- The Washington Times - Monday, October 16, 2023

The Republican National Committee has made a historic partnership with the Republican Jewish Coalition to sponsor the third debate of the 2024 GOP presidential race.

The RJC is the first Jewish organization to co-sponsor a national presidential debate. The group joins NBC News, Salem Radio Network and Rumble as sponsors of the Nov. 8 debate in Miami, the RNC announced Monday.

“As the horrific events of the last week have unfolded in Israel, the issue of American foreign policy has taken on an even greater role. American strength and American resolve — and our candidates’ vision for America’s role in the world — are more important than ever,” former Sen. Norm Coleman of Minnesota, the RJC chairman, said in a statement.

RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said that the choice of partners “will offer our candidates an excellent opportunity to meet the moment and contrast their plans and vision with the failures of the Biden White House.”

Former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley have qualified for the debate.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Vice President Mike Pence have met the polling requirements.

They have not hit the donor requirements. Sen. Tim Scott has not crossed either threshold.

To qualify, candidates must hit at least 4% in two national polls or 4% in a national poll and two different early state polls. They also need to have at least 70,000 unique donors, including at least 200 from 20 or more states.

Mr. Trump has not participated in the past two debates and his campaign has already announced he will not be on stage in Miami either.

Trump campaign senior advisors Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita earlier this month called for the RNC to cancel the third debate and end all future debates.

“The Republican National Committee should immediately cancel the upcoming debate in Miami and end all future debates in order to refocus its manpower and money on preventing Democrats’ efforts to steal the 2024 election,” they said in a statement. “Anything less, along with other reasons not to cancel, are an admission to the grassroots that their concerns about voter integrity are not taken seriously and national Republicans are more concerned about helping Joe Biden than ensuring a safe and secure election.”

• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.

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