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.
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