GOP presidential candidates warned against participating in Iowa Thanksgiving event
by Cami Mondeaux, Congressional Reporter
November 11, 2023 09:27 AM
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/gop-candidates-warned-participating-iowa-thanksgiving-event
Republican presidential candidates could be barred from participating in future debates if they attend a Thanksgiving forum hosted by an Iowa Christian organization, according to a warning from the Republican National Committee.
A handful of GOP candidates were invited to participate in the Family Leader’s “Thanksgiving Family Forum” on Nov. 17, including former President Donald Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC). However, the candidates were warned that attending the event could disqualify them from future RNC debates as it would violate the pledge that prohibits them from “taking part in any future RNC-sanctioned presidential primary debates.”
“It has come to the attention of the RNC Counsel’s Office that several Republican presidential candidates have been invited to participate in an open-press event in Iowa in November at which they would ‘gather around the table to have a moderated, friendly, and open discussion about the issues.’ In other words, a debate,” the RNC wrote in a letter to candidates on Oct. 28, according to RealClearPolitics.
“Accordingly, please be advised that any Republican presidential candidate who participates in this or other similar events will be deemed to have violated this pledge and will be disqualified from taking part in any future RNC-sanctioned presidential primary debates,” the letter adds.
Despite the warning, the Family Leader indicated it still plans to move forward with the event, noting the group held similar forums during both the 2012 and 2016 election cycles.
“We do not agree that our Forum fits within the RNC’s ‘debate’ restriction,” Drew Zahn, a spokesman for the group, said in a statement to CNN. “We know from experience our event can be a win-win addition to the election process without in any way competing with the RNC’s debates. It’s just a completely different format and kind of event.”
DeSantis, Scott, and Ramaswamy have already RSVP’d for the event, he told the outlet, with the Florida governor telling reporters earlier this week he plans to attend despite the RNC’s warning.
“I think it’s an important part of this process,” DeSantis said. “It’s been a part of this process for a long time. There’s no way that should cause the RNC to penalize any candidate.”
It’s not yet clear whether the other candidates plan to attend.