Debate 5: Haley's Honesty and Moral Clarity Shines
DES MOINES, Iowa – Ron DeSantis attacked Nikki Haley from his first moment on the debate stage because his campaign is hanging by a thread. Nikki exposed his lies, flip-flops, and blatant hypocrisy with grit and grace. While DeSantis dodged and dithered, Haley offered honesty and moral clarity on Ukraine, supporting Israel, immigration, spending, protecting Social Security and more.
What people are saying…
Caroline Vakil, The Hill: Haley wears on DeSantis: 'I think I hit a nerve'
Ryan King, New York Post: Haley hits DeSantis for campaigning with 'most anti-Israel Republican'
The Hill: Haley blasts DeSantis over state of campaign: ‘How can you manage a country?’
RealClear Politics: Nikki Haley Blasts Ron DeSantis: His Campaign Has Blown Through $150 Million And Has Nothing To Show For It
Nidia Cavazos, CBS News: Haley: "If he can't handle the financial parts of a campaign, how is he going to handle the economy when it comes to the White House?"
Dylan Wells, Washington Post: Haley with another hit on DeSantis' campaign (which she earlier in debate said is "exploding"): "If you can’t manage a campaign, how are you going to manage a country?"
Rich Lowry, National Review: Haley’s attacks on the failings of the DeSantis operation are brutal and there’s not a great rejoinder
Diana Glebova, New York Post: Haley again rips DeSantis campaign spending: 'I think I struck a nerve'
Frank Lutz: “Government shouldn’t bully business” is one of Nikki’s best lines. I know Republicans agree. #GOPDebate
Frank Lutz: “When I got to the UN, we took off the ‘Kick Me’ sign” is a really smart line by Nikki Haley. #GOPDebate
John Podhoretz, Commentary: It's despicable that DeSantis wants to portray Haley as some kind of pro-UN bureaucrat. She did what you're supposed to do as the US ambassador to the UN, which is serve as the institution's most powerful critic. He knows that. It just stinks.
Tiana Lowe Doescher, Washington Examiner: Thank the lord: Nikki Haley proudly and correctly says that the Social Security retirement age for millennials should be raised — AS IT SHOULD BE
Phillip Klein, National Review: DeSantis claiming that Social Security isn’t an “entitlement” and that it should not be called “welfare” is an egregious statement more appropriate for Bernie Sanders than for a Republican debate.
The Hill: Haley calls out DeSantis for saying he would 'never raise' Social Security retirement age
Scott Jennings, CNN: Haley gave a crisp and passionate answer on Ukraine, and correctly says we don't have to choose this or that. DeSantis gave the answer that most matches the GOP primary electorate. But Haley stuck to her guns and it’s admirable. #CNNdebate
Steve Peoples, AP: Nikki Haley: “These fellas don’t know how to talk about abortion.”
Scott Jennings, CNN: Haley has a detailed and strong answer on dealing with China. #CNNdebate
Jeff Blehar, National Review: Haley is far more liberated by her position (competing in New Hampshire, rather than Iowa) to criticize Trump for his authoritarian impulses, but she’s also done a better job of it; painting Trump as an endless chaos agent is a stronger attack against him than his opponents ever seem to realize.
