Election 2024: Rise of DeSantis or Return of the Trump?

[Zealot]

As I recall he's forbidden from outright denying reality anymore so let's see how long he lasts.

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[Gredival]

As I recall he's forbidden from outright denying reality anymore so let's see how long he lasts.

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[archibaldcrane]

There's going to be so many participants in the first GOP debate lol

https://twitter.com/akarl_smith/stat...4KsnoVP4Q&s=19

[Krandor]

The loyalty pledge is amusing.

[Gredival]

They just don't want Trump to be a sore loser and make an independent run, although I can't imagine he flubs this. It took a lot to get him to pledge to support the eventual winner last time.

[Byrthnoth]

Going to be funny AF when they all take a loyalty pledge and Trump doesn't show for the debate (or pledge).

[Gredival]

I don't know if he will skip. I feel like Trump doesn't prepare for debates anyway since he knows his voters don't give a shit about policy, but he loves the spotlight and a chance to just lay into people, so he'll go anyway. Not like he gives a crap about breaking the pledge (if it mattered). The only thing that matters would be states with sore loser laws.

[Byrthnoth]

Oh, there is no way he loses the nomination if he is still alive for the primary voting. The question is just how hard he will debase these 1% "running to be Trump's VP, despite the fact that he tried to get his last VP killed" losers (inc. Mike Pence) on the way to winning the nomination.

[NynJa]

"Tried to get the VP killed"
"make him a martyr to stop the steal of the election"
"to-may-to"
"to-mah-to"

[Tyrath]

I don't know if he will skip. I feel like Trump doesn't prepare for debates anyway since he knows his voters don't give a shit about policy, but he loves the spotlight and a chance to just lay into people, so he'll go anyway. Not like he gives a crap about breaking the pledge (if it mattered). The only thing that matters would be states with sore loser laws.

Right. Why does anyone think Trump would ever honor a pledge like that? lol

Not that he will lose the nomination.

[Gredival]

"Why did you break your promise to support the winner"

"First off, I won. I have to have won because I'm a winner and winners don't lose. But that's what smart businessmen do. We don't lose. Why would I not run and lose when I can run and win. Fake news."

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[Yabby]

Truthfully i don't see him bothering with a debate considering his hold on the party. He would get more views by doing a live stream and talking shit during the debate instead.

[Byrthnoth]

It makes no strategic sense for him to do the debate. If it is only the other candidates, no one will watch. Being on the stage with them legitimizes them, increases the number of people who will see them, and gives them the opportunity to take shots at him.

However, Trump doesn't run on logic and loves to be on TV.

[Eurell]

Nothing Trump ever did seemed like a smart move strategically. That line of thought just doesn't work for people that would ever vote for donald fucking trump. Going to the debates puts him on tv, and keeps people talking about him. Thats all he cares about, and that counts as a win for his supporters.

[Jaybar]

Shrödinger's Candidate.

[6souls]

Christie to announce his campaign tonight at a town hall meeting in Manchester, NH.

[6souls]

https://twitter.com/CornelWest/statu...877010432?s=20

[Tyche]

The only way I can think of the GOP or his advisors telling him not to debate is if they feel that the debate would invite more of the democratic base to vote against him than it would republicans vote for him. Otherwise, nothing he says during the debate matters. He's not trying to convert voters, he's trying to rally existing supporters. Being on TV does that. He can also continue to pump up Truth social. It's a win for everyone if he's on TV. More exposure. More anger. More money.

[Yabby]

The only way I can think of the GOP or his advisors telling him not to debate is if they feel that the debate would invite more of the democratic base to vote against him than it would republicans vote for him. Otherwise, nothing he says during the debate matters. He's not trying to convert voters, he's trying to rally existing supporters. Being on TV does that. He can also continue to pump up Truth social. It's a win for everyone if he's on TV. More exposure. More anger. More money.

This is why i said it would be a good (And frankly funny as fuck) move to live stream the debate with him Twitch style. Could you imagine how many people would watch that over the debate itself? And he would be the star without anyone to talk directly to him or call him out. I really can't believe he hasn't done something like this already.

[Tymon]

I feel like I know why. Trump ranting at rallies and town halls and whatever is plenty popular but it's not even close to the level of viral as Trump going at a direct opposition in a debate. Trump was literally a nothing level non serious candidate until he started obliterating GOP candidates in the 2015 debates. Ask Jeb how that worked out.

Trump is absolutely at his best and in his element when he's cutting people off and insulting them on live TV. Basically been the case for like 50 years. Nothing will come close to as much publicity as that, sans a DOJ conviction. And that would be the opposite effect.