By Ray Cardello for May 23, 2023, Season 19 / Post 38

The Presidential season is upon us. Sometimes it feels like we are always in election mode, but the official season is here, and the first Republican Primary Debate is just three months away. The RNC is planning 10-12 debates, which may be one for every candidate, as the field is snowballing. The number of Republican candidates who have filed papers and are officially in the race is four, with Trump, Haley, Ramaswamy, and Hutchinson. The field will be six by week’s end, as Tim Scott and Ron DeSantis have filed papers and expect to announce this week. Seven others supposedly weigh their options to round out the Baker’s Dozen. Is “the more the merrier” a good thing for the GOP in 2024? I fear not.

The number of candidates shows the Party’s strength and depth, which the Democrats cannot match. That is the positive side of the equation. Unfortunately, I think there are far too many negatives. First, this election will require the focused support of whoever wins the nomination. With as many as thirteen candidates, the Party will probably be fractured, especially after a dozen debates. Trump has already indicated he will pass on the first two debates, and FOX News will host the first. We need Trump at every opportunity to spread our message for the future.

The way the mainstream media ignores certain issues, like the Durham Report or the Hunter Biden Money Laundering scheme, we need the key candidates, especially Trump, to tell their stories. The debates are the only manner we on the Right will have to level the playing field, and it must be -“all hands on deck,” including Trump. The debates will be the only chance to negate Democrat gaslighting because the networks will be forced to cover the Primetime Debates.

We cannot get into mud-slinging events similar to how the Democrats performed in 2019 and 2020. To go down this path will be to concede the election, and we need this opportunity to regain control of the West Wing.

Biden has already pledged not to debate any Democrat challengers, and the DNC has agreed by not scheduling primary debates. This disregard for the importance of the Primary process is a disservice to all voters and an insult to the two current candidates and any others who enter the race. Robert Kennedy Jr and Marianne Williamson combined for over 20% of the vote in recent polls and deserve to have their positions and policies heard. The Party and DNC are committed to protecting Biden as much as practical and possible. Hiding Biden in his Delaware basement worked in 2020, and they apparently look to reuse the tactic. COVID gave them an excuse in 2020. 2024 gives them no such justification to muzzle the President.

Living in New Hampshire, with its First in the Nation status, gives us a unique extended look at all candidates. But, it has become a 24/7 game every year, election year or not. We would all be better served if politicians put more effort into effective governing than perpetual campaigning, fundraising, and hobnobbing with big-money donors.