Opinion: Analyzing the Winner of the Republican Presidential Debate
Who emerged victorious in the CNN Iowa Republican debate between Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis? Find out if they managed to surpass Donald Trump's performance
SE Cupp: Nikki Haley played the right strategy with independents
CNN Opinion sought input from political contributors regarding the final Republican presidential debate of the 2024 race prior to the Iowa caucuses. The opinions presented in these essays are those of the individual contributors.
You cannot please everyone. This sentiment has never been more apparent than in the current GOP primary for president. Trying to win over the voters of former President Donald Trump while also appealing to independents and moderates is like chasing a wild goose.
SE Cupp
SE Cupp
During the last Republican debate before the Iowa caucuses on Wednesday night, I watched to see if former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley would address independents or appeal to MAGA voters, following the news of former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's campaign suspension. She opted to speak to independents, making moderate distinctions from both Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on a variety of issues, including abortion, immigration, Ukraine, January 6, Trump's election lies, and extremist rhetoric, rather than aligning herself with the far right.
There is no doubt that Haley presented conservative arguments. However, for individuals seeking an alternative to Trump and disheartened by the backward extremism of the new GOP, Haley managed to appeal to them while staying true to her principles. This strategy is particularly astute in a state like Iowa, where there are more registered independents than registered Republicans, just five days before the primary election. This is especially important since it is assumed that Trump's supporters are already committed.
SE Cupp is a CNN political commentator.
Sophia A. Nelson: Nikki Haley missed an opportunity
With former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley closing in on former President Donald Trump's lead in New Hampshire, Republican voters are likely asking: Does Haley have the potential to become the first female president of the United States? Can she go head-to-head with President Joe Biden and emerge victorious? Or is she more likely to end up as Trump's running mate?
Sophia A. Nelson.
Andrew Sample Photography
Haley lacks a polished approach. While she clearly possesses the intelligence and skill to become president, during the Iowa debate with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the two resorted to immature and petty squabbling. Despite initially projecting a presidential and level-headed persona, her repeated references to Desantislies.com were disappointing, both for me and my family members watching the debate.
The reality is that with the withdrawal of former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie from the race, Haley and DeSantis are the only serious contenders to Trump. Haley missed an opportunity to present her vision, character, and agenda for America and instead devoted a significant amount of time to attacking DeSantis, despite the polls indicating that she is actually the one to watch in this Republican primary season, not him.
To defeat Trump, she must earn the trust of the people and show that she is prepared to become the first female president from Day One. Despite her recent misstep on the civil war and slavery, she failed to persuade this former Republican woman of color to vote for her. Perhaps she will do better in the future, but I remain skeptical. Sophia A. Nelson served as a former House GOP Congressional Investigative Committee Counsel and is the author of "ePluribus One: Reclaiming our Founders Vision for a United America."
Carrie Sheffield: DeSantis slam dunk on education
During the CNN GOP debate, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis showcased his superior approach to education reform and school choice compared to former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. With a track record of proven results, he has effectively championed these important issues. Florida has earned the top spot for public education quality, according to US News & World Report, while South Carolina lags behind at No. 42. Additionally, the conservative powerhouse Heritage Foundation has ranked Florida No. 1 for education freedom, while South Carolina comes in at 16th place.
Carrie Sheffield
DeSantis' decline in polling after a strong start suggests that he should have focused on enhancing his credentials in state education during his presidential campaign, rather than engaging in loud confrontations with Disney in the culture wars.
DeSantis can better demonstrate leadership through education, which was not possible for Trump at the federal level, despite the achievements of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Instead of imitating Trump's boldness, DeSantis should focus on his policy strengths. As cable host Bill Maher pointed out, GOP primary voters would prefer the original "band" rather than a "tribute band" when it comes to Trump's persona.
When questioned by CNN's Jake Tapper about whether DeSantis wanted to impose Florida's education policies nationwide, he provided a compelling and nuanced answer. DeSantis expressed that incentivizing school choice through scholarships and tax credits should be promoted on a national level. He also opposed a national curriculum and advocated for eliminating the federal Department of Education to reduce the burden on state and local governments. However, the feasibility of abolishing the Education Department and assigning its duties to other agencies is uncertain. DeSantis rightly emphasized the need to diminish the excessive power of teachers unions.
DeSantis has presented a plan for enhancing education that contrasts with Haley's weaker record. However, he should have done a better job of promoting his plan throughout the entire campaign, instead of just in the final days before the Iowa caucuses.
Carrie Sheffield is a senior policy analyst at Independent Womens Voice.
Roxanne Jones: Haley is ready â and Trump should be nervous
Former US Ambassador Nikki Haley made a strong impact at the GOP presidential debate on Wednesday night with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at Drake University in Iowa. It was the last debate before the Iowa caucuses and Haley's most impressive performance yet. She effectively put DeSantis on the defensive from the very beginning.
Roxanne Jones
Courtesy Roxanne Jones
Haley, the ex-governor of South Carolina, quickly took charge by surpassing DeSantis with her extensive foreign policy knowledge and her skill in criticizing her political rivals without sounding petty. She positioned herself as the most capable leader on the stage by providing direct responses and outlining her policy plans, something DeSantis often fails to do.
When asked whether a president should have immunity for any conduct, Haley promptly replied, "No, that's absurd."
DeSantis avoided directly answering the question, stating, "I will adhere to the Constitution, and I will uphold the highest standards of the office. I aim to be a president that you can take pride in." The two candidates exchanged insults and fought for second place in the GOP presidential primary race, with former President Donald Trump choosing not to participate. Despite this, Haley, who is gaining momentum in the polls, felt bold enough to aim a clear shot at Trump.
Haley emphasized the importance of moral clarity in the next president, distancing herself from Trump through her lack of personal vendettas and desire for him to be her opponent on the stage. With the upcoming Iowa caucuses on January 15 and the New Hampshire primary on January 23, Haley will have the opportunity to see how she stands against Trump, and the frontrunner may soon find himself feeling uneasy.
Roxanne Jones is CEO of the Push Marketing Group and talks politics, sports and culture weekly on Philadelphias WURD radio.
Geoff Duncan: Chris Christie did the right thing
Wednesday evening saw the dramatic departure of former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie from the presidential race. His exit was marked by a scathing critique of former President Donald Trump and a call for the rest of the Republican field to do the same.
Geoff Duncan
John Amis/AP
Christie stated in New Hampshire, "Anyone who is unwilling to say (Trump) is unfit to be president of the United States is unfit themselves to be president of the United States." He added, "I would rather lose by telling the truth than lie in order to win." It's true and time is running out for the remaining candidates to speak with the same level of clarity. With less than a week before Iowa's Republican caucus, Trump continues to lead in the Hawkeye State with a daunting 34.6-point lead, according to FiveThirtyEight.
In New Hampshire, the first-in-the-nation primary is just eight days away, and the latest CNN poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center has former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley trailing Trump by just seven points, with 39% to 32%.
Additionally, independents have the opportunity to vote in the GOP primary in New Hampshire. With President Joe Biden's name not appearing on the ballot in the Granite State, it is an important moment for Republican candidates to appeal to a wider audience beyond the Trump-enthralled base.
Instead of trying to win over the Trump-supporting base, Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis should focus on appealing to the majority of Republicans in New Hampshire who are in favor of a candidate other than the former president. During Wednesday night's debate in Iowa, they refrained from critiquing the frontrunner for anything other than not participating in the debate. Christie made a smart move by narrowing the field, as shown by the CNN poll, where he garnered 12% of the vote, almost double the margin separating Trump from Haley. Though the chances of defeating Trump may still be slim, they are better than they were at the beginning of the day.
Geoff Duncan, a CNN political contributor and Republican, served as Georgias lieutenant governor from 2019 to 2023.
Kate Bedingfield: Nikki Haley lacks authenticity
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley delivered a substantial and well-paced performance in the debate on Wednesday night. She demonstrated expertise in a wide range of policy areas and maintained a strong and unwavering line of criticism against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, labeling him as both desperate and untruthful.
Kate Bedingfield
(CNN)
She presented a much stronger case for a conservative presidency than Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, drawing on her experience as governor of a diverse state. She also emphasized her electability, pointing to polls showing her beating President Joe Biden head-to-head as evidence that she is the best bet in the Republican primary field.
However, despite her conservative views, she avoided taking a firm stance on key issues such as abortion and protecting democracy, which are likely to be important factors for voters in 2024. On the topic of abortion, Haley avoided specific language on national bans and instead spoke in more general terms about being pro-life. Despite this, she had previously stated that she would sign a six-week state ban on abortion if she were still governor.
When directly questioned about any significant differences between her and Trump regarding the Constitution, she went beyond her previous statements to acknowledge that Biden won the election and condemned the events of January 6. However, she stopped short of fully defending democracy.
This evasive positioning may enhance her appeal as a general election candidate, but it lacks sincerity. Her conservative track record could pose a challenge in a general election, as the Biden campaign will likely seek to portray her as a MAGA extremist at every opportunity.
Kate Bedingfield served as White House communications director in the Biden administration and was the deputy campaign manager on Bidens 2020 presidential campaign.
Jeff Yang: Im groaning at DeSantis pale pastels line and missing Vivek Ramaswamy
During the final Republican debate before Iowa, my thoughts were consumed by the glaring absence of a certain candidate who was sorely missed. Neither of the two remaining candidates did anything to prove their readiness for the primaries, let alone for the presidency.
Jeff Yang
CNN
That candidate? Vivek Ramaswamy, a force to be reckoned with.
Despite his nominal candidacy, he continues to make waves, still taking bold and unconventional stances from the sidelines - as evidenced by the controversial ad he released during the debate, a tangled web of conspiracy theories punctuated by a bleeped profanity. And yet, he remains more captivating than the strangely rigid and lackluster pair at Drake University.
None of the GOP's junior league contenders for presidency seemed likely to succeed, but the chaos and entertaining nature of debates intensified when Ramaswamy appeared, spraying foam-flecked nonsense in all directions. The only memorable moment from Wednesday night's lackluster final preseason debate was Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' odd attempt to criticize former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley for wearing pink. Whether a subtle jab at Haley's gender or an ill-conceived critique of her fashion sense, DeSantis' remarks fell flat and made him sound like a failed Project Runway contestant.
Jeff Yang is the co-author of the bestselling book, "RISE: A Pop History of Asian America from the Nineties to Now."
Susanne Ramirez de Arellano:Â Both candidates weaponized immigration
Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis squared off in the last GOP debate before the Iowa caucuses, predictably turning to immigration as their weapon of choice in an attempt to appeal to die-hard Donald Trump supporters and position themselves as frontrunners.
Susanne Ramirez de Arellano
Frank Moya
DeSantis stated, "The wall will be constructed and Mexico will indeed be the ones footing the bill, just as Donald Trump had promised." Additionally, Haley advocated for defunding sanctuary cities, held them responsible for the rise in crime, and supported the reinstatement of the "remain in Mexico" policy. Both individuals expressed support for mass deportations.
"We have to deport them because they're cutting the line," explained Haley. DeSantis added, "They all must go back. We need to uphold the law in this country."
The logistics of deporting 10 million people remained unclear. It seemed like more of the same rhetoric, labeling immigration as a "ticking time bomb," continuously mentioning the wall, and little else.
The discussion on Capitol Hill has shifted from finding ways to secure citizenship pathways and work permit solutions to focusing on keeping migrants out and implementing more authoritarian policies. The emphasis is now on phrases like "catch and deport" rather than immigration reform, reflecting the priorities of Trump voters. This change comes as part of the debate on approving additional aid to Ukraine.
Susanne Ramirez de Arellano, a writer and cultural critic, is a former news director for Univision Puerto Rico.
Patrick T. Brown: Debate revealed sharp contrast over woke corporations
The debate gained substance as it gained momentum. Instead of endlessly accusing, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley wasted time. In an attempt to avoid a one-and-done performance in Iowa, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made a wild swing, alleging that Haley was "fighting for her donors" rather than Republican voters, and even absurdly suggesting that she might be more liberal than California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Patrick T. Brown
Courtesy Patrick T. Brown
There was a real disagreement that highlighted an ongoing and unresolved debate on the right: whether the government's objective should be to step back and let things play out, or whether it needs to take a more active role. DeSantis staunchly defended signing laws that stripped the Walt Disney Company of certain privileges after the company advocated against laws surrounding sex- and gender-related content in elementary classrooms. His track record on "culture war" issues remains unimpeachable for the tired Republican primary base that is tired of seeing GOP elected officials give in.
On the other hand, Haley expressed the view that the government shouldn't "bully our businesses." This traditional limited-government sentiment may have garnered support from GOP pollster Frank Luntz, but it highlights a division on the right. Should the government stand up to corporations promoting a "woke" agenda, or should it take a hands-off approach?
The GOP will continue to be embroiled in these debates, but Republicans will not gain much clarity from former President Donald Trump's ideological flexibility. The hope of either candidate to pin down the former president rests on an Iowa surprise, as the debate did not show much sign of yielding results. Patrick T. Brown is a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, a conservative think tank and advocacy group in Washington, DC, and is a former senior policy adviser to the Congress Joint Economic Committee.
W. James Antle III: A lot of ifs for Haley
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley were in agreement on Wednesday night, asserting that former President Donald Trump should have been present on the debate stage with them to defend his record.
W. James Antle III
With the Iowa caucuses on Monday night potentially marking the end of DeSantis' campaign and Haley poised to make a significant impact in New Hampshire, the debate offered a glimpse into what a Haley-Trump showdown would entail, including potential areas where Haley could effectively challenge Trump.
DeSantis criticized Haley as a globalist advocate for the United Nations who would reduce domestic entitlements while sending money overseas, prioritizing Ukraine's borders over those of the United States. In response, Haley accused DeSantis of being untrustworthy and aligned with populism, labeling him as a liar. She also accused him of imitating Trump's tactics.
Haley's rhetoric against DeSantis indicated that she was positioning herself to challenge the Republican frontrunner. By using the phrase "make America proud again," she appeared to appropriate Trump's iconic slogan while implying that his term in office was not always a source of national pride. She also directly criticized his divisiveness and behavior during the January 6 Capitol riot.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie campaigned hard against Trump in a Republican primary, only to drop out on Wednesday. Some of DeSantis' anti-Haley attack lines might be more effective if delivered by Trump. If Haley can defeat DeSantis and resist Trump, it could pose a challenge for the frontrunner in avoiding debates and not benefit from sharing the stage with her. However, there are still many uncertainties for Haley.
W. James Antle III is the politics editor of the Washington Examiner and author of "Devouring Freedom: Can Government Ever Be Stopped?"
