OPINION:
The guy in Michigan was more interesting than the gang in California.
For the second month in a row, former President Donald Trump seems to be the real winner of the Republican debates. Without attending, he got more positive attention speaking to workers at an auto supply factory in the Midwest than the other Republican candidates did on stage at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley.
One or more of the candidates needed a breakout moment in the second debate that could generate interest from primary voters who lean toward supporting the 45th president of the United States in 2024. None of them delivered that kind of performance on Wednesday night.
Eight years ago, I got out of the race after the second debate at the Reagan library. It was clear that the media were focused on one person: Donald Trump.
My instincts were right eight years ago, and they appear to be even more so now. While the other candidates still have a chance, many are clearly on life support. Mr. Trump dominates media coverage, and none of the other candidates has done enough to sufficiently convince his supporters to shift their loyalty away from him.
Winning against then-candidate Donald Trump was tough enough when I ran for president. Now, he has a track record of accomplishment from his four years in office. Those who don’t care for his style knew what they were getting in 2016, and that certainly hasn’t changed going into 2024.
What is different is that primary voters see someone who largely kept his commitments to the American people.
At a time when voters too often feel let down by politicians in both parties, Mr. Trump has the rare reputation for doing what he said he would do once in office. Getting voters to change their minds about him at this point is difficult for any candidate.
Having said that, I believe several other candidates might make an excellent president if elected. Ron DeSantis has an impressive record as the governor of Florida.
Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley can combine her solid experience in foreign policy with her time as governor of South Carolina.
If you liked the policies but not the chaos, former Vice President Mike Pence can make a credible claim as your candidate.
If you want to pass the torch to an articulate and youthful voice, Vivek Ramaswamy is worth a look.
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina was much more active at this debate and was impressive talking about education and race.
In my mind, there was no clear winner. Sure, the polls might move a point or two for one or more of the candidates, but they are just shifting among themselves.
Time and money are slipping away from the other Republican candidates. Earlier this week, we learned that Mr. DeSantis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom are set to debate each other on Nov. 30. Sean Hannity will moderate the 90-minute session during his time slot on Fox News.
In the spring of 1967, then-California Gov. Ronald Reagan and then-Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, New York Democrat, participated in a debate on the Vietnam War broadcast by CBS. A DeSantis-Newsom debate could potentially generate a similar level of attention.
Which is why I can’t help but ask, why wait until Nov. 30?
In my opinion, they should have had the debate on Aug. 30. Now, I’d be pushing for sometime soon. The end of November will be too late. Time and money are slipping away. I would be demanding to debate anywhere and at any time
Instead, the DeSantis campaign is acting like that of a front-runner with everything to lose and nothing to gain. His advisers need to engage in some guerrilla warfare, or they’ll be out of a job before the end of the year.
The Republican National Committee also needs to change the debate format. Every candidate should get two minutes to answer a question with no rebuttals. They should each get a chance to answer the same question, with the order rotating each time.
We don’t want a shouting match; we want to hear their ideas. There should be no moderators with views contrary to the Republican platform.
Also, we should never again hear a question about voting candidates “off the island.” That was an unnecessary stunt. We should demand better from these debates.
The Republican primary cycle for president of the United States is over, or close to it. Every candidate not named Donald Trump needs to wake up and realize that being good on the debate stage is not good enough. They must look the voters in the eye and give them a compelling reason to change their vote. If they can’t, they’re just wasting their time, and ours.
• Scott Walker is president of Young America’s Foundation and served as the 45th governor of Wisconsin.
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