Five days ahead of the Iowa caucuses, Haley and DeSantis took to opposing each other onstage; their primary messages targeted each other rather than Trump.
Both candidates emphasized their conservative credentials, criticizing one another for holding weak positions on issues like ending illegal immigration and cutting taxes.
Haley: DeSantis Is Desperate
DeSantis spent much of his time during the Drake University debate criticizing Haley’s record as governor and UN ambassador, criticizing her use of taxpayer funds for private plane use as well as accepting campaign contributions from companies operating within Florida.
Haley responded swiftly, blasting DeSantis for supporting an Obamacare rule allowing states to continue subsidizing health insurance for working-class people, as well as for his proposal of funding the border wall through taxing immigrants’ remittances back home, which she likened to charging Mexico directly.
She criticized him for attacking Trump, calling him an “inveterate liar.” But there was little sign that their bitter dispute altered the course of the race – both remain far behind Trump in Iowa and in terms of second place in GOP nomination contests beginning next month in New Hampshire.
DeSantis: Haley Is Lax
Nikki Haley hopes that tonight’s Republican debate in Iowa can build upon her recent surge in polling numbers and close the gap with Donald Trump in their Republican race. So far, Haley is taking advantage of her one major advantage over rival candidates: Trump won’t be onstage!
Haley and DeSantis decided not to seize upon this momentous opportunity as an opportunity to exploit President Donald Trump, instead opting to focus their criticisms of each other within an otherwise non-controversial debate format.
Haley and her former boss clashed on school choice and several other topics, yet Haley failed to use this occasion to change the debate over his policies.
DeSantis also took aim at Governor Haley for failing to stand up to Democrats during her time as governor and for supporting an officer’s actions in relation to George Floyd, who died holding onto a gun when shot by officers.
DeSantis: Haley Is Demeaning
DeSantis targeted Haley for her performance as governor and accused her of virtue signalling following George Floyd’s death – held down for nine minutes by police officers – and opposing a 2016 bathroom bill while living in Florida and shifting her position on transgender issues.
Haley responded by noting her strong record in employment and education, including shepherding a school voucher program through a resistant South Carolina legislature. Additionally, she dismissed his allegations that she was just another “mealy-mouthed politician who says what you want to hear in order to gain election or satisfy donors”.
She defended her support of aid to Ukraine, noting Russia is aggressively moving toward Poland and the Baltic states and keeping America secure is imperative. Additionally, she strongly criticised DeSantis for inviting Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, one of the most vocal opponents to Israeli policies during his campaign, along to Iowa with him; Massie was one of only eight House GOP votes against antisemitism on campus resolution.
DeSantis: Haley Is Desperate
Polls show Haley to be nearly even with DeSantis in Iowa and close to Trump, so she went into the debate hoping to strike a blow that would dismantle DeSantis’ momentum. Haley attacked DeSantis’s lack of commitment in aiding Ukraine during its conflict with Russia; she accused him of flip-flopping on sanctuary cities; and she laughed off comments made about “dancing on the head of a pin.”
DeSantis also made some incorrect statements. He pointed out that grocery costs were increasing with inflation but failed to mention how Americans’ wages are outpacing prices faster, making it easier to bear these increases.
He lambasted Haley for using policy statements as an avenue to her donors’ bidding and for being an ineffectual politician who doesn’t hold people accountable. At Drake University, the crowd applauded louder for his criticism than for Haley’s statements.
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