Wednesday night at the Ronald Reagan presidential library in Simi Valley, seven GOP presidential contenders showed up for the second televised primary debate. Former President Donald Trump was not in attendance. He spent Wednesday in swing state Michigan instead.
Trump, will be at the state Republican Party fall convention in Anaheim. He is popular among the rank-and-file, and is the scheduled keynote speaker for the Friday luncheon, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis set to deliver the Friday dinner address.
As CalMatters Capitol reporter Sameea Kamal explains, much more is at stake at the convention than just a boost for presidential candidates.
The California Republican Party is at a crossroads. In July, its policy committee recommended updating its platform to remove specific opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion — two policies that are at contentious in California.
A new poll may provide context for the convention. The Public Policy Institute of California poll found that Trump is at 48% among Republican likely voters — just short of the 50% plus one he needs in March to sweep all 169 delegates under the new rules party leaders passed. DeSantis is the only other candidate with double digits, at 14%.
While Trump did not attend the debate, California Governor did. Gavin Newsom, representing the Biden campaign, appeared at what he callously dismissed as “a vice presidential debate”, calling it a ‘clown show’. Newsom elaborated telling MSNBC that the candidates didn’t offer any real solutions.
Newsom also called DeSantis a liar and a hypocrite, to whom Fox anchor Sean Hannity replied: “Save that for the debate.” Newsom also said he doesn’t believe DeSantis will remain a presidential candidate come November stating that DeSantis belly flops on topics.
“The fact he took the bait in relation to this debate shows he’s completely unqualified to be president of the United States,” Newsom said.
The second Republican debate had a raucous tone, with the seven candidates frequently talking over one another and the moderators calling for order. But themes quickly emerged, including the auto workers’ strike, crime, government spending, inflation and border security.
The candidates lobbed accusations about allegiances with foreign governments and increasing spending during the other’s tenures.
Looking ahead, the third GOP presidential primary debate is slated to occur on November 8 in Miami, Florida. Candidates gunning for the Republican nomination will confront more challenging eligibility criteria in this upcoming debate.
Sources: Lynn La, CalMatters / FOX news
