The first GOP debate is happening with 8 candidates, but Trump won't be participating. Do debates even matter anymore? New apartment construction on the West Coast is declining, affecting housing. College football ticket sales are skyrocketing.
The absence of former President Trump from the Republican primary debates has shifted media attention and created a critical opportunity for other candidates to gain support and recruit Trump's followers.
Apartment construction on the West Coast is declining due to high costs, including increased material and labor costs, as well as expensive land prices, posing challenges for affordability and the housing crisis in these cities.
Deep dives
Importance of Republican Primary Debates
The significance of the Republican primary debates in determining the eventual nominee is uncertain, particularly with former President Trump's absence. Trump's strategic move to focus on other activities, such as an interview with Tucker Carlson and surrendering to authorities in Georgia, has overshadowed the debate and diverted media attention. While viewership may be limited to primarily interested Republicans watching on Fox News, the absence of Trump becomes a critical opportunity for other candidates like Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence, and Nikki Haley to gain support and recruit Trump's devoted followers.
Decline in West Coast Apartment Construction
While national apartment construction has surged, the West Coast is experiencing a decline. In the largest cities on the West Coast, apartment construction is significantly behind the pace of the last decade, with around 20,000 fewer units built in the first half of this year. The high cost of construction, including increased material and labor costs, coupled with expensive land prices, has deterred developers from building apartments. This decline poses challenges for affordability and the housing crisis in these cities.
Increase in College Football Ticket Sales
College football has seen a surge in ticket sales, with StubHub reporting a national increase of over 50%. In particular, the hiring of coach Dion Sanders for the Colorado Buffaloes has led to a remarkable 1,668% increase in ticket sales for their games. This surge in sales is part of the overall trend of increased demand for live events as people seek entertainment and experiences after a long period of limited social activities due to the pandemic.
The first Republican presidential primary debate is Wednesday night in Milwaukee. Fox News is moderating the event and eight candidates will hit the stage at 9 p.m. ET. But, former president Trump isn't one of them.
The big picture: Trump said on his Truth Social on Sunday he will "not be doing the debates." Which begs the question – do debates even matter anymore? We take a deeper look at the answer to that question.
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