The US is on Israel’s side – the Republican presidential candidates agreed on that. However, they were divided on the subject of Ukraine. But the third television debate wasn’t just about content.
The US Republican presidential candidates tried again to make a name for themselves in a third television debate. Five Republicans were on stage in Miami on Wednesday evening (local time), but in polls they are all far behind their internal party competitor, Donald Trump. The ex-US President also stayed away from the third debate. The focus of the discussion was primarily on foreign policy.
The Republican candidates united in their complaint that the country was going down the drain under Democratic President Joe Biden. Everyone also expressed unity with regard to supporting Israel in the war against Hamas, which rules in the Gaza Strip.
Support for Netanyahu, contempt for Hamas
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he would recommend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “finish the job with those butchers Hamas once and for all.” “They are terrorists. They massacre innocent people. They would wipe every Jew off the face of the earth if they could,” said the right-wing hardliner.
Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley said, among other things, that the US must support Israel with “whatever they need.” “The last thing we should do is tell Israel what it should do.” The 51-year-old is in third place in polls behind Trump and DeSantis.
Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy said Israel has “the right and obligation to defend itself.” Netanyahu should “smoke out” Hamas.
The issue of Ukraine divides the candidates
The presidential candidates were less agreed on further support for Ukraine in the Russian war of aggression. While Haley and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie argued for further military aid to Kiev, DeSantis, Ramaswamy and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott were skeptical. “We have to ensure that Europeans do their fair share,” said DeSantis.
Scott said that for further aid there must first be transparency about how the funds are used. Ramaswamy sharply criticized Ukraine and called President Volodymyr Zelensky a “Nazi” and a “comedian in cargo pants.”
Between high heels and “scum”
Other major topics were also discussed, such as the conflicts with China and Iran, migration, abortion and the drug crisis in the country. In some cases, the presidential candidates also attacked each other personally – particularly often in the direction of Haley. DeSantis addressed the 51-year-old openly on several occasions, including on the subject of China. DeSantis had long been considered Trump’s most promising internal party competitor. However, the governor is weakening in the election campaign, while Haley is gaining ground in the polls.
Above all, Ramaswamy took aim at Haley in almost every speech. The 38-year-old mockingly referred to Haley as “Dick Cheney in seven centimeter high heels” in reference to the former US Vice President. She countered that her shoes were twelve centimeters high and that she didn’t use them for fashion reasons, but rather as ammunition. When Ramaswamy remarked on the contentious issue surrounding the video platform TikTok that Haley doesn’t have her own family under control because she demonizes TikTok while her daughter uses the service, the Republican replied: “You’re just scum.”
Trump stayed away again
Meanwhile, the absent former President Trump held a rally in front of several thousand supporters – less than 20 kilometers away. There he again suggested that the Republican Party should cancel future debates. “It’s time for the Republican establishment to stop wasting time and resources,” he said, adding that the debate was “unwatchable.”
Trump has been leading the polls of Republican candidates by a huge margin for months. He currently has an average of between 56 and 58 percent on the websites “RealClearPolitics” and “FiveThirtyEight” – a lead of more than 40 points over second-placed DeSantis.
The primary election for the Republican presidential nomination begins on January 15th in the state of Iowa. The winner of the primary will challenge Democrat Joe Biden, who is seeking a second term in the White House, on November 5, 2024.