Republican presidential contenders strive to narrow the gap with the notable absence of Donald Trump in their recent debate. These contenders, in their first debate since the Israel-Hamas conflict’s eruption, exhibited unanimous, unwavering support for Israel, yet displayed division in their stances concerning China and Ukraine. The imperative to challenge Trump’s dominance with the Iowa caucuses approaching in merely two months has driven many candidates to scrutinize one another. In this endeavor, they have underscored their differences on foreign policy while critiquing Trump’s postures toward Israel’s Prime Minister in the aftermath of Hamas’ attack.
Notable participants in this debate included Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, who have both drawn attention in recent national polls. Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and former United Nations ambassador, articulated a firm stance against China, vowing to sever trade relations until the issue of fentanyl-related American deaths is addressed. In response, Governor DeSantis pointed out Haley’s previous hospitality toward Chinese investments in Florida, hinting at land and economic development agreements. The acrimony between the two candidates has intensified in recent weeks, with both campaigns scrutinizing each other’s positions on the Israel-Hamas conflict and U.S.-China relations, as the Republican Party increasingly adopts a confrontational stance toward Beijing.
This debate revolved around the urgent need for the candidates to compete with Trump, as they seek to establish themselves as viable alternatives to the former president. Although they all expressed strong support for Israel in its Gaza offensive following the October 7th attack by Hamas, they did not delve into the issue of humanitarian aid for Gazan civilians. Instead, their focus remained on underlining their commitment to Israel and their determination to combat antisemitism on college campuses.
The rivalry between DeSantis and Haley has become a focal point, as Haley has garnered attention in key Iowa polls and secured support from donors and voters. Both campaigns, along with affiliated Super PACs, have engaged in a back-and-forth concerning China, a prominent issue in Republican primaries.
In addition to DeSantis and Haley, the debate featured South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. They confronted the formidable challenge of differentiating themselves from Trump, who maintained a substantial lead in the polls, despite his efforts to contest the 2020 election results, his support for individuals involved in the January 6th, 2021 Capitol breach, and his ongoing legal troubles.
DeSantis and Haley have also diverged on the topic of abortion rights, a sensitive issue for Republicans in light of the Supreme Court’s recent reversal of Roe v. Wade. Their campaigns have engaged in a protracted dispute over China, a longstanding issue in GOP primaries.
During the debate, Ramaswamy attempted to position himself as a prominent voice. He openly challenged his fellow candidates, particularly Haley, in a bid to assert his own presence in the debate. The contentious exchange between them revolved around the social media app TikTok, which some Republicans wish to ban due to its Chinese parent company’s affiliations. This exchange saw Haley accusing Ramaswamy of targeting her daughter’s TikTok account, leading to a heated exchange between the two candidates.
Despite the heated contest among Republican contenders, Donald Trump’s absence loomed over the debate, as the moderators questioned each candidate about their capacity to challenge him. DeSantis challenged Trump to provide a compelling rationale for another presidential bid. Haley, while drawing some support from voters and donors, criticized Trump’s shifting position on Ukraine, suggesting that he had become less resolute.
Trump remains the front-runner by a considerable margin, as he endeavors to secure substantial victories in early primary states and extend his lead. DeSantis, in his capacity as Florida’s governor, has underlined his commitment to Israel by facilitating the evacuation of Americans from Israel, disbanding pro-Palestinian university groups, and facilitating the delivery of weapons and supplies to Israel. In contrast, Haley, a former governor and Trump’s UN ambassador, has championed the Israeli government.
As the Iowa caucuses draw nearer, the pressure on Republican contenders to challenge Trump’s dominance and distinguish themselves from one another intensifies. The acrimonious exchanges during the debate underscore the growing divide within the Republican Party, particularly concerning foreign policy matters and relations with China.
By AP
