Former Vice President Mike Pence has publicly criticized Donald Trump for opting out of the second GOP primary debate in the 2024 presidential race, describing it as a “missed opportunity” by the former president.
What Happened: Pence, during an interview on CBS News, expressed his disappointment at Trump’s decision. “I think it's a missed opportunity for Donald Trump, and I think it's a missed opportunity for Republican voters,” he said.
Both Pence and Trump are vying for the GOP nomination in 2024.
Pence underscored that the candidates owe it to the American public to articulate their plans for the nation.
The former president has justified skipping the debate in the past citing a strong lead and accusing Fox News Channel of bias. This isn’t the first instance of him skipping a debate.
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In the interview, Pence insisted that the debate would have been a key platform for Trump to outline a conservative agenda to voters. He pointed to Trump’s recent opposition to the six-week abortion ban in Florida as evidence of Trump’s unclear conservative stance.
"Look, this country is in a lot of trouble. Joe Biden has weakened America at home and abroad, and I think the former president – just like all the rest of us vying for the Republican nomination – owe it to the American people to express what our agenda will be for turning this country around," Pence added.
Why It Matters: Trump’s decision to bypass the second GOP debate comes despite his lead in election polls. Instead of attending the second GOP debate, the former president has chosen to address autoworkers in Detroit during a time of strikes against Ford Motor, General Motors, and Stellantis NV plants.
Trump’s decision to skip the debate and address autoworkers could be a strategic move to connect with working-class voters. However, this has led to criticism from Pence, who believes that Trump’s absence from the debate stage is a missed opportunity to define a clear conservative agenda.
The Republican National Committee has confirmed that the third GOP primary debate will happen in Miami, offering Trump another chance to engage directly with voters and rivals.
Photo by Gino Santa Maria on Shutterstock
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