The Republican National Committee (RNC) recently made headlines when it threatened to ban two prominent figures, tech investor Vivek Ramaswamy and former Governor Chris Christie, from the next GOP primary debate. The reason behind this potential ban was the duo’s planned joint television appearance on Fox News. Both Christie and Ramaswamy expressed their disappointment with the RNC’s decision, arguing that it deprived voters of the opportunity to hear from the candidates directly.

Chris Christie and Vivek Ramaswamy had announced their joint appearance on Fox News, expressing their excitement to engage in an in-depth discussion on the network’s program “Special Report.” Christie took to Twitter to share his anticipation, stating, “Voters deserve to hear from the candidates, and unlike others, I’m not afraid to show up.” Ramaswamy echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for substantive arguments and an opportunity for voters to make an informed choice.

“The GOP needs more actual argument on substance, not fake one-liners,” Ramaswamy tweeted. “I agreed to spar with Chris Christie tomorrow for a full hour on Fox at 6pm with Bret Baier.”

However, the RNC intervened, asserting that the joint appearance violated the candidates’ pledge to participate only in debates sanctioned by the party. According to the RNC, such joint appearances and subsequent verbal sparring were not part of the agreed-upon debate format. This decision stirred controversy, with both Christie and Ramaswamy expressing their frustration with the RNC’s actions.

Chris Christie took to social media to voice his concerns, stating that the RNC’s decision to ban the joint appearance deprived the public of vital information about the candidates’ policy positions. He argued that voters deserved more debates and in-depth discussions, emphasizing the importance of open conversations between candidates. Christie’s disappointment was evident as he tweeted:

“Voters need more information, not less. Our Party needs more debates and in-depth discussions, not less. This is common sense and the bedrock of our Republic. When the RNC stops conversations between candidates from happening, that is a real cause for concern.”

Vivek Ramaswamy echoed Christie’s sentiments and expressed frustration with the RNC’s “sanctioned” debate format. He criticized the party for potentially favoring certain candidates through these debates, arguing that this approach denied voters the chance to make an informed choice. Ramaswamy’s frustration was evident in his tweet:

“Last week’s RNC debate was a disgrace, and I’m starting to believe that was by design. This is what a brokered and rigged nomination process looks like. The Establishment was hellbent on taking down Trump. Now they’re hellbent on propping up their favored puppets. We won’t let them get away with it. Republican voters deserve better than this broken process.”

Both Christie and Ramaswamy believed that the RNC’s decision limited the opportunity for open dialogue between the candidates and the voters. They argued that voters deserved to hear directly from each candidate, without the filter of a party-sanctioned debate. Christie praised Ramaswamy for his willingness to engage in open conversation, expressing disappointment in the RNC’s exclusionary tactics:

“One of the main things that Vivek Ramaswamy and I agree on is the right of the American public to fully hear and understand what each candidate believes and with as little filter as possible. It is very disappointing that we were threatened with exclusion from the Miami debate and future debates for trying to have a more complete dialogue with each other and the voters.”

Ramaswamy shared Christie’s disappointment, emphasizing the need for open dialogue and the airing of ideas to allow primary voters to make an informed choice. He criticized the RNC’s preference for backroom deals and phony debates that did not address the concerns of voters:

“Instead of allowing open dialogue and the airing of ideas to give primary voters a real choice, the Establishment would rather cut backroom deals and offer up phony debates, including candidates with no viable path and questions that no voter would ever ask. Republican voters deserve better than this broken process.”