What to Know , Heading Into the First , Republican Presidential Debate.<br />On August 23, eight presidential candidates <br />will speak at the first Republican debate, but <br />the leading candidate, Donald Trump, will be absent.<br />On August 23, eight presidential candidates <br />will speak at the first Republican debate, but <br />the leading candidate, Donald Trump, will be absent.<br />'The New York Times' reports that the debate offers <br />candidates their first chance to make an impression <br />and present themselves as viable alternatives to Trump.<br />'The New York Times' reports that the debate offers <br />candidates their first chance to make an impression <br />and present themselves as viable alternatives to Trump.<br />The key for them is not to focus <br />on each other but the person who’s <br />at the top. You gotta punch up, Senator Mitt Romney, via 'The New York Times'.<br />According to the 'NYT,' one of the main topics of <br />debate is likely to be Trump and the number of <br />criminal indictments he is currently facing. .<br />According to the 'NYT,' one of the main topics of <br />debate is likely to be Trump and the number of <br />criminal indictments he is currently facing. .<br />Policies on abortion and the ongoing war <br />in Ukraine, two topics which have divided <br />the GOP, are also likely to be heavily debated. .<br />Policies on abortion and the ongoing war <br />in Ukraine, two topics which have divided <br />the GOP, are also likely to be heavily debated. .<br />Since the overturning of <br />Roe v. Wade in 2022, the GOP has been <br />unable to unite on a central abortion stance.<br />South Carolina Senator Tim Scott has pushed for <br />a federal 15-week ban, while former Vice President <br />Mike Pence has supported a six-week ban.<br />South Carolina Senator Tim Scott has pushed for <br />a federal 15-week ban, while former Vice President <br />Mike Pence has supported a six-week ban.<br />Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has <br />adopted a more neutral stance, saying that the decision <br />on abortion should be left to each individual state.<br />Another likely focus, according to the 'NYT,' is leading <br />Trump rival Ron DeSantis, who has been facing a string <br />of bad press and declining popularity in the polls. .<br />DeSantis will be one of the eight potential <br />candidates to take the stage on August 23. .<br />Other candidates to appear at the debate include entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former <br />ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley. .<br />Other candidates to appear at the debate include entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former <br />ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.
