Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis started off the GOP debate attacking his opponent, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, saying that “she caves anytime the left comes after her.” DeSantis said he is the only one of the candidates on stage that have delivered results and stood up to Democrats.
Quick Read
- DeSantis vs. Haley: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis opened the GOP debate with a direct attack on former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, accusing her of capitulating to the left.
- DeSantis’ Claim of Leadership: DeSantis highlighted his record in Florida, asserting he’s the only candidate who has consistently delivered results and stood up to Democrats.
- Haley’s Defense: Haley countered DeSantis’ accusations, asserting he was lying about her record. She defended her stance on a Florida bill regarding sexual orientation and gender identity education, saying she believed the bill didn’t go far enough.
- Ramaswamy’s Critique of Haley: Vivek Ramaswamy criticized Haley for her post-UN ambassador activities, including joining Boeing’s board and giving paid speeches, labeling her actions as corrupt.
- Christie’s Focus on Trump: Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie criticized his opponents for avoiding discussion about Donald Trump, whom he labeled as unfit and compared to Voldemort from the “Harry Potter” series.
- Christie’s Critique of Candidates’ Timidity: Christie called out the other candidates for their reluctance to speak against Trump, describing him as a dictator and bully.
Reuters has the story:
Candidates pile on attacks against Nikki Haley early in the debate
Newslooks- TUSCALOOSA, Alabama, Reuters
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis started off the GOP debate attacking his opponent, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, saying that “she caves anytime the left comes after her.”
DeSantis said he is the only one of the candidates on stage that have delivered results and stood up to Democrats.
Responding to the next question, Haley defended herself, saying DeSantis “continues to lie about my record.”
DeSantis said that Haley opposed a bill that he signed in Florida that banned certain instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom. Haley pushed back and said she thought the bill “didn’t go far enough.”
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy also piled on in his first remarks, saying she the former governor was responding to the will of donors and noting how she had joined the board of Boeing after stepping down as US ambassador to the United Nations and gave paid speeches “like Hillary Clinton.”
“That math does not add up. It adds up to the fact that you are corrupt,” he said.
Christie slams opponents for not discussing Trump
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie slammed his fellow GOP presidential candidates Wednesday for not discussing former President Donald Trump on the debate stage.
“The truth needs to be spoken. He is unfit,” Christie said in regard to Trump.
Chris Chistie
He referred to the former president as Voldemort — the antagonist in J.K. Rowling’s series “Harry Potter,” who is also known as “he-who-shall-not-be-named.”
“The fact is when you go and you say the truth about somebody who is a dictator, a bully who has taken shots at everybody — whether they’ve given him great service or not over time —who dares to disagree with him, then I understand why these three are timid to say anything about it,” Christie said.
