Former President Donald Trump’s plans to skip the first GOP debate Aug. 23 in Milwaukee will likely put a target on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who holds second place in Republican presidential polls. 

In the most recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, Trump held 47% of the Republican vote nationally, with DeSantis dropping to just 13%; none of the other candidates due to attend the debate have broken out of single digits. 

Rival campaigns smell blood in the water as DeSantis has faced questions over profligate campaign spending and his readiness for the national stage. 

A Republican strategist close to Nikki Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations who is also seeking the nomination, said the field is likely to treat Trump “gingerly” and instead train their fire on DeSantis, who is expected to occupy the center slot on the stage. Read Full Story

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