- Gov. Ron DeSantis says there will be no more debates before November
- DeSantis agreed to an ABC News and CNN debate in New Hampshire before the nation’s first primary on January 23
- Both Nikki Haley and Donald Trump refused to participate in the debates
Ron DeSantis said he doesn’t think there will be a single debate between now and November’s presidential election — whether between the candidates for the primary or the general election.
It comes after both CNN and ABC News had to cancel their respective debates in New Hampshire the week before the nation’s first primary on Tuesday, January 23. Florida Governor DeSantis was the only candidate who agreed to participate.
Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley said this week that she would not participate in the New Hampshire debate, saying her next appearance will be with Republican front-runner Donald Trump or President Joe Biden.
With the candidates still in the race, DeSantis predicted there will be no more debates after the one-on-one he had with Haley in Iowa five days before the Jan. 15 caucuses.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis predicted there will be no more debates in the 2024 cycle before November’s presidential election
Comes as former President Donald Trump (left) and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley (right) refused to debate at two planned events in New Hampshire, which ABC News and CNN had to cancel at the last minute
“This is the first first in the country where no debate took place in New Hampshire. I raised my hand. I was ready for it last night, and CNN was going to do one on Sunday,” DeSantis said Friday evening during a town hall in Dover, New Hampshire. “I agreed to do both, but neither Trump nor Haley would do it.”
“I think it’s because, you know, when you get there, your record becomes an issue. I am proud of my record. I am proud of my vision for the country. I’m going to go out and defend it,” he said of speculation about why the other Republican candidates wouldn’t take the stage with him.
DeSantis returns to South Carolina this weekend for campaign stops on Saturday and Sunday. This has led to widespread criticism of those who say he is ignoring the New Hampshire primary.
Haley rose in recent months, coming within single digits of Trump in the New Hampshire polls — and one survey this month placed them at a dead heat of 40 percent each.
Some believe DeSantis has already given up on winning New Hampshire after a second-place finish in Iowa, and is instead focusing his efforts on South Carolina in attempts to come out with a win.
DeSantis emphasized during Friday’s meeting that this is not true.
“We’re in danger, I mean, think about it – no WMUR debate. No debate period in New Hampshire,” DeSantis said. “And I don’t think there will be a single presidential debate between now and the November elections. I don’t think that will be the case.’
DeSantis blasted Trump and Haley for refusing to debate in New Hampshire — noting that he had agreed to the debates and was prepared to take the stage in the nation’s first state. Pictured: Governor DeSantis speaks to voters in Dover, New Hampshire, on Friday
‘Trump will never debate in the primaries, that much is certain. Haley will now no longer debate in the primaries,” the Republican governor continued. “Biden, I don’t think Biden would debate me in the fall. I don’t know about Trump-Biden, but probably not.”
“People aren’t answering voters’ questions the way they should anymore,” DeSantis complained.
He has repeatedly blasted Haley for refusing to take audience questions at most of her rallies and for not keeping the press available during campaign stops, as he often does.
DeSantis reiterated the importance of voters coming out to hear candidates and having the opportunity to ask their question directly — claiming that debates are among the best media to hear unfiltered comments from those running to win the country to lead.
“What it ends up being is like the candidates are being picked by the media because it’s all about the media coverage. Why would you want to give them more power? Because that’s why I think these debates are important, because it gives you an opportunity to speak directly to voters without having a filter,” DeSantis said.