Haley and DeSantis argued for two hours and everyone seemed to hate it

On Wednesday, Haley and DeSantis took to the CNN stage in the first Republican debate not sanctioned by the Republican National Committee (RNC), but former President Donald Trump, the clear front-runner, held a town hall. He joined FOX News for. Even though President Trump was the overwhelming favorite and had missed the chance to debate his challengers, it was out of sight and out of mind for Haley and DeSantis. (Related: 'Keep failing': Republicans to end debate season in Disney's arms)

The constant, misleading, and manipulative picking of each other's records is as ineffective as it is boring. What are these two doing?

— Isaac Schorr (@isaac_schorr) January 11, 2024

Despite Jake Tapper and Dana Bash's best efforts to include Trump in the debate, references to the Iowa leader were kept to a minimum.

Tapper's first two questions focused on Trump, asking the candidates to explain why voters in the Iowa caucuses should choose them over Trump. Within minutes of the program starting, the candidates immediately agreed.

“Every time he lies, Drake University, don't turn this into a drinking game, because you're going to be overserved by the end of the night,” Haley said, plugging her campaign site. He concluded his opening statement.DeSantislies.com”

“We're going to bring in another foul-mouthed politician who will tell you what you want to hear, just to try to get your votes, and then come to power and do the bidding of donors. We don’t need it,” DeSantis quipped.

“Rather than let him tell all these lies, go to DeSantisLies.com and look at them all…There are at least 24 lies he has told about me, and where the fact checkers say, “You can see what's going on. Exactly what happens,” Hailey replied in the comments.

Just nine minutes into the show, social media users seemed unhappy with the altercation.

“[H]Let me tell you, the early arguments, while not unexpected, made both parties feel pretty small. They delivered a critique that excited campaigners, but the tone may not be what voters were looking for,” said Scott Jennings, a Republican strategist. tweeted.

I'm glad we finally had the discussion I was looking for, and I'm starting to feel like drinking bleach.

— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) January 11, 2024

Mr. Tapper then asked the question again, asking the candidates whether they believed Mr. Trump had what it took to be president a second time.

DeSantis cited several areas where Trump has fallen short on his promises while in office, including building a border wall and reducing the debt, before pivoting his response to criticize Haley.

“I debated California Governor Gavin Newsom. I thought he was a big liar. Hey, Nikki Haley is accusing him of money. She's more liberal than Gavin Newsom. It could be,” DeSantis said, switching his response to offense. Candidates on stage.

The candidates continued to insult each other until the host put them head-on, asking Haley if she thought DeSantis shared her commitment to supporting Ukraine.

In response to Haley's insistence on continuing to arm Ukraine, DeSantis said, “People like Nikki Haley are more concerned about the border of Ukraine than our southern border, and that's wrong.'' “

While Ms. Haley continues to post numerous responses on her website detailing fact-checks about Mr. DeSantis' past statements, an upbeat Mr. Trump takes to Fox News to discuss potential vice presidential candidates. It stirred attention and speculation by teasing sexuality.

“Let me add more to your cabinet, who will be in your administration. If you are a candidate, which I think you would expect to be a candidate, but who will be in your administration? Would he be a vice presidential candidate?'' Fox host Martha McCallum wondered.

“Well, I can't really tell you. I mean, I know who it's going to be,” Trump responded.

The candidates went nearly 20 minutes into the second hour of the debate with little mention of the front-runner, and DeSantis ended up agreeing with Haley on one point: Trump He acknowledged that he should be on the debate stage.

Is there a way to see how many people are visiting this stupid website in Iowa? I would set the over/under to 26

— Brent Scher (@BrentScher) January 11, 2024

But the moment of peace was short-lived, as Ms. Haley answered questions, criticized Mr. DeSantis' spending on private planes, criticized his campaign, and posted on her website, DeSantislies.com. I repeatedly accessed it.

“It's unfortunate that we had to launch DeSantislies.com,” Haley said, arguing that DeSantis reversed the former state of South Carolina's policy of keeping bathrooms segregated based on biological sex. .

Haley has gone overboard with this website. This is more annoying than anything Vivek has ever done in debate, and that's a high bar. #CNNDebate

— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) January 11, 2024

The argument became so constant that at one point DeSantis used his time answering a question about his academic background to hit back at Haley's comments.

“We'll get to that in a minute,” DeSantis said, before claiming that Haley failed to achieve school choice in South Carolina during her time as governor.

Many seemed unappealed by Haley's website plug-in or DeSantis' attempts to challenge her record as governor. Most social media users were turned off.

“I 1704950283 Understand the general message of this discussion. It's this: we're all dead, and this is our hell,” says New York Post columnist John Podhoretz. I have written On Twitter.

“It's doubtful that so many rapid-fire accusations of lies and falsehoods will make any impression on anyone,” said Rich Lowery, editor-in-chief of National Review. tweeted.

Neither candidate is running for first place. It came out. pic.twitter.com/20IFZvn3QJ

— Erik Erickson (@EWErickson) January 11, 2024

Poking fun at the constant tension and arguments that occur on stage, Tapper and Bash tried to end the debate by asking Haley and DeSantis to name what they like best about each other. But even that question failed to elicit the love the host was looking for.

“There are a lot of great people there, and I think it's a huge accomplishment to be governor there. I'm really grateful to everyone I've met in South Carolina,” DeSantis said.

“I think he was a good governor,” Haley said only. CNN It is reported that it elicited “quiet laughter”.