Fox News is set to host the first 2024 Republican presidential nomination debate on Wednesday, August 23rd, in Milwaukee. As the deadline approaches, several Republican candidates are scrambling to qualify for the debate stage. One of these candidates is Mayor Francis Suarez of Miami, who stressed the importance of making the debate stage, saying, "for someone like me, it's critical." So far, eight candidates have met the polling and donor thresholds set by the Republican National Committee to qualify for the debate. These candidates include former President Donald Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, former Ambassador Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

However, Trump has yet to confirm whether he will attend the debate on Wednesday. Other candidates still vying to make the stage include former CIA spy and Congressman Will Hurd of Texas, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, Michigan businessman Perry Johnson, and former talk radio host Larry Elder. Suarez and Johnson recently announced that they have met the polling and donor criteria, but there has been no confirmation from the RNC on their qualifications.

The candidates have until Monday night, 48 hours before the debate, to reach the RNC's polling and donor thresholds and sign the pledge. Suarez expressed optimism about making the stage, stating, "We're planning as if we're going to be there, and we're excited about being there." He emphasized the importance of the debate as an opportunity for him to introduce himself to the country and showcase why he is the best choice to lead the country into the future.

While Suarez and Johnson have met the donor threshold, they are still working to reach the polling criteria. Hurd, on the other hand, has made it clear that he won't take the loyalty pledge due to his opposition to Trump. He stated, "I'm not going to support Donald Trump. But Donald Trump hasn't even agreed to sign the loyalty pledge, so we'll see how all of this transpires." Hutchinson, who has reached both the polling and donor thresholds, highlighted his campaign's success in submitting 42,000 individual donors to the RNC.

The debate is crucial for these candidates, as it provides an opportunity to gain national recognition and boost their brand names. Chris Christie, a former New Jersey Governor, emphasized the significance of the debate, saying, "It means a lot for me and every other candidate. It's going to be the biggest audience any of us have spoken before in a long time." Other candidates, like Nikki Haley and Tim Scott, see the debate as a chance to break out and establish themselves as top contenders.

However, the debate stage only gets more challenging to reach as the race progresses. The criteria for the second debate, hosted by Fox Business, will be even higher. Candidates who fail to make the first debate should carefully consider their future in the race, according to Suarez. Longtime Republican strategist Ryan Williams echoed this sentiment, stating, "If you can't make the debate stage, you're not viewed as a serious candidate."

In a race dominated by Donald Trump, the debate provides an opportunity for candidates to make a first impression on the national stage and potentially go viral. The pressure is high for these candidates, as they need to think on their feet and deliver authentic performances. The debate will likely be a crucial moment for the candidates, shaping their campaigns and influencing the trajectory of the race.