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DeSantis, Haley spar in yet another GOP debate without Trump: ANALYSIS

2024-01-12 00:00:00.0 ABC新闻-政治新闻原网页

DeSantis, Haley spar in yet another GOP debate without Trump: ANALYSIS His challengers criticized the front-runner only sparingly.

By Averi Harper

January 11, 2024, 9:09 PM

3:57

Former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron De...Show MoreShow More

Mike Segar/Reuters

As Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley squared off in the final debate before Iowa caucusgoers cast ballots, the pair dealt more personal blows to one another than in the direction of the GOP frontrunner -- former President Donald Trump.

All the while, Trump took part in televised town hall on a friendly conservative network. The attempt at counterprogramming allowed Trump to position himself to siphon away the spotlight from his distant competitors.

While DeSantis and Haley bickered, Trump looked past the primary process announcing to his audience that he had already decided on a running mate though he didn't indicate who it might be. He told the audience that DeSantis was doing "poorly" in the race and later told ABC News that Haley "doesn't have a chance" in the fast-approaching New Hampshire primary.

Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump reacts during a Fox News Channel town hall ahead of the caucus vote in Des Moines, Iowa, Jan. 10, 2024.

Scott Morgan/Reuters

MORE: 5 takeaways from the Republican debate with Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley

On the debate stage, Trump's absence was addressed sparingly by the candidate. .

"I wish Donald Trump was up here on this stage. He is the one that I'm running against," said Haley. "He's the one that I wish would be here. He needs to be defending his record."

"Donald Trump should be on this stage," DeSantis later added.

Over two hours of debate, Nikki Haley repeatedly plugged a website linking to explanations of what she called DeSantis' "lies." DeSantis called Haley a "mealy-mouthed politician." Their references to Trump were far more tepid. To Haley, Trump was the "right president at the right time." DeSantis said he "appreciated what Trump did" during his presidency.

Former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis shake hands during the Republican presidential debate hosted by CNN at Drake University in Des Moines...Show more ---Show more

Mike Segar/Reuters

MORE: College-educated voters aren't saving Nikki Haley — yet

When asked to respond to questions pertaining to Trump, the pair carefully maneuvered to avoid riling a GOP base in which the former president is still popular. DeSantis and Haley handled Trump with kid gloves but used boxing gloves on each other.

This debate seemingly took place in a bubble in which the reality of Trump's dominance in this GOP primary somehow hasn't taken root. The debate came the same day as Chris Christie, the most vocal critic of Trump in the race, suspended his campaign. In debates past, it was often Christie that reminded the field of the massive challenge that Trump posed to their paths to the nomination.

MORE: Chris Christie just left the 2024 Republican primary. Now what?

Days before the first contest of the primary season, Trump is more than 48 points ahead nationally and 34 points ahead in Iowa, according to FiveThirtyEight's polling average.

As the number of candidates dwindles, there may soon only be Trump to spar with. Eventually these candidates will have to directly address Trump in an attempt to sway voters in their direction.

Related Topics Republican Primary Ron DeSantis Nikki Haley Donald Trump 2024 Elections

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