What You Missed From The Republican Debates

DeSantis and C-List Republicans locked horns in better lighting

The presidential debates without former President Trump feel like Roseanne without Roseanne Barr, Nsync without Justin Timberlake, or Sonny without Cher. While you could get up and turn it on… the remote is way over there… and this chair is pretty comfy… and this rerun of Property Brothers looks pretty good so… ZzzzZZZzzz

Fortunately, I jumped on this grenade so you do not have to!

Although Trump was not at the debate, his shadow loomed large, especially given recent polling that Trump could defeat Biden in 5 of the 6 swing states. The debate can be best summarized as DeSantis sparring with empty suits but in substantially better lighting than the last debate.

Glaring Errors

This debate focused on the state of the economy yet immigration, the largest issue facing the country, was not a major focus.

• Only DeSantis persistently stayed on the issue of building the wall and using lethal force against drug traffickers.

• Haley tried to take a tough stance on immigration but flubbed and accidentally said “we will return to catch-and-release instead of catch-and-deport”.

• Notably, Haley did not say she will build the wall which is the only immigration policy that can not be immediately reversed when a pro-immigration Democrat or Republican takes office.

Abortion

In the wake of several defeats on abortion for pro-lifers, almost every candidate dodged the abortion question, eschewing putting an exact point at which they would ban abortion.

• Tim Scott stood out by supporting a 15-week federal ban on abortion. However, Scott seemed to not notice that pro-lifers fought for decades to have abortion returned to the states, and returning abortion to federal jurisdiction would be an offense to this effort. Haley pointed out that when fellow South Carolina Senator Lindsay Graham introduced a bill to ban abortion federally at 15 weeks, Scott did not co-sponsor the bill.

Economics

• Chris Christie attacked Warren Buffett–– in case Buffett draws Social Security–– which Christie does not know if he does. Thanks, Christie. Great point. Very well said.

• Ramaswamy made the point that Social Security can only be saved for current retirees if we cease spending on endless and pointless foreign wars. Finally, something Middle America can agree with.

• Tim Scott answered a question about the economy by saying he was raised by a “single mother.” and a question about Social Security with some long, winding statement about farms in Iowa; this prompted a universal exclamation of both debate watchers around the country saying “who cares?”

Major Themes: Nikki Haley Continues Flexing Her Lack of Talent

(Source: screengrab, NBC News Republican Presidential Debate)

The Republican debaters are there to debate each other and yet Haley could not hold everyone’s attention. At one point Ramaswamy and Scott can be seen chatting while Haley droned on about something.

• Vivek Ramaswamy called Haley “Dick Cheney in 3-inch heels.” Haley clarified that they are 5-inch heels. Ramaswamy associated Haley with one of the most unpopular people in the party, and she did not even deny it.

• In case there was any question, Haley called Ramaswamy ‘Scum”, making it obvious they hate each other.

Interesting Moment

After the debate, Ramaswamy appeared to go after someone in the audience who is believed to have been RNC Chair Ronna Romney McDaniel. McDaniel, or opposition/support for McDaniel had been a topic of debate earlier in the night with Ramaswamy attacking the Chairmen. At the time of this writing, there has been no audio obtained from the exchange.

(Source: screengrab, NBC News Republican Presidential Debate)

The first interaction can be seen as Ramaswamy appears to be shouting at or arguing with someone in the audience, after the debate.

(Source: screengrab, NBC News Republican Presidential Debate)

The second moment came moments later when Ramaswamy knelt to engage directly with McDaniel.

Another interesting moment came when moderator Hugh Hewett asked the candidates about spyware on TikTok and concerns about its use as a foreign propaganda tool, immediately after NBC accepted advertising dollars from TikTok and ran an ad for the Chinese social media giant in the preceding commercial segment.

Funny Moments

• There were still too many people on the stage and Chris Christie was 3 of them.

• Tim Scott shocked everyone by having made the cut for the third Republican debate despite having the stage presence of a house plant.

(Source: screengrab, NBC News Republican Presidential Debate)

• Something was going on with Haley’s hair resulting in her highlights and scalp baring an unatrual yellow hue.

• Christie said “man and woman power” as if he is unaware that “manpower” is a gender-neutral term.

Winner

Ron DeSantis