DeSantis, Haley Spar in Final GOP Debate Before Iowa Caucuses
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley faced off in a one-on-one debate Wednesday night, days out from the Iowa caucuses.
The Stage: The debate stage shrunk further in the final debate of the Republican primary. Vivek Ramaswamy failed to qualify for the debate, and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie suspended his presidential campaign earlier on Wednesday. Republican frontrunner and former President Donald Trump did not participate in the debate, instead taking part in a town hall event on Fox News (Right bias).
The Candidates: DeSantis and Haley spend the night accusing the other of lying about their records and the records of their opponents. Haley criticized DeSantis’ underperformance so far in the race so far, and DeSantis criticized Haley’s record while serving as governor and Ambassador to the United Nations.
The Issues: The candidates rehashed many issues discussed in previous debates– education, federal spending, China, medicare, and cultural issues. Haley criticized the absent Trump for not participating in the debates, and DeSantis accused Trump of failing to deliver on campaign promises.
How the Media Covered It: Outlets across the spectrum framed coverage as missing a key piece in the puzzle– the frontrunner in the race. The Associated Press (Lean Left bias) stated the debate “came in the shadow” of Trump’s town hall. The Wall Street Journal (Center bias) and the Washington Times (Lean Right bias) both said the candidates on stage were competing to be an “alternative” to Trump.
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DeSantis and Haley jockey for second without Trump and other takeaways from Iowa GOP debate
There were only two Republicans on the presidential debate stage Wednesday, as former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis met for the highest-stake face off yet just five days before the nominating process formally starts with Iowa’s caucuses.
Haley and DeSantis’ spirited debate came in the shadow of a live town hall held by the man who is dominating the primary contest, Donald Trump. The former president, of course, has stayed away from all five debates, holding a rival town hall Wednesday on Fox News. The...
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The two-person race to become the sole alternative to Donald Trump in the GOP nomination race grew sharper Wednesday as Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley faced each other alone in a testy debate hours after the departure of the most vocal anti-Trump candidate.
Wednesday night’s face-off at Drake University, broadcast on CNN, started four hours after the race was jolted by the withdrawal of Chris Christie, who gave no indication that he would endorse anyone as he tore into Republicans for failing to mount a stronger challenge to Trump, the former president and GOP nomination front-runner.
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Haley, DeSantis trade accusations of lying to voters on Iowa debate stage
Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley strode onto the presidential debate stage in Iowa Wednesday night hoping to capitalize on recent momentum, bury Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and establish herself as the GOP’s major alternative to former President Donald Trump.
She and Mr. DeSantis immediately mixed it up, with Ms. Haley accusing her rival of lying about her record, and Mr. DeSantis saying she doesn’t have a political backbone.
“She caves,” Mr. DeSantis said. “When you need someone to stand and fight for you, you won’t be able to find her.”
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