In South Florida, GOP Candidates Debate While Trump Rallies
Nov 9, 2023
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Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, and South Carolina senator Tim Scott debate while Trump rallies. Topics include the candidates' strategies, Trump's influence on the Republican Party, South Florida's political dynamics, and the importance of Iowa in the GOP primary race.
Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis emerged as the top contenders in the GOP debate, while the other candidates struggled to make an impression without the presence of Donald Trump.
The Republican candidates showcased a shift towards a more aggressive stance on Iran, emphasizing the need for stronger action and going beyond traditional party talking points.
Deep dives
Top Takeaways from the Republican Debate
The Republican debate featured a smaller field of candidates, with Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis standing out as frontrunners. Chris Christie appeared more subdued, while Tim Scott aimed to appeal to evangelical voters. Vivek Rama-Swami stirred up trouble and engaged in a heated exchange about high heels with Haley. Meanwhile, former President Trump held a rally nearby, criticizing his opponents and garnering applause for not attending the debate.
Hawkish Stance on Iran Dominates the Debate
Foreign policy took center stage during the debate, with candidates expressing extremely hawkish views on Iran. They discussed Hamas, Hezbollah, Israel's right to defend itself, and striking in Iran to halt attacks on military personnel. The candidates' rhetoric revealed a notable shift toward a more aggressive stance on Iran, even going beyond traditional Republican talking points.
Signs of Winnowing Field and Trump's Unconcerned Demeanor
The debate showcased a clear division between top contenders, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis, and the rest of the candidates. The event felt like a play-in game without the presence of Trump, who remains a leading figure in the polls. While some candidates demonstrated energy, there was a sense that this could be the last time many of them appear on the debate stage. Trump's rally overshadowed the debate, with him dismissing the competition and focusing on issues such as immigration and criticizing Democrats.
Five candidates — former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, and South Carolina senator Tim Scott met on a debate stage in Miami, each trying to pitch themselves as the alternative to Donald Trump. The former president, meanwhile, skipped the debate — as he has with each held so far this year — and led a rally with his supporters in nearby Hialeah.
This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro.
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