McDaniel open to debating challengers before RNC, won't commit to public forum

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said on Friday that she was open to debating challengers Mike Lindell and Harmeet Dhillon in front of the RNC's 168 voting members, but would not commit to doing so before the public.

Appearing on the Real America's Voice Network program "War Room," McDaniel fielded the question from host Steve Bannon.

"Would you be open to having Harmeet [Dhillon] and Mike Lindell, the two people that have thrown their hat in the ring, to do a Q&A, to do it like a debate and to defend your record?" Bannon asked.

"I'm always happy to talk to the 168," was McDaniel's reply, which prompted Bannon to seek clarification as to whether she would debate her opponents in a more public venue.

McDaniel declined to commit to such an event, saying "I'm interesting in doing things in front of the 168. That's what I'm interested in doing."

The RNC chairwoman has faced mounting calls for her to step aside after the GOP underperformed polling expectations of a "red wave" in the November midterm elections.