Is a Republican presidential debate without former President Donald Trump worth watching?
A large chunk of Republicans don’t seem to think so.
A slim majority of 52 percent of Republicans indicated they would watch Wednesday night’s GOP primary debate on Fox News in an Economist/YouGov poll released the same day.
Of this demographic, only 19 percent said they “definitely” would watch the contest.
A larger 33 percent of Republicans said they “probably” would watch the Milwaukee event.
By comparison, 36 percent said they weren’t planning to watch — with 15 percent “definitely” assured of their decision.
Twelve percent of Republicans weren’t sure about their plans for the debate.
The online poll surveyed 1,309 registered voters Saturday through Tuesday. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent.
More Democrats appeared interested in the spectacle than independents, with 42 percent of the former indicating a probable or definite plan to watch.
A mere 27 percent of non-affiliated voters had the same idea.
Across party demographics, 38 percent of Americans said they planned to view the debate, while 47 percent said they had other plans.
Trump announced he had decided against attending the debate days before the contest.
The GOP front-runner also said he is opting out of all primary debates, citing his overwhelming lead in the polls.
Instead of facing his challengers on a debate stage, Trump appeared in a prerecorded interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson released online during the same time frame as the debate.
Ep. 19 Debate Night with Donald J Trump pic.twitter.com/ayPfII48CO
— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) August 24, 2023
The former president’s numerous criminal charges were discussed during the debate Wednesday.
The candidates were asked whether they would support Trump as the Republican nominee if he is convicted.
Six of the eight candidates — Florida Gov. Rob DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum — raised their hands.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson did not.
We need to stop normalizing Donald Trump’s conduct. It’s beneath the office of the Presidency.
Boo all you want, I’m not going to stop telling the truth. pic.twitter.com/VGinbGuiqT
— Chris Christie (@GovChristie) August 24, 2023
Christie was booed by the Milwaukee audience when he explained his stance.
That would be me. I had better things to do tha watch a bunch of RINO “also fans”.
I watched Tucker !
Fuck Fox News and their drunken Lindsey Graham too !
FJB
TRUMP 2024
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The debate was informative. Trump running counter programming is understandable but unfortunate. A comment made is that 70% of people would rather Trump and Biden were not the choices.
I watched the interview with Tucker. I picked up the debate on reruns, but after they locked Trump Jr, Matt Gaetz, and MTG out of the spin room, I’m sorry I even watched that! Fox can kiss Joe Biden’s butt.
i had to work so was spared from all the drama BUT would not have watched the debate. The candidates were best left to fight among themselves. Those who watched got to see The worst and best possible candidate. It also eliminated a few losers. This showed USA how many feel about Pence and Christi. If president were there this would have been a debate amongst them selves or should say an argumentative evening. Nothing would have been learned about the candidates, their ideas and plans. Honestly we know what president Trump’s plans are, saw what he has done and can do. Here is the bottom line. Not one of them ever discussed or admitted there was voter fraud that stole the election. So not addressing it and making this a priority to end it menas another 2020 election and not one of these people would need to run as they would never get elected due to fraud.