RNC Drops Participation In GOP Presidential Debates

Politico reports:

The Republican National Committee is pausing its participation in 2024 GOP primary debates, the organization decided Friday. The RNC’s decision, made by a 16-member internal body, means that any forthcoming debates will be hosted by networks independently of the committee.

Two outlets — ABC and CNN — have announced plans to host future debates in Iowa and New Hampshire ahead of early state voting. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis already said he will attend CNN’s planned Iowa debate before next month’s caucuses and ABC’s planned New Hampshire debate.

The first of the committee’s four Republican primary debates was televised on Fox News in August. Since the first event, the committee has raised the thresholds for fundraising and polling that candidates need to qualify.

Read the full article. Last month the RNC warned that participating in debates not sanctioned by them would disqualify candidates from participating in future debates. So much for that.

it’s official. the RNC is done with debateshttps://t.co/nrh6KrccJ9

via @politicoalex

— Sam Stein (@samstein) December 8, 2023