By James Oliphant
MIAMI (Reuters) – The Republican debate on Wednesday is set to be a showdown between potential 2024 presidential candidates and , as they seek to position themselves as the top contenders for the Republican Party, vying to challenge former President .
Haley, 51, is gaining ground on DeSantis, 45, in the race for the presidential nomination. The debate is taking place in Miami, beginning at 8 p.m. ET (0100 GMT on Thursday).
With the Iowa Republican state nominating contest just over two months away, time is running out for both Haley and DeSantis to solidify their positions. Trump, 77, remains a looming figure in the background, making it essential for them to find a way to distinguish themselves from the former president.
This will be the third debate that Trump has chosen to skip, confident in his continued lead in the opinion polls. However, his absence does not diminish his influence on the race, as his support among Republicans remains strong.
While Haley, DeSantis, and the other candidates have been cautious in their approach to critiquing Trump, experts believe that it is critical for them to challenge Trump in order to make an impact.
A campaign rally by Trump in the city of Hialeah, near Miami, coincides with the debate, highlighting the importance of reaching out to the Hispanic voting demographic.
DeSantis will benefit from the Florida debate setting, allowing him to showcase his achievements as governor. Meanwhile, Haley, who served as Trump’s U.N. ambassador, has been gaining momentum in early nominating states and is seen as a formidable challenger.
However, despite strong performances in past debates, it remains uncertain whether this event will significantly shift the dynamics of the race, which has been heavily influenced by Trump’s enduring popularity.
The other debate participants – former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, and U.S. Senator Tim Scott – will also be aiming to make their mark and garner support.
As the debate approaches, the candidates are poised to engage in a lively exchange, with the potential to impact the course of the 2024 presidential race.
(Reporting by James Oliphant in Miami; additional reporting by Gram Slatter; editing by Ross Colvin and Howard Goller)
