ABC News has canceled the upcoming Republican presidential debate on Tuesday following Nikki Haley’s announcement that she would not participate unless former President Donald Trump joined. This decision left Gov. Ron DeSantis as the sole candidate committed to Thursday’s event in New Hampshire.
In a statement released while campaigning in New Hampshire, Haley expressed disappointment in Trump missing prior debates debates, stating, “Unfortunately, Donald Trump has ducked all of them. He has nowhere left to hide. The next debate I do will either be with Donald Trump or with Joe Biden. I look forward to it.”
This decision followed the crucial Iowa caucuses, where Trump secured a significant victory over Haley and DeSantis. Despite a heated competition for second place between Haley and DeSantis in Iowa, Haley aimed to shift the electoral focus more towards Trump — emphasizing a departure from the perceived “chaos” accompanying the GOP front-runner.
The last debate might also have influenced the cancellation, featuring only Haley and DeSantis, where Haley underperformed, leading to DeSantis surpassing her for second place in Iowa.
Haley had asserted to caucusgoers that choosing her offered Republicans a better chance against Biden in November. She cited survey data indicating her leading position among the GOP field in a hypothetical general election matchup.
ABC News spokesperson Van Scott commented, “Our intent was to host a debate coming out of the Iowa caucuses, but we always knew that would be contingent on the candidates and the outcome of the race.”
Haley’s decision raises doubts about another New Hampshire debate on Sunday on CNN.
DeSantis accused Haley of avoiding tough questions and referred to her as “running to be Trump’s VP,” expressing anticipation for debating “two empty podiums in the Granite State this week.”
Trump’s spokesman, Steven Cheung, labeled Haley a “desperate globalist” and criticized her positions, attracting support only from Democrats interfering in the Republican primary.
The most recent GOP debate in Iowa saw Haley engaging in a two-hour brawl with DeSantis, potentially diminishing her above-the-fray campaign image. Some supporters felt her repeated references to a campaign-run website seemed repetitive and involved off-putting “name calling.”
As the GOP campaign transitions to New Hampshire, Haley projects confidence in her commitment to the state and surveys showing support, aiming to gain some momentum against Trump. DeSantis, breaking tradition, flew to Haley’s home state of South Carolina, signaling fierce competition in the upcoming primary.
