The First GOP Debate and The Elephant Not In The Room
Aug 24, 2023
01:04:17
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The podcast discusses the first GOP debate featuring eight candidates, with Donald Trump absent. They analyze standout moments such as a foreign policy debate between Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy. The chapter delves into Trump's use of entertaining lies and diversion tactics. They analyze the candidates' performance, surprising stances on military involvement, and Trump's strategic moves. The speakers debate the impact of COVID-19 on the election and discuss the future of the nation.
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Quick takeaways
The Republican Party is experiencing a shift towards isolationism and a rejection of conservative ideologies, focusing more on practicality and what works.
Ron DeSantis' attempt to align himself with Trump and adopt a Trump-like persona resulted in a decline in popularity and support.
Nikki Haley emerged as a strong contender due to her focus on addressing the concerns of working-class Americans and advocating for finding consensus on abortion.
Deep dives
Isolationism gains momentum in the Republican Party
One surprising shift in the Republican Party is the growing momentum towards isolationism. During the debate, candidates expressed skepticism and a desire to withdraw support for Ukraine, which was a departure from the traditional stance of the GOP. This shift reflects a practical focus on what works and a rejection of conservative ideologies. The desire for autonomy and protecting the American family and dream also resonated with voters. However, there was a lack of emphasis on economic policies that would benefit the working class, which is a key concern for Republican voters.
The migration from ideology to practicality
The Republican Party has undergone a shift from ideology to practicality, with an emphasis on what works rather than strict adherence to conservative principles. This change was evident during the debate, where candidates were willing to propose unconventional ideas and challenge traditional Republican positions. The party's base increasingly values tangible results and wants to see solutions that address their practical concerns, such as access to affordable housing and healthcare, as well as an economy that rewards hard work.
The fading prospects of Ron DeSantis
Ron DeSantis, once hailed as the future of the Republican Party, faced a decline in popularity and support following the debate. His attempt to align himself with Trump and adopt a Trump-like persona did not resonate with voters. DeSantis' focus on issues like the deep state, the corporate media, George Soros, and liberal district attorneys failed to make a lasting impression. The primary challenge for DeSantis lies in the disconnect between his policies and the priorities of the working-class Republican base. His failure to prioritize economic policies that benefit the working class hindered his chances of making a comeback.
Nikki Haley's Strong Performance on Foreign Policy and Economic Issues
Nikki Haley emerged as a clear contender during the podcast episode, particularly in her moment of debate with Vivek over foreign policy. She demonstrated more reasonableness, thoughtfulness, and responsibility compared to Vivek. Additionally, Haley started the night by attacking her own party for blowing up the debt, highlighting the need for fiscal responsibility and accountability. Her approach resonated with the audience and showed her to be a candidate focused on getting things done and addressing the concerns of working-class Americans.
Nikki Haley's Bold Stance on Abortion and Her Push for Consensus
Nikki Haley's strategy on abortion separated her from other candidates during the debate. She advocated for finding consensus on the issue, highlighting common ground such as banning late-term abortions, encouraging adoptions, and respecting the beliefs of doctors and nurses. Her approach resonated with the majority of Americans who are against abortions but also against strict abortion bans. By humanizing the issue and avoiding demonization, Haley presented a compassionate and respectful perspective on abortion, showing the way forward for Republicans.
On Wednesday night, Fox News and the streaming platform Rumble hosted the first Republican presidential debate with the eight GOP hopefuls who made the cut: North Dakota governor Doug Burgum, former governor of Arkansas Asa Hutchinson, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, former governor of South Carolina Nikki Haley, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, former vice president Mike Pence, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Missing from the stage was Donald Trump, who refused to attend the debate. Instead, he sat down Tucker Carlson—a move that allowed him to flip the bird to the RNC and allowed Tucker to do the same to Fox, who fired him a few months ago. Trump’s interview with Tucker aired exclusively on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, and more than 74 million people tuned in.
Here at The Free Press, we love a good debate night, and we were up until the wee hours discussing it all. So today on Honestly, TFP reporter Olivia Reingold, TFP senior editor Peter Savodnik, and Newsweek’s opinion editor Batya Ungar-Sargon are here to discuss who emerged on top? Who fell by the wayside? And did the elephant not in the room still somehow manage to dominate?