Ramaswamy campaign calls on RNC to trim debate roster

The next debate is scheduled for Nov. 8 in Miami, Fla.

By Ben Whedon

Published: October 2, 2023 3:19pm

Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign has called on the Republican National Committee (RNC) to raise the requirements for GOP hopefuls to attend the next primary debate, citing the "chaos" of the prior debates and the need to account for the likely absence of former President Donald Trump.

At present, candidates must reach 4% support in two national polls or a combination of one national poll and two separate state polls. They must additionally clear a 70,000 donor threshold and receive at least 200 contributions from at least 20 states. The next debate is scheduled for Nov. 8 in Miami, Fla.

Writing to the party's governing body, campaign CEO Ben Yoho suggested limiting the stage to the top four candidates, excluding Trump, and to raise the donor requirements. At present, such a field would include Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Ramaswamy, and former Vice President Mike Pence, who poll in second through fifth, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average.

"[A]gainst the backdrop of a chaotic second debate and the reality of a frontrunner who has declined to participate, we respectfully call on the RNC to revise its approach so that Republican voters can focus on serious candidates who have a viable path to beating Joe Biden—or whomever the Democrats put up to replace him," Yoho wrote, according to The Hill.

"Time is running out. Early-state voting is rapidly approaching in January. Another unhelpful debate in November is not an option: voters deserve a real choice for who will best serve as our party’s nominee," he added. "Voters are not well-served when a cacophony of candidates with minimal chance of success talk over each other from the edge of the stage, while the overwhelming frontrunner is absent from the center of that same stage."

The Ramaswamy camp has further requested the RNC move to a single moderator and permit candidates more time for rebuttal.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.