DeSantis should probably wait until 2028. As for the rest, it’s not too late to pull a Pence and quit.
In last night’s Republican presidential debate, held without the presence of former President Donald Trump, five GOP candidates discussed various issues, including the Israel-Hamas conflict, abortion rights, and foreign policy. While the candidates showed strong support for Israel and condemned antisemitism, they did not address the protection of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
The debate highlighted the ongoing divisions within the Republican Party on foreign policy matters. Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie expressed more traditional Republican positions, advocating for military aid to Ukraine and increased military spending. On the other hand, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy positioned himself as a critic of bipartisan foreign policy and voiced his opposition to aid for Ukraine, making controversial remarks about Ukraine’s Jewish president. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appeared to straddle the divide, discussing immigration issues at times when asked about foreign policy matters.
Overall, the candidates aimed to outperform Trump, who remains the dominant frontrunner in the primary. While they faced questions about why they should be the Republican nominee instead of Trump, the candidates largely avoided directly attacking the former president, with DeSantis providing the strongest critique, albeit briefly. The absence of substantial attacks against Trump in the debate, despite his non-participation, reflects the challenges of challenging a candidate not on the stage. This event suggests why Trump may have chosen to skip such debates, as his popularity among the GOP base remains significant.
