WTAS: DeSantis is “More Substantive” Than Haley in His “Best Debate Performance”
“Strong night for DeSantis.” “A proven track record.” “Calm, collected, and the longer this debate has gone on, he's still firing.” “DeSantis won this evening’s #GOPDebate.”
DES MOINES, Iowa — Ron DeSantis had a smackdown debate performance at Drake University tonight. He highlighted his vision for the country while also calling out Trump for not defending his record on the debate stage and highlighting Haley’s flip-flops on issues that matter to Republican voters.
Here’s What They Are Saying:
Brittany Jean: This is DeSantis’ best debate. He knows the facts are on his side and he is using them all to destroy Nikki Haley
Scott Jennings: DeSantis smart to steer it back to the education policy/school choice stuff, away from Haley going nuts on campaign inside baseball. #CNNdebate
Frank Luntz: DeSantis won this evening’s #GOPDebate. His performance was the best of his career.
Abby Phillip: It was a strong night for DeSantis.
Curtis Houk: .@RonDeSantis is exactly right. This election must be a referendum on Joe Biden and "the failures of the Democratic Party." If it's about trials and relitigating the last election, then it'll be an election the media can't wait for and voters will act accordingly.
Michael Brendan Dougherty: In general, DeSantis is more substantive. He’s done his homework. Nikki Haley is more relatable, if you are currently tired and unpleasant.
LG Jeanette Nuñez: .@RonDeSantis has a proven track record of delivering results. Unlike Nikki Haley, he won’t bend the knee or cave to the left.
Dana Loesch: This is the worst debate Haley has had. She comes across as Hillary 2.0: petty, whiny, playing the woman card, while DeSantis seems confident and amused.
Katie Pavlich: DeSantis promises a reckoning against the federal government agencies that violated the U.S. Constitution during the pandemic. Vaccine mandates, mask mandates, school lockdowns, closing of worship, all of it. 👏🏼
Scott Jennings: "ballistic podiatry" - that will remain with us for awhile. #CNNdebate
Miranda Devine: This incessant sniping from Haley, calling DeSantis a liar every two minutes, is grating. DeSantis got in one zinger, which drew a few laughs, accusing her of “ballistic podiatry” aka shooting herself in the foot.
Curtis Houck: Ron DeSantis is calm, collected, and the longer this debate has gone on, he's still firing. He's not tired or flustered. #GOPDebate
Steve Deace: Haley is rushed and just noticeably less poised. Her substance, for her message, isn’t all that bad and she’s doing better there than I anticipated. But the presentation isn’t presidential. On style points, DeSantis is dominating.
Scott Jennings: DeSantis is channeling the correct attitude and energy on immigration. Haley using the "jump the line" idea also effective, but I think DeSantis won the exchange. #CNNdebate
NRO: Once again, DeSantis is talking about actual accomplishments, such as getting school choice done, and Haley keeps responding by attacking DeSantis campaign spending and bad polling.
Scott Jennings: DeSantis UN quip on Haley will stick. Yowza. That one cut deep. #CNNdebate
Julia Johnson: That DeSantis one liner was good
Rich Lowry: Nikki Haley has spent a lot of the night looking annoyed
Philip Wegmann: DeSantis with a brutal barb: You can take the ambassador out of the United Nations but you can't take the United Nations out of the ambassadors.
New York Post: DeSantis savages Haley's 'UN way of thinking'
New York Post: DeSantis cites kid's 'John Kerry' burn to hit Haley on child gender transitions
Scott Jennings: not a single voter cares about the inside baseball of campaign operations.
Ryan Saavedra: If your only rebuttal to your opponent is repeatedly telling people to go to a website full of half truths and political spin, you're not a strong candidate.
Chris Loesch: 🔥 “Leadership is about getting things done.” ~ @RonDeSantis
Philip Wegmann: At the first commercial break: DeSantis is giving arguably his best debate performance yet (ie the UN line) Haley is hitting back just as hard, giving him 'the Vivek treatment' (ie the drinking game line) Tapper and Bash are steering the debate toward substance and policy.
Steve Deace: DeSantis is very composed and poised thus far, and clearly coming across as more presidential. However, I also think he’s missed a couple of easy rebuts/punches that would’ve only required going off his play sheet briefly.
Dana Loesch: DeSantis is smart to bring every issue right back to a jab at Haley and refuse to let Trump be a focus without being present.
Frank Luntz: ...I’ve been critical of him, but he’s on fire tonight. #GOPDebate
Scott Jennings: DeSantis UN quip on Haley will stick. Yowza. That one cut deep. #CNNdebate
Ryan Saavedra: If your only rebuttal to your opponent is repeatedly telling people to go to a website full of half truths and political spin, you're not a strong candidate.
Miranda Devine: Haley coming across as very unlikeable tonight. Not sure if the tactic was to get under DeSantis’ skin but it hasn’t worked and has just backfired.
