In the era of selectively edited sound bites, hearing directly from the candidates, via video clips, interviews, debates, forums, and public events is optimal. The media, whether left leaning or right leaning, have their biases and we can’t get around that. Sometimes, the only way to really hear from the candidates is to go around the media.

Some ways to do this are by meeting them in our communities, attending public forums or campaign events, and by engaging with their websites and social media accounts. Also, debates are a great format to hear from the candidates directly … if we will keep an open mind and listen.

The 2024 Primary Debates

The Democratic National Convention has said that they have “no plans” to sponsor primary debates for the 2024 presidential nomination. To them it looks like President Biden is a lock for the Democratic nomination again, though Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Marianne Williamson are two declared candidates making the rounds.

On the Republican side, two debates are currently on the schedule: August 23^rd in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and September 27^th at the Reagan Library in California.

With the Iowa caucuses set for January 15, 2024, the Republican Primary will be beginning at the earliest point it ever has during an election year. Though there is a long way to go in the campaign world, in reality, the candidates only have 18 weeks from the time of this first Republican debate before people will begin casting votes.

To qualify for the first debate on August 23^rd, 8 p.m. central, candidates need to satisfy polling and donor requirements set by the Republican National Committee: at least 1% in three high-quality national polls or a mix of national and early-state polls and a minimum of 40,000 donors, with 200 in 20 or more states.

The Matter of Donald Trump

With former President Donald Trump being the front runner on name ID (how many people know his name), national polling (he leads between 30 to 40 points in most national polls), and funding, it appears that he believes that he doesn’t have to participate and can instead do his own thing. Reportedly, a pre-recorded interview with Tucker Carlson. His joint fundraising committee took in $54 million in the first half of 2023 and even with him diverting 10% of his funds to legal fees, with some of his opponents calling him out for that, he still is head and shoulders above everyone else.

Even with 4 indictments, 28% of all U.S. Senators, Representatives, and state Governors have endorsed him. The other opponents have only received 14 national endorsements combined. His biggest selling point for most Republicans is his record — everything he did for the country when he was in office. The question is — is President Trump the same leader that he was in 2016 and can he recruit high caliber people again to serve in his administration if elected?

Republicans are split on whether the former President should be the nominee again. As the New York Times’ recent poll found, 37% of the Republican base are not going to move off Trump, another 37% are open to all the candidates, and the last 25% are those who will vote for anyone else in the field but Trump.

One candidate, though, would have to build quick momentum and build a coalition with those two groups to overtake Trump, and with the field being so large and the electorate being so divided. Can it happen? Yes. Will it happen? I don’t know.

Who Will be on the Debate Stage on Wednesday?

Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida is the current leading alternative to former President Trump, and it would benefit those who do not want President Trump to be the nominee again to take a serious look at Governor DeSantis’ record and his ability to lead. He has posted double-digit poll numbers nationally across all the early states.

DeSantis really has a chance to have a good showing in Iowa with tons of workers, 21 staff, 125 canvassers going door to door, and 99 county chairs. 

The other leading contenders according to polling are Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who is currently polling in third in Iowa, fourth in his own home state of South Carolina, behind Trump, DeSantis, and his former Governor, Nikki Haley, and third or fourth in New Hampshire polls. For the record, Sen. Scott started the race with a $22 million dollar transfer from his campaign.

Vivek Ramaswamy, author of the book Woke, Inc., and Governor Doug Burgum of North Dakota have personally financed a large portion of their respective campaigns in order to get to the debate stage. Some of Vivek’s policy positions and stances are from a more libertarian perspective, with him highlighting his belief in the decriminalization of hard drugs and an isolationist foreign policy agenda. In contrast to GOP orthodoxy, he has also discussed cutting aid to Israel, recently stating that “Israel should not get more aid than its other Middle Eastern neighbors after 2028.”

Governor Burgum, on the other hand, is hoping that his story of passing a six-week ban on abortion in North Dakota in April, with no exceptions for rape or incest after that threshold, and criminalizing transgender surgeries on children will win him favor with social conservatives once he can get introduced to America.

The other more formidable candidates are former Vice President Mike Pence, former South Carolina Governor and U.N. Ambassador under Trump, Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and former New Jersey Governor  Chris Christie. These candidates are working diligently to distinguish themselves from the pack, and are hoping for a breakout moment.

Vice President Pence has leaned into his solid conservative roots on social and fiscal issues hoping to attract social conservatives and Republican voters who would like to return to the time when a Republican President like Ronald Reagan communicated with boldness and grace. He is building a strong team in Iowa, pushing the other candidates to take a stand on the issues — supporting a federal six-week ban on abortion, and defending his decision to certify the election on January 6, 2021.

Since her campaign announcement in February, Ambassador Haley has been working to make the case that she is “the right person for the job.” With her strong foreign policy credentials, her reputation of being bold in front of national leaders on behalf of our allies, and her administrative skills, she is a formidable candidate. Though strongly pro-life, she is shying away from a hard stand on abortion, not endorsing any federal ban and calling for a “constructive conversation” and a “national consensus” on the issue.

Among the GOP candidates, Governor Christie has staked out a position of being the most openly critical of former President Trump and has sought to antagonize him on social media and in interviews. From a policy perspective, Christie is more moderate on the issues than other GOP candidates, opposing a federal ban on abortion, and supporting government action on climate change.

Potentially the Mayor of Miami Francis Suarez might make the debate stage. His campaign says he qualifies, but the RNC hasn’t confirmed.

Other interesting Christian candidates are Larry Elder, conservative talk radio host who ran for Governor of California; Pastor Ryan Binkley of Create Church in Richardson; and Minister E.W. Jackson are still attempting to get on the debate stage and are praying for miracles as well as former Congressman Will Hurd of Texas.

Let’s just say that Wednesday, August 23^rd — the first night of the Republican Primary Debates — will be eventful.

Fun note: I have been gifted with a ticket and I am looking forward to witnessing the action firsthand at this event hosted by the RNC, Fox News, and Young America’s Foundation (led by Gov. Scott Walker).

How Should We Process the Primary as Christians?

As believers, we should be truth seekers and should keep an open heart and mind regarding the primaries. We must make choices first about what party most aligns with our biblical values. Neither party is perfect but they both have platforms that have been crafted by the activists in those parties that lay out their beliefs. Read the platforms  – The Democrats and The Republicans. I challenge you again to not just take at face value what the talking heads say, but to read the documents of what they believe, then make your choice.

In political terms, we are still a long way from Election Day in our states, and a campaign can turn on a dime. Let’s keep our eyes and ears open. Let’s be patient and allow the debates to unfold and let the candidates make their pitches to us.

There are important national issues being discussed in these primaries, and it is a very crucial process. The primaries are when we, the voters, can see the differences between party leadership and the electorate. This is the season of discussion when new ideas take root and sometimes those ideas create movements for change within the parties, our states and the nation.

I want to encourage every Christian to read, research, and LISTEN to the candidates. Watch the debates, read their own words, watch their videos and interviews, then pray, discern, and vote your conscience in the primaries.

Christians must show up for primaries. The primaries are where we decide who we want to represent a political party and it is such an important process for us to participate in. If we don’t participate and vote in primaries, then we have no right to complain when we have sub-par choices to choose from in the general election.

This is the season where we vote for who we think best represents our values and who we believe will best govern. We vote our conscience — not what the polling says, not who our favorite Christian minister wants, not what the pundits say, but we let our voices be heard on who WE want for President.

Season of Tension — but Let’s Watch our Hearts

We can’t skip this season of tension, but we must watch our hearts and our words while we go through it as believers.

Anger will flare through this primary season, words will be said from the candidates to each other, divisions will be formed between activists to some of their closest allies, people even within our local churches will take sides and have passionate opinions.  

Don’t let offenses, bitterness and unforgiveness enter your heart against someone because of a primary choice during this critical season. Keep your heart open, do research, get your facts straight, have the debates, but then remember (after you calm down!) that we are all on the same team. For those of us who claim the name of Christ, we are brothers and sisters first, then Americans — above parties, and then after the primary — whatever political party that we work within or vote in, we have to come together to get the right person across the finish line in the general election.

Let’s take an active role in the primary season, let’s watch the debates with open hearts, make our choices, but once the primary is done, let’s all come together and get back to work for the well being of America.

 

Bunni Pounds is president and founder of Christians Engaged — a ministry activating the Body of Christ to pray, vote, and engage regularly. Formerly a congressional candidate and 16-year political consultant, she is a motivational speaker and preacher of the gospel. Her book – Jesus and Politics: One Woman’s Walk with God in a Mudslinging Profession comes out nationally on 2/6/24. Preorder it now. Bunni is also the host of “Conversations With Christians Engaged,” seen here on The Stream each week — a podcast dedicated to helping believers continue walking in faith while navigating the muddy ways of politics and culture. Connect with her on Facebook @bunnipoundsTX, X — formerly known as Twitter @bunnipounds, Instagram @bunnipounds, or her personal website bunnipounds.com.