ATLANTA — Republican presidential candidates are getting a second chance to make a good first impression with conservative activists after their inaugural televised debates had unheard of millions tuning in to see how they would play off each other.

Unlike the Fox News debates that divided the 17-candidate field into two groups on crowded stages, the RedState Gathering in Atlanta offered several of those seeking the Republican nomination a half-hour all to themselves. On Saturday, the lineup includes former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

Businessman Donald Trump had been on the program, but late Friday RedState’s Erick Erickson said he was withdrawing his invitation because of a comment Trump made earlier that evening about Fox News debate moderator Megyn Kelly.

Referring to Kelly’s questions during the debate, Trump told CNN, “There was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever.” In a statement on his RedState website, Erickson said: “I just don’t want someone on stage who gets a hostile question from a lady and his first inclination is to imply it was hormonal.”

Trump’s campaign responded: “This is just another example of weakness through being politically correct. For all of the people who were looking forward to Mr. Trump coming, we will miss you. Blame Erick Erickson, your weak and pathetic leader.”