now he will be the outsider, governor and business leader on the debate stage,” spokesman Lance Trover said.

Tim Scott

Scott signed the loyalty pledge earlier this month, according to a copy obtained by CNN. In a statement announcing his signing of the pledge, the South Carolina senator said he’s anticipating sharing his “positive, optimistic message” at the first debate.

Asa Hutchinson

The former Arkansas governor said Sunday that he has reached the donor minimum after having previously met the polling threshold. He has spoken out against the pledge requirement, but his spokesperson told CNN on Sunday he has signed it. Hutchinson told CNN’s Kasie Hunt on “State of the Union” earlier in the day that he would sign it, saying that he’s “confident that Donald Trump’s not going to be the nominee.”

Chris Christie

The former New Jersey governor, who had already met the polling and donor thresholds but had widely panned the pledge, has signed it, a campaign spokesperson said Sunday. Christie had said he’d do what he needed to do to participate in the debate. “I’ll take the pledge in 2024 just as seriously as Donald Trump took it in 2016,” Christie told CNN earlier this year.

Met polling and donor thresholds; hasn’t signed pledge

Donald Trump

The former president has not yet announced he has signed the pledge, but it may not matter: He confirmed in a post on his social media platform on Sunday that he will not attend the debate. Instead, he is expected to sit for an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, multiple sources familiar with his plans told CNN. A Trump adviser said that the former president could still decide to participate in a later primary debate.

Met donor minimum

These candidates have not yet reached the required polling minimums to make the stage.

Will Hurd

The former Texas congressman said Friday on CNN that he has met the donor minimum but has not yet met the polling threshold. Hurd previously said he wouldn’t sign the RNC pledge but he appeared to have shifted his position. “I feel good about that, about being able to be ready to be on that debate stage, which we’re planning on happening. I feel confident we’re going to be in Milwaukee on Wednesday,” he said.

Francis Suarez

The Miami mayor is little known nationally, and that making the debate stage would be “frankly priceless” for his 2024 hopes. He last week that he had reached the required 40,000 donors. He has also claimed to have met the polling threshold; however, most of the polls he has cited do not meet the RNC’s criteria for debate qualification.

Perry Johnson

The Michigan businessman gave away gas cards, tickets to a Big & Rich concert and more to attract donors. However, he has little national recognition and will need to register in polls to qualify for the debate.

Hasn’t met criteria

This candidate has not yet said if he has met any of the GOP’s required marks to make the first debate stage.

Larry Elder

The California conservative talk radio host, who was the leading GOP candidate in the 2021 gubernatorial recall, has sharply criticized the RNC’s debate qualification requirements. He faces an uphill climb, though he that his campaign needed donations from 7,000 more individuals to meet the donor threshold.