On Wednesday, the Republicans hold their first debate before the primaries next year. But Donald Trump has chosen not to participate. His great advantage in public opinion is said to be one of the reasons.
Instead, the challengers, mainly Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie, Nikki Haley and Mike Pence, have to settle.
– He (Trump) does not need this opportunity, but the others are in desperate need of attention and to profile themselves, says SVT’s foreign reporter Stefan Åsberg, who was previously a US correspondent, in Morgonstudion.
Despite the fact that Trump does not participate, a lot seems to be about him.
– He is the focal point in American politics. Even when the Democrats and Biden are out and about, it is Trump who controls the agenda in many ways, says Stefan Åsberg.
“Great”
It will take a lot for any of the competitors to take his lead. At the moment, everything indicates that the presidential election will be a repeat of 2020: Donald Trump against Joe Biden.
Trump continues to have strong support in the Republican Party – despite the fact that he is facing four charges. But there are those who wish for another candidate. At the same time, many in the Democrats doubt Joe Biden, according to Stefan Åsberg.
– When you look at the polls about Biden against Trump, it’s very even, he says.
– This is going to be an incredibly exciting and dirty campaign, and Donald Trump is going to run most of what he has done so far, too.
Hear Stefan Åsberg in the video player above about the Republican candidates challenging Donald Trump.