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The first Republican debate was a source of great enjoyment for former President Donald Trump. By choosing not to participate, he avoided getting caught up in the chaos and turbulence that ensued. The night was filled with hostility and disorganization, with verbal blows thrown but very few landing. It was a time devoid of humor and humility. The eight candidates who came together in Milwaukee all have one thing in common – they are far behind the former president. Nothing that happened on that debate stage will change that.
Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy entered the GOP debate in Milwaukee with significant momentum. However, he squandered that advantage in just two hours, and likely destroyed any chance he had at securing the nomination. He came across as smug and disrespectful towards his fellow contestants, constantly interrupting and lacking the gravitas and substance expected from a 38-year-old aspiring to occupy the Oval Office.
Ramaswamy repeatedly boasted about being the only political outsider on the stage, belittling his fellow candidates as puppets of political action committees. He also insulted the group by labeling them as “bought and paid for.” His lack of civility was shocking, contrasting with his usual sunny disposition. During the first break, he must have realized that his attacks weren’t resonating with the audience, as he toned down the arrogance afterwards. However, the damage had already been done.
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Nikki Haley, as expected, launched multiple criticisms at Ramaswamy, particularly focusing on foreign policy. She bolstered her credibility by citing facts and her past experience as a former U.N. ambassador and governor of South Carolina.
She presented her arguments with passion without becoming overly emotional – a challenging balance for female candidates. Additionally, she held her ground firmly without appearing harsh, another delicate dynamic for women in politics.
If Ramaswamy was the night’s biggest loser, Haley was the biggest winner. She displayed toughness on national security and border security, while also demonstrating intelligence on education policy. Furthermore, she was the only candidate to stake out a winning position on the contentious issue of abortion.
If Ramaswamy was the biggest loser of the night, Haley was the biggest winner.
Although she proudly declares herself as pro-life, she recognizes the deeply personal nature of the issue and advocates for finding a middle ground. Haley outlined an approach that includes universal access to contraception, promoting adoption, banning late-term abortions, and ending the demonization of the issue.
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This was an important night for the Haley campaign, which has struggled to gain traction in recent months. It could potentially be a turning point for her.
Chris Christie also delivered a solid performance, despite receiving loud boos from the audience for criticizing former President Trump. Among all the candidates, he appeared the most at ease and drew upon significant personal achievements as a federal prosecutor and governor of New Jersey to make his case.
Christie’s finest moment came during his closing remarks when he reminded the audience of how difficult and rare it is to unseat an incumbent Democrat. He accomplished this feat when he defeated Jon Corzine to become governor of New Jersey in 2009. As he pointed out, the last Republican to defeat an incumbent Democratic president was Ronald Reagan, who defeated Jimmy Carter in 1980.
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However, the odds of Christie advancing in the race are slim. The majority of Republicans still support Donald Trump, and Christie has made it clear that he strongly opposes the former president’s reelection.
With Trump currently holding a commanding 40-point lead in the primary race and enjoying widespread loyalty among Republicans, all candidates needed to surpass him and give voters a compelling reason to choose them over the former president. Unfortunately, no one achieved that level of success on Wednesday night.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose campaign has been in decline for weeks, was the candidate who needed a breakthrough the most. Although he didn’t make any major mistakes, he appeared awkward and uncomfortable. Rather than providing substantive answers to questions posed to him, he relied on pre-prepared sound bites that rarely fit the context.
DeSantis’ worst moment came when the moderators asked the candidates if they would support Trump for president if he secured the nomination. Everyone except Christie and Asa Hutchinson expressed support for the former president, while DeSantis hesitated before raising his hand, seemingly seeking reassurance from those around him. This did not go unnoticed by viewers.
Tim Scott was unexpectedly subdued during the debate, which was unfortunate. His usual cheerfulness and faith in our country are refreshing in these divisive political times.
Other participants on the stage included North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who had injured his Achilles tendon earlier that morning while playing basketball with his staff. Given his recent visit to the emergency room, it’s understandable that he failed to energize the crowd. Like former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, Burgum is unlikely to make significant progress.
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The other major contender was former Vice President Mike Pence, who, especially compared to Ramaswamy, appeared as the mature presence in the room. He had a decent night and undoubtedly appealed to conservatives who appreciate his strong stance on abortion and national security issues. However, his religious fervor limits his appeal to a broader audience.
Viewers hoping to find a candidate capable of challenging Donald Trump in the race were likely disappointed. Perhaps the evening will convince Virginia Gov. Glen Youngkin to enter the fray. Undoubtedly, there is an opportunity for someone new.
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