Fiery and Fun GOP Debate, and Vivek vs. Haley, with Josh Holmes, Glenn Greenwald, Rich Lowry, and Jim Geraghty | Ep. 681
Dec 7, 2023
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Join political commentators Josh Holmes, Glenn Greenwald, Rich Lowry, and Jim Geraghty as they dissect the latest GOP debate's fiery exchanges, especially between Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley. They discuss Haley's strategy to stay above the fray, Chris Christie's viral moment, and DeSantis' standout performance. The conversation also touches on the challenges of moderating debates in a biased media landscape and the implications of Trump's absence for candidates trying to capture the GOP base. It’s a lively analysis packed with insights!
The podcast discussed the criticisms faced by Nikki Haley during the GOP debate, focusing on her perceived weaknesses and inconsistencies.
Chris Christie came to Nikki Haley's defense during the debate, criticizing Vivek Ramaswamy for his disrespect and highlighting Haley's intelligence and accomplishments.
Ron DeSantis strongly opposed transgender medical procedures for minors, emphasizing parental rights and arguing against Haley's opposition to legislation banning these procedures.
The debate highlighted the competition between Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, with DeSantis's strong stance on social conservative issues potentially positioning him favorably among Iowa voters.
Deep dives
Nikki Haley faces criticism from fellow candidates
During the podcast episode, Nikki Haley faced criticism from other candidates during a debate. She was accused of not being strong enough on certain issues and being corrupt. Her defense focused on parental rights and avoiding government involvement in personal decisions, but she faced pushback for inconsistencies in her past actions. The debate highlighted the divide among Republican voters regarding transgender medical treatments for minors and the role of parental rights.
Chris Christie defends Nikki Haley against Vivak Romswami's insults
Chris Christie came to Nikki Haley's defense during the debate, calling out Vivak Romsawmi for insulting her intelligence. He confronted Romsawmi for his disrespectful comments, highlighting that Haley served as a two-term governor and a U.N. ambassador, which demonstrates her intelligence and accomplishments. Christie criticized Romsawmi for his hostility and personal attacks, emphasizing his strong support for Haley.
Ron DeSantis argues against transgender medical procedures for minors
Ron DeSantis expressed strong opposition to transgender medical procedures for minors during the debate. He argued that these procedures are irreversible and likened them to child abuse. DeSantis emphasized the importance of parental rights and criticized Haley for opposing legislation to ban these procedures. He underscored the potential long-term damage caused by such treatments and argued for protecting children from irreversible harm.
Debate dynamics and the importance of Iowa for DeSantis and Haley
The debate dynamics highlighted the competition between Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley. DeSantis's performance, particularly his strong opposition to transgender medical procedures for minors, positioned him favorably among social conservative voters in Iowa. On the other hand, Haley faced criticism and questions about her past actions, which could potentially impact her performance in the Iowa caucus. Both candidates rely on a strong showing in Iowa to solidify their positions and gain momentum in the race.
Vaccine Injuries and Government Accountability
The debate highlights the issue of vaccine injuries, with critics arguing that the compensation program for vaccine harm is inadequate. Only eight payouts have been made out of 12,000 claims filed, raising concerns about the bureaucratic process. The Trump administration's Operation Warp Speed protected drug companies from lawsuits, leading to a debate on accountability. Governor DeSantis vows for a reckoning, promising to hold government agencies like the FDA, CDC, and NIH accountable for the damage caused during the pandemic. He emphasizes the need for transparency, a clean-up of these agencies, and preventing such a situation from happening again.
Nikki Haley's Wealth and Donor Influence
Vivek Ramaswamy criticizes Nikki Haley's rapid accumulation of wealth after leaving the UN. He points out her involvement with military contractors and serving on the board of Boeing, highlighting the alignment between her policies and the interests of big donors and corporations. Ramaswamy questions the influence of money in politics and the extent to which politicians are beholden to their donors. The discussion raises concerns about the establishment's control over regulatory agencies and the need for politicians who prioritize the interests of the American people over the agendas of big donors.
The Rise of Vivek Ramaswamy
Vivek Ramaswamy stands out during the debate with his well-delivered points and compelling speaking style. Despite being the chief antagonist to other candidates like Nikki Haley, his presence and ability to captivate the audience generate intrigue. Ramaswamy's ability to address controversial topics and talk about immigration, the great replacement theory, and the influence of money in politics appeals to voters who seek someone willing to challenge the mainstream narrative and take on establishment interests.
Megyn Kelly begins the show by talking about her thoughts after co-moderating the fourth and final GOP debate of 2023, and shares behind-the-scenes details about the process. Then she's joined by Ruthless' Josh Holmes, Glenn Greenwald, host of Rumble's System Update, and National Review's Rich Lowry and Jim Geraghty to talk about talk about Vivek Ramaswamy's fiery exchanges with Nikki Haley, Haley's decision not to respond, the breaking news that CNN is slated to host the next two GOP debates next year, Chris Christie's "white knight" moment in defending Nikki Haley, whether it was good for Haley to have Christie jump in on her behalf, what really happened when Chris Christie walked over to Megyn Kelly during a GOP debate commercial break that went viral on X, Ron DeSantis' best moment during the GOP debate, the outraged reaction from CNN to comments from Vivek Ramaswamy, his legitimate arguments about immigration and other issues, what really happened with the Rumble feed, and more. Plus, Megyn announces Tucker Carlson is coming on the show next week with a big announcement.
