The Daily A Fiery First Republican Debate — Without Trump
45 snips
Aug 24, 2023 
Maggie Haberman, Senior Political Correspondent for The New York Times, dissects the first Republican debate of the 2024 cycle, prominently featuring candidates vying for attention in Donald Trump's absence. She illuminates how Trump's non-participation shifted focus to rising star Vivek Ramaswamy amid a backdrop of rival critiques. The conversation navigates the tense dynamics within the party as candidates grapple with their allegiance to Trump, revealing the challenges and tensions in this evolving political landscape.
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Trump Skips Debate
- Trump refused to attend the first Republican debate.
- He opted for a counter-programming interview with Tucker Carlson.
The Trump Dilemma
- Other candidates faced a dilemma: attack Trump or each other.
- Focusing on Trump acknowledged his dominance; ignoring him felt disingenuous.
Ramaswamy as Trump Stand-in
- Ramaswamy became a target due to rising poll numbers and alignment with Trump.
- Attacking Ramaswamy served as a proxy for attacking Trump.