In a pivotal Republican presidential debate held in Alabama on Wednesday, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley found herself at the center of criticism from her fellow candidates, despite not leading the race. The frontrunner, Donald Trump, was notably absent from the event, allowing the spotlight to fall on Haley, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
Haley, who has seen a surge in popularity recently, faced pointed attacks from DeSantis and Ramaswamy. DeSantis challenged Haley’s stance on transgender health care, a claim she firmly denied. Ramaswamy took a more direct approach, questioning Haley’s integrity due to her Wall Street backing and her role on the Boeing board, bluntly labeling her as “corrupt”. Haley defended her record and dismissed these criticisms as jealousy over her financial support.
The debate revealed a tightening race in key states, with Haley now virtually tied with DeSantis in Iowa and leading in New Hampshire. However, the shadow of Trump loomed large over the event. Christie, trailing in the polls, took the opportunity to criticize his rivals for their reluctance to openly challenge Trump, likening the former president to a fictional villain and branding him a “dictator”.
DeSantis’s response to a prompt about Trump was seen as evasive. While he pointed out Trump’s age as a potential issue, he quickly shifted to defending Trump against Democratic criticisms. Christie seized on this, accusing DeSantis of avoiding direct answers about Trump’s suitability for office.
Haley, who has faced her own share of criticism for not being sufficiently critical of Trump, took a firmer stance when discussing China. She accused Trump of failing to curb the influx of fentanyl from China and allowing Chinese investors to purchase American land. DeSantis, however, redirected the issue towards Haley, accusing her of facilitating Chinese investment during her tenure as South Carolina governor and being influenced by “Wall Street liberal donors”.
The debate underscored the complex dynamics within the Republican field, highlighting both the influence of Trump and the emerging rivalries among the candidates. As the primaries approach, these tensions are expected to intensify, shaping the Republican race for the presidential nomination.
