RR skipped the Iowa debate in 1980 because the Des Moines Register was against RR and was the debate sponsor.
“RR skipped the Iowa debate in 1980 because the Des Moines Register was against RR and was the debate sponsor.”
Apparently you don’t your have facts straight!
“Reagan was not in a petty feud with the Des Moines Register at the time. His campaign manager simply believed that as the frontrunner, Reagan was above the debate. Only five of the nine Republicans vying for the nomination participated in the debate. That debate was the first Republican primary debate since 1948. It was not planned to be a televised debate—that came later. And after Reagan’s loss in Iowa, he pivoted, ignoring his campaign manager’s advice and deciding not to skip future debates.
“http://reason.com/blog/2016/01/27/about-that-1980-iowa-debate-ronald-reaga