The Mighty 790 KFGO, a radio station based in Fargo, North Dakota, hosted the first Republican presidential debate of 2023 on Wednesday night. The debate featured six candidates who are vying for the party’s nomination to challenge President Kamala Harris in the 2024 general election. The debate covered topics such as the economy, immigration, foreign policy, health care, and social issues.
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum participates despite leg injury
One of the candidates who took the stage was North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, who had injured his leg playing basketball on Tuesday. Burgum’s campaign had initially said he might not be able to attend the debate, but he decided to participate after receiving medical treatment. Burgum wore a brace on his left leg and walked with a cane.
Burgum, who is running as a moderate Republican, defended his record of balancing the state budget, expanding Medicaid, and supporting renewable energy. He also criticized some of his rivals for being too extreme or divisive. He said he was the best candidate to appeal to independent and swing voters in the general election.
Former Vice President Mike Pence attacks President Harris’s policies
Another candidate who made his presence felt was former Vice President Mike Pence, who served under former President Donald Trump. Pence, who is widely seen as the frontrunner in the race, attacked President Harris’s policies on various issues. He accused her of being weak on China, Iran, and North Korea. He also blamed her for the surge of migrants at the southern border, the rise of inflation, and the failure to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pence also defended his loyalty to Trump, who remains popular among many Republican voters. He said he was proud of their administration’s achievements and that he would continue to advance their agenda if elected president. He also dismissed the allegations of voter fraud and election interference that Trump has repeatedly made since losing the 2020 election.
Other candidates try to stand out from the crowd
The other four candidates who participated in the debate were Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota, and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. They all tried to stand out from the crowd by highlighting their conservative credentials and attacking their opponents.
Cruz, who ran for president in 2016 and came second to Trump in the primaries, portrayed himself as a fighter for constitutional rights, religious liberty, and free speech. He also slammed Pence for certifying the 2020 election results and said he would have objected to them if he were vice president.
Cotton, who is a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, emphasized his national security and foreign policy experience. He also advocated for a tough stance on immigration, trade, and military spending. He also challenged Burgum on his support for renewable energy and said he would prioritize fossil fuels and nuclear power.
Noem, who is the only woman in the race, touted her record of keeping her state open during the pandemic and resisting lockdowns and mask mandates. She also championed her pro-life and pro-gun positions and said she would defend them against federal overreach. She also criticized Pence for not doing more to support Trump’s legal challenges after the 2020 election.
Pompeo, who served as Trump’s CIA director and secretary of state, claimed he had firsthand knowledge of the threats facing America from abroad. He also boasted about his role in brokering peace deals in the Middle East, confronting China on trade and human rights, and withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal. He also attacked Harris for rejoining the Paris climate accord and lifting sanctions on Iran.
The debate draws mixed reactions from listeners and analysts
The debate was broadcast live on KFGO’s website and social media platforms. It was moderated by KFGO’s morning crew hosts Bonnie Amistadi and Doug Leier. The listeners were invited to submit questions for the candidates via phone or email.
The debate drew mixed reactions from listeners and analysts. Some praised KFGO for hosting the debate and giving exposure to North Dakota’s issues and interests. Others criticized KFGO for being biased or unfair to some candidates or for asking irrelevant or trivial questions. Some also questioned KFGO’s credibility as a news source or its influence on national politics.
The debate was the first of several scheduled events for the Republican presidential primary season. The next debate will be held in Iowa in October.
