Debate Expert, Public Relations Strategist Set Expectations for 2nd GOP Presidential Debate

With the exception of former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Republican presidential candidates (3rd L-R) former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and North Dakota governor Doug Burgum raise their hands to say they would support Donald Trump as the party's presidential nominee during the first debate of the GOP primary season hosted by FOX News at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis., on Aug. 23, 2023. Win McNamee/Getty Images

As seven Republican candidates make final preparations for their second 2024 presidential debate, a debate expert and a public relations consultant see an opportunity for former President Donald Trump to play to a key constituency by skipping the event—as well as a narrowing window for the other candidates to change the direction of the race.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum are set to appear at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, on Wednesday for the second 2024 Republican presidential debate. Meanwhile, President Trump is set to again skip the debate, and instead to travel to Detroit, Michigan, to meet with striking United Auto Worker (UAW) union members.

Trump’s Counterprogramming Play

Appearing in an interview with NTD News’ “Capitol Report,” public relations consultant Libby Krieger credited President Trump with a “very smart counterprogramming” play for deciding to skip the second debate to instead meet with striking auto workers.