(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) The Republican National Committee has blocked 2024 presidential candidates Vivek Ramaswamy and former N.J. Gov. Chris Christie from hosting a stand-alone debate on Fox News.
The planned Candidates Corner event, with Fox News host Bret Baier as the moderator, was originally scheduled to air this Tuesday.
WATCH: ‘Candidates Corner’ on @SpecialReport with @BretBaier tonight at 6PM ET pic.twitter.com/7maJrW8MfD
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 3, 2023
According to the New York Times, the RNC reportedly threatened to remove them from future GOP presidential debates in the upcoming months if they persisted in their efforts to hold unsanctioned debates.
Christie, a longshot candidate and infamous Donald Trump critic, did not hold back his criticism of the RNC’s decision. “Our Party needs more debates and in-depth discussions not less,” Christie claimed. “This is common sense and the bedrock of our Republic. When the RNC stops conversations between candidates from happening that is real cause for concern.”
Voters need more information not less. Our Party needs more debates and in-depth discussions not less. This is common sense and the bedrock of our Republic. When the RNC stops conversations between candidates from happening that is real cause for concern.
One of the main things…
— Chris Christie (@GovChristie) October 3, 2023
Christie also used the occasion, of course, to draw attention to Trump, stating, “I am always up for those discussions – it’s a shame the RNC and @realDonaldTrump aren’t.”
Similarly, Ramaswamy took a jab at the committee, saying, “Last week’s R.N.C. debate was a disgrace, and I’m starting to believe that was by design. This is what a broken and rigged nomination process looks like.”
Vivek Ramaswamy responds to story: “Last week’s RNC debate was a disgrace, and I’m starting to believe that was by design. This is what a broken & rigged nomination process looks like.” https://t.co/TTzOZe83vs pic.twitter.com/Jp5seHMebh
— Meridith McGraw (@meridithmcgraw) October 3, 2023
The RNC cited a pledge signed by both candidates, in which they had agreed to only participate in “Primary and General Election debates that have been sanctioned by the Republican National Committee.”
Also in response, an RNC spokesperson issued a statement taking aim at the candidates. “The same candidates complaining about the rules governing RNC debates all signed a pledge and agreed months ago to not participate in unsanctioned debates,” the spokesperson said.
“The RNC will continue to enact a fair, transparent debate process and we will not give in to pressure from individuals seeking to change the rules to favor their candidacy,” the individual added.
As a compromise, Fox News has agreed to conduct two separate interviews with the candidates and air them back-to-back.
