Milwaukee gears up for 2024 GOP debate.

Milwaukee Prepares for ⁢the Spotlight

Like the candidates, the city of Milwaukee is gearing‌ up for its moment in the spotlight ⁢on Wednesday. The first GOP debate will take⁤ place at the‌ 18,000-seat Fiserv Forum, home of the 2021 NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks. This highly anticipated event will feature eight⁢ candidates vying to⁤ be crowned champions in ​their own right. However, it’s worth noting that former President Donald Trump, the front-runner, has chosen to skip the proceedings.

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The excitement is palpable as roads around the arena⁣ are already being ‍blocked off in anticipation of the debate. ‌This debate marks the first of the 2024 presidential⁣ election cycle and the first since⁤ the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, which has shifted the focus of abortion⁣ policy back⁢ to the states.

The eight candidates ⁢who have met the requirements and plan to attend include ​Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND), ‌former New Jersey​ Gov. Chris ⁢Christie, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), former U.N. Ambassador Nikki ‍Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former Vice President Mike⁣ Pence, ‌entrepreneur⁢ Vivek Ramaswamy, and Sen. Tim ⁤Scott (R-SC). They will undoubtedly strive to distinguish themselves from the pack through strong performances, with abortion policy​ likely to be one ‌of⁢ the key topics raised by the moderators.

Trump currently holds‍ a⁤ significant lead in the polls, with over 41 points⁤ separating ‌him from second-place DeSantis. Even in​ his absence, Trump’s ‌presence is felt in ⁢Milwaukee as⁢ groups of supporters roam around ⁣Fiserv Forum, proudly displaying ‍Trump ⁣signs‌ in anticipation of the debate.

“No, ⁢ [I’m not disappointed he won’t be here],” one supporter said. “We’re just here‍ to support Trump. We love Donald Trump.”

Wisconsin has emerged as a crucial swing⁤ state in recent elections, although the ⁤city of Milwaukee remains a stronghold for the Democratic ‍Party. ⁢In 2020, President Joe Biden ‍secured 69% of the votes in ‌Milwaukee County, compared to Trump’s 29%.

At Veterans Park, a popular gathering spot with a marina located on the shore of ⁤Lake Michigan, the Democratic lean ​is⁣ evident.⁢ One woman, who identified herself ⁤as not being ⁣a Republican, expressed curiosity about the debate but stated that she would not be voting ‍for any of the ‌candidates.

“We’ll see how these different candidates do, but ⁢I’m not a Republican,” she said. “I’m curious, but I‌ won’t⁢ be voting for any of them.”

While some individuals at Veterans Park mentioned that they had no ⁤plans to watch the debate or were glad ‍that Trump would not be present, most acknowledged the attention ⁣and economic boost the debate would bring to the city.

“Having lived in Milwaukee for over 40 years, it’s a great city, ‌and to show‍ it off, whether it’s ‌the Republican Party or⁣ the Democratic Party, I think it’s a⁢ good thing,” said one Milwaukee resident. Instead‌ of watching ​the debate, they planned⁣ to enjoy pizza and play Yahtzee with friends.

Another man,​ sitting on a picnic bench by the waterfront, expressed interest in what the candidates had to say but predicted that Trump would not win the general election if he became ⁢the GOP nominee.

“If [the other candidates] don’t go against him, they ⁣won’t ever break his ⁢approval rating down at ‍all,” he said, praising Christie’s anti-Trump stance. “Trump is most likely going ⁢to be the nominee, the way I see it. But that’s ‍OK. He ain’t going to ​win the presidency ever again.”

Click ​here to ​read more from ​The‍ Washington Examiner.

While Trump is counterprogramming​ the debate ‍with ⁢a prerecorded interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, the Democratic National Committee ⁤is also ⁢making efforts to‍ divert attention from the candidates on stage.⁢ They⁢ hosted ⁤a​ reception at a Milwaukee hotel ​on Tuesday ‍night and will hold ‌a press conference early Wednesday afternoon, just before the debate begins.