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Intelligence Squared debate: Should the GOP re-nominate President Trump?

President Trump speaks in Florida
President Trump speaks at an event focused on infrastructure at the Edgar Hoover Dike on Lake Okeechobee in Florida on Friday, March 29, 2019.
Nicholas Kamm | AFP | Getty Images

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On this edition of Intelligence Squared:

Americans are gearing up for the 2020 presidential elections, and Republicans have a choice: Should Donald Trump be their nominee?

His detractors see a politically vulnerable candidate wounded by the longest government shutdown in history and defeated by House Democrats who refused his demand for border wall funding.

But many are standing behind the president. They argue his passionate and loyal base will deliver yet another political win, particularly if his campaign finally has the full support and guidance of the Republican Party.

Can President Trump deliver key swing states and another victory for the GOP? Or is he the wrong choice for the American right?

The debate motion: "The Republican Party Should Not Re-nominate President Trump."

John Donvan served as the debate moderator.

For the motion

Jeff Flake, former U.S. Senator, Arizona:

"Those arguing for the resolution will argue that this president can be re-elected. They're right; he can. And he might. But the question that we're trying to answer here, as Republicans, as conservatives, is should he be re-elected?"

Bret Stephens, op-ed columnist, New York Times:

"Donald Trump definitely owns the Republican Party right now. He will probably get north of 90% of the Republican vote... You know who else once owned the Republican Party? Richard Nixon in 1972."

Against the motion

Kris Kobach, former Secretary of State, Kansas:

"The party's top objective at the nominating convention in 2020 is to win in 2020. Now, if that is our objective, there is no question that we as a party must re-nominate Donald Trump."

Liz Peek, Fox News contributor & columnist:

"Who can take the White House for the GOP? Obviously, only President Trump."