Trump Absence Looms Over First Republican Presidential Debate

21:00 ET 02:00 BST: The first Republican presidential debate will take place this evening in Wisconsin.

• On-stage: FL Gov Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Vivek Ramaswamy, ex-VP Mike Pence, ex-SC Gov Nikki Haley, Sen Tim Scott (R-SC), ex-NJ Gov Chris Christie, SD Gov Doug Burgum (R-SD), ex-AK Gov Asa Hutchinson.
• Former President Donald Trump, skipping the debate, will deflect attention by airing an interview with Tucker Carlson.
• Ramaswamy, early favourite to win the debate after a recent polling surge, must demonstrate that his position isn’t merely a reflection of his positive statements on Trump.
• DeSantis, derailed by financing issues and a lack of personal charisma requires a strong performance to arrest decline. He should avoid talking points leaked by his super PAC.
• Haley and Scott, will likely seek to differentiate themselves on policy and experience. Scott, running a campaign on general likability, may require an assertive pivot.
• Haley, the only woman on panel and the most experienced on foreign policy, will likely call on Ramaswamy to justify hawkish positions on China and Ukraine.
• Pence and Christie will mount the main offensive on Trump. Christie has emerged as the key figure pushing against the Trump-centric Republican order.