In a world rife with digital noise, two Republican presidential debates have already played out before our eyes.
Yet, echoing a relentless cycle of déjà vu, a third is on the docket for Nov. 8.
One must ask: How many renditions of rehearsed lines and orchestrated confrontations must GOP voters endure?
The clock is ticking, and it’s urgent we hit pause on this repetitious, and arguably detrimental, spectacle.
Enough is enough.
For one, these debates haven’t shifted the spotlight from former President Donald Trump, as much as the debate’s organizers might have hoped to.
In fact, the candidates who show up seem to be playing in Trump’s shadow, arguably constituting one of the most tepid Republican primary fields in recent memory.
A post-debate Messenger/Harris poll revealed that over a quarter of respondents felt more inclined to vote for Trump after the second debate, despite his absence from the event.
If this data isn't telling enough, the RealClearPolitics average attests to Trump’s soaring dominance, showcasing a staggering 45-point lead over the rest of the GOP contenders.
Like it or not, Trump is still very much in the driver’s seat, and these debates have only helped his candidacy.
Compounding this issue is the overcrowded stage, which further muddies the waters.
Out of the seven candidates who stepped up to the podium during the last debate, a mere trio, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., former Gov. Nikki Haley, R-S.C., and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, can be realistically envisaged as potential nominees —and even for them, the odds appear long.
The remaining quartet?
Their chances of seizing the nomination are virtually non-existent.
Whether they realize this or are simply playing for time, their presence on the debate stage isn’t amplifying their voices or enhancing their prospects.
Instead, it’s diluting the discourse, diverting valuable time and focus from the genuine contenders.
The result? Instead of a substantive discussion from those who might lead, we’re served a cacophony from a septet, with over half merely spinning their wheels.
The performance of the debate’s moderators also left much to be desired.
Fox News’ Stuart Varney and Dana Perino, alongside Univision’s Ilia Calderon, struggled to maintain order as the evening progressed.
The same could be said for the moderators of the first debate.
Their attempts to control the narrative often went astray, as candidates consistently talked over one another, drowning out the moderators themselves on several occasions.
The incessant bickering and lack of substance doesn’t just tarnish the image of the party; it’s a major disservice to voters.
As the GOP tries to position itself for the future, these debates should be a platform to showcase a roadmap for America, not a playground for personal grievances.
Additionally, in an era where every moment is magnified, analyzed and meme-ified on social media, these debates become a double-edged sword.
A consistent pattern of chaos can cement a perception of the GOP as a party that is disunited and more invested in internal squabbles than in leading a nation.
The party, while aiming to present itself as the best choice for America’s future, might inadvertently be conveying the opposite.
If the GOP hopes to retain or grow its base, reshape its image, and present a unified front, it would do well to introspect the image it projects during these debates.
After all, perception often shapes reality.
Debates should be the crown jewels of our Republic — a "gladiatorial" arena where we discern the mettle of candidates, test their grace under fire and appraise their mastery over topics.
But the latest GOP charades are more like schoolyard squabbles.
If the GOP has any aspirations of these debates being worth more than a spectacle for mockery, a complete overhaul is necessary.
Maybe trim the stage to fewer candidates and have just one moderator?
Or here’s a novel idea, in-depth interviews with the top four — where the focus remains squarely on policy and vision.
The nation doesn’t just want a show — it demands a meaningful contest of visions.
Time for the GOP to step up and deliver.
Or, at the very least, turn down the volume on the chaos.
Jacob Lane is a Republican strategist and school choice activist. He has worked for GOP campaigns at the federal, state and local levels, as well as with various PACs and nonprofits. Read Jacob Lane's Reports — More Here.
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