Republican Aspirants Critique Trump and Advocate for Israel: Key Points from the GOP Debate

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In a pivotal bid to position themselves as the principal challenger to ex-President Donald Trump, five GOP presidential hopefuls convened for a pivotal debate on Wednesday.

Absent for the third consecutive time, Trump cited his substantial lead in polls as the reason for skipping the debate, a move that has characterized the first two events as well. The stage saw its fair share of significant exchanges, with discussions centering on the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the fate of abortion rights, and Trump’s influence.

With the Iowa caucuses on the horizon for January 15, it remains doubtful that the debate will markedly alter the course of the GOP nomination race.

Notable Insights from the Debate:

Foreign Policy Takes Center Stage

The debate offered a more incisive discussion on foreign policy, a first since the onset of hostilities between Israel and Hamas. The candidates demonstrated a unanimous stance in supporting Israel, while expressing concern over rising antisemitism, notably in progressive academic institutions. However, the discourse notably skirted the issue of safeguarding Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

Divergent Views on Global Conflicts

The debate brought to light the GOP’s internal divisions on foreign policy, especially regarding the Ukraine conflict, potential Chinese aggression toward Taiwan, and strategies for dealing with Venezuela’s oil sector.

Prominent figures like Nikki Haley, Senator Tim Scott, and ex-Governor Chris Christie echoed established Republican perspectives, advocating for military support to Ukraine, substantial military investment, and a comprehensive approach to global conflicts.

Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy set himself apart by criticizing what he perceived as bipartisan foreign policy missteps that led to repeated failings in international conflicts. He notably criticized Ukraine’s president, controversially labeling him a “Nazi”.

Governor Ron DeSantis appeared to straddle this divide, deflecting questions on Ukraine and China to discuss reinforcing the southern border and proposing the deportation of immigrants from the Middle East.

The division over Ukraine was subtle but evident, leaving uncertainty about how these candidates would act if elected to the presidency.

The Challenge of Surpassing Trump

All candidates aim to surpass Trump in the primaries. Yet, they have largely avoided direct confrontations with him. This avoidance became more challenging during the first debate not affiliated with Trump-supportive Fox News, as NBC News moderators pressed the candidates to justify their candidacy over Trump’s.

DeSantis was particularly forthright, albeit briefly, suggesting Trump owes it to GOP voters to participate and defend his record.

Other candidates were less confrontational. Ramaswamy placed blame on the Republican National Committee rather than Trump for the GOP’s recent electoral setbacks. Haley subtly referenced the national debt under Trump, Scott emphasized appealing to independent voters, and Christie briefly mentioned Trump’s legal entanglements.

This reluctance to engage in pointed attacks against an absent Trump perhaps reflects the difficulty of challenging someone not present, but also a cautious approach from the candidates.

The Clash of Haley and Ramaswamy

The animosity between Haley and Ramaswamy was pronounced, with both repeatedly clashing. Ramaswamy took an aggressive stance, targeting Haley with pointed remarks. The most contentious moment came when he brought Haley’s daughter into the debate, drawing a stern rebuke from Haley, who called him “scum”.

Ramaswamy’s combative approach, while making him a dominant presence in the debates, has not translated into political gain and often overshadows other candidates.

Addressing Abortion

The GOP has struggled with a cohesive stance on abortion post-Roe v. Wade. Haley attempted to chart a nuanced course for the party.

Haley approached the topic with a personal touch, advocating for a focus on late-term abortion bans and supportive measures for mothers, rather than deepening divisions.

The male candidates, on the other hand, stuck to more traditional GOP rhetoric, with DeSantis condemning Democrats for lack of time restrictions on abortions and Scott echoing these sentiments.

While Haley’s message may resonate with some demographics, it diverges from the fervor of core Republican activists.

A Race for Second Place

The debate suggested the primary contest is essentially a battle for being the second choice, with no candidate coming close to Trump. The candidates seem to be positioning themselves as the preferable alternative in the unlikely event Trump’s candidacy is derailed.

Even Christie, who based his campaign on direct confrontation with Trump, held back unless directly questioned.

As the debates continue to unfold in a political landscape defined by Trump’s absence, the primary seems to be operating in a speculative realm where the candidates jockey for secondary positions.

The question remains: Will these debates have any material impact on the race, or will the unpredictable nature of politics in the Trump era bring yet another twist?

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More about Republican presidential debate

• Republican Debate Highlights
• GOP’s Approach to Israel and Hamas
• The GOP and Abortion Rights Post-Roe
• Republican Candidates on Foreign Policy
• Challenges in Overtaking Trump
• GOP Candidates’ Stance on Ukraine War
• Ramaswamy and Haley’s Debate Feud
• Republican Primary Strategy