Republican Contenders Pledge Allegiance to Israel and Clash on China and Ukraine in the Third Debate

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At the first debate held amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, Republican presidential hopefuls collectively expressed unwavering support for Israel. However, they found less common ground on the issues of China and Ukraine, amid increasing urgency to narrow the lead of the absent Donald Trump.

The tension was palpable between Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, the latter of whom has been polling closely behind DeSantis’ second-place standing in several national surveys. The candidates prioritized discussions on foreign policy rather than focusing on Trump’s legacy.

Ex-South Carolina governor and ex-UN ambassador, Haley, pledged to sever trade with China “until they halt the flood of fentanyl that is killing Americans — a commitment she pointed out DeSantis had not made.” DeSantis retorted by highlighting Haley’s previous welcoming stance on Chinese investments in her state, referencing a particular land deal during her governorship.

The candidates are feeling the heat with the Iowa caucuses approaching in just over two months, as they seek to erode Trump’s substantial lead in the 2024 primaries and position themselves as the definitive Trump alternative. However, it remains uncertain if Republican primary voters are seeking such an alternative. Trump’s conspicuous absence from the debate is seen as a strategy to divert attention from his competitors.

Trump’s relevance was underscored when the moderators’ opening question asked each candidate to present their case against him. DeSantis argued that Trump should be present to justify why he deserves another term, suggesting that Trump’s effectiveness has diminished since his 2016 victory. DeSantis accused him of not fully executing his “America First” agenda.

In a debate that was marked by few direct confrontations, Haley and DeSantis continued to spar, this time over China — a familiar target in GOP primaries. Their respective super PACs have been trading accusations in early primary states, each alleging that the other is too lenient on Beijing.

Haley also labeled DeSantis a “liberal” on environmental issues due to his opposition to fossil fuel extraction through fracking along Florida’s coast. DeSantis countered that while he supports fracking, he opposes oil drilling in the Florida Everglades, a sentiment he believes is shared by most Floridians.

Abortion emerged as a contentious topic following the Democrats’ recent victories in several state elections, where abortion rights were a key issue. DeSantis, having signed into law a six-week abortion ban in Florida, acknowledged the anti-abortion movement’s lack of mobilization. Haley, noted for her approach to discussing abortion, called for Republicans to acknowledge the absence of Congressional support for a national abortion ban, proposing instead to seek common ground on issues such as late-term abortion bans and contraception access without punishing women who seek abortions.

Other candidates who graced the stage included Sen. Tim Scott from South Carolina, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

Scott invoked his faith, aligning with the Christian electorate in Iowa, while Christie stood firm on supporting Ukraine against Russia’s aggression, framing it as the cost of global leadership. Meanwhile, Ramaswamy, known for challenging his opponents, clashed with Haley, particularly over the TikTok controversy.

All candidates vocally backed Israel in response to the recent hostilities initiated by Hamas, but the debate did not address the humanitarian implications for Gaza’s civilian population. The candidates did, however, express intentions to address antisemitism on college campuses.

Despite Trump’s lead, his attempts to contest the 2020 election results, his support for the January 6 Capitol riot defendants, his multiple criminal indictments, and a civil fraud case, his campaign remains focused on overwhelming DeSantis, especially in Florida, and on clinching early primary states to secure the nomination.

Trump, showcasing his Latino voter support, held a rally in Hialeah, endorsed by figures such as Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, comedian Roseanne Barr, and fighter Jorge Masvidal. He dismissed the debate’s significance, boasting about the rally’s challenges compared to a debate stage.

The aftermath of the debate saw Trump’s senior adviser dismissing it as futile, while the Republican National Committee chairwoman anticipated Trump’s continued absence from future debates, emphasizing his unique campaign strategy.

This report is supplemented by contributions from Big Big News reporter Adriana Gomez Licon in Hialeah, Florida, and Meg Kinnard in Columbia, South Carolina.

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More about Presidential Candidates

• GOP candidates voice support for Israel and spar over Ukraine in debate: Source article for the debate details.
• 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries: Background information on the 2024 Republican primaries.
• Donald Trump: Information about Donald Trump’s political career and strategies.
• Israel-Hamas conflict: Background on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
• China-U.S. relations: Information on the complex relationship between China and the United States.
• Ukraine-Russia relations: Background on the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
• Abortion debate in the United States: Information on the ongoing abortion debate in the U.S.
• Environmental issues in Florida: Information on environmental concerns and fracking in Florida.
• 2020 United States presidential election: Background on the 2020 U.S. presidential election and its aftermath.