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Past event

The GOP debate breakdown: What just happened?

24 August 2023. 6.00pm–7.30pm AEST

Level 5 Function Room, The Michael Spence Building (F23) Corner of Eastern Avenue and City Road, The University of Sydney Camperdown NSW 2006

Republican presidential candidates gathered in Milwaukee for the biggest event of the 2024 election cycle so far: the first Republican presidential debate. With the power to make or break the candidates jockeying to stand out in the crowded GOP field, the first debate is a critical step in deciding who will ultimately face off against likely Democratic nominee Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential election. While the stage may be set, much remains unknown.

Does anyone stand a chance to dethrone frontrunner Donald Trump? Who were the winners and losers of the expectation game? As the dust settles, what did the debate tell us about what to expect in the road to the 2024 presidential election?

To explore these questions, USSC hosted a public forum featuring politics experts Associate Professor David Smith, Senior Lecturer Dr Gorana Grgic and Research Editor Victoria Cooper in conversation with Director of Research Jared Mondschein.

david-smith.jpg

Associate Professor David Smith

Associate Professor in American Politics and Foreign PolicyUnited States Studies Centre (jointly appointed with the School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Sydney)

Australia-US relations
US politics and elections
Gender, race and religion
US foreign policy, defence and strategy
Dr Gorana Grgic

Dr Gorana Grgić

Non-Resident Senior ScholarUnited States Studies Centre

US-Europe relations
US politics and elections
US foreign policy, defence and strategy
Victoria Cooper

Victoria Cooper

Researcher and political analyst

Victoria Cooper was previously the Research Editor at the United States Studies Centre, specialising in US domestic politics and elections, as well as political trends and public opinion in both the United States and Australia.
Jared Mondschein, the Director of Research at the United States Studies Centre.

Jared Mondschein

Director of ResearchUnited States Studies Centre

US domestic policy
US politics and elections
Economics and business
Australia-US relations
US foreign policy, defence and strategy
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