Trump's Appointment Is Fueling Debate Among Republican Primary Candidates

Fox News host Bret Breier said former President Donald Trump is “the elephant that’s not in the room.” And that comment was enough to spark the first debate among Republican primary candidates for the 2024 presidential election. Tension peaked when the eight candidates were asked if they would support Trump if he won the primary despite being convicted of a felony. That question led to another question about whether former Vice President Mike Pence, who took part in the debate, was right when he sided with Trump in defense of the Constitution on Jan. 6, the day of the attack on the Capitol. All who spoke supported Pence.

The candidates debated Ukraine, climate change, abortion and the economy. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who ranks second in the polls but trails far behind the former president, tried to attack President Joe Biden, avoided direct criticism of Trump, defended the use of “deadly force” against drug posters on the border and highlighted the accomplishments of his tenure, but it was his moment of indecision that went viral. And while he is currently Trump’s closest rival, he has failed to dominate the debate. His performance on Wednesday night is unlikely to help him close the gap on Trump.

Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy — surprise Republicans who ranks third in the polls — thrust himself into the limelight as a self-confessed Trumpist by praising the former president, his climate denial and his proposal to end support for Ukraine. Though he faced some sharp retorts, he outshined DeSantis.

Mike Pence spent much of his time defending his loyalty to the Constitution by refusing to reverse Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory. Former UN ambassador to Trump, Nikki Haley, defended her foreign policy experience and opposed a law banning abortion nationwide. Former governors Chris Christie and Asa Hutchinson have been harassed for their criticism of Trump. Senator Tim Scott failed to make a point, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum contributed little.

Trump supports

Up until an hour into the debate, there had been little mention of Trump, who preferred not to get involved. The presenters then asked participants to raise their hands if they would support Trump should he be nominated by the party, but was also condemned. The question added to the tension of the debate in muggy Milwaukee, which warned of extreme heat. Everyone but Christie and Hutchinson raised their hands.

However, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was reluctant to raise his hand and first appeared to pay attention to what others were doing, which was criticized as “pathetic” by the Trump campaign. DeSantis felt uncomfortable about that, even more so after criticizing Trump supporters. “This election is not about January 6, 2021, it’s about January 20, 2025,” he said. The governor also made no attempt to question whether Pence had done the right thing. “We have to look ahead,” I insisted. Finally, under pressure from both the former vice president and the presenters, DeSantis said, “Mike has done his duty. I have no problem with him,” prompting Pence to reply, “I’m relieved.”

It was the moment of greatest tension. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a harsh Trump critic, was much more outspoken, saying that Pence “doesn’t deserve grudging credit, he deserves our thanks as an American.” justified or not against Trump, unworthy of the office of President of the United States. “Somebody has to stop normalizing this behavior,” Christie said to increasing boos. “Booing is allowed, but it doesn’t change the truth,” he added.

In the leaked script of his strategy, DeSantis was supposed to defend the former president in the face of a Christie attack, but Ramaswamy jumped in quicker to audience applause: “Your claim that Donald Trump is motivated by revenge and resentment would be far more credible,” if your entire campaign wasn’t based on revenge and resentment against you [him].”

Hutchinson was also booed, but made legal rather than technical arguments, noting that Trump could be ousted from office if convicted. “I will not support anyone who has been convicted of a serious crime or who has been disqualified under our Constitution,” Hutchinson said.

The exchange about Trump lasted about ten minutes but was the key moment of a debate marked by his absence. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy was the most staunch defender of the former president, describing him as the “best president of the 21st century” and saying he is the victim of the judicial system’s political weapon — the same claim made by Trump and his supporters. DeSantis, Haley, and Burgum attempted to change the subject.

Ron DeSantis, second in the polls, opened and closed the debate in focus, along with Vivek Ramaswamy, third on voting intentions. Fox spared no expense and the debate was a huge production at the Fiserv Forum, the arena where Giannis Antetokoumpo’s Milwaukee Bucks play, which was decorated for the occasion and had bleachers packed with guests and donors. A drone even hovered over the stage, providing spectacular footage of the debate while the candidates’ speeches were alternately projected with videos on giant screens. The presence of eight candidates on stage gave the impression of a very open primary, but in reality it is overwhelmingly dominated by Trump, even if the presidential candidates ignored him for most of the debate.

Attacking Biden was part of DeSantis’ strategy, and the candidate had been following it to the letter since his first speech. “We are a country in decline,” he said in his opening speech. DeSantis also used the debate to crack down on Biden’s son, Hunter, saying he “made hundreds of thousands of dollars doing lousy paintings” while Americans “work hard and you can’t afford groceries, a car, or a new home.” The Florida governor also boasted about his government, mentioning his family, which many strategists see as an asset to his campaign, and his experience in the armed forces. But nothing he said was unforgettable.

Vivek Ramaswamy, a successful entrepreneur, presented himself as a supporter of the free market and the embodiment of the American dream. “Let me briefly address a question that’s on everyone’s mind at home tonight,” said the biotech entrepreneur. “Who the hell is this skinny guy with a funny last name?” I’m not a politician. My parents came to this country 40 years ago with no money,” he said. “I have founded multi-billion dollar companies. This is the American Dream.”

Christie and Pence repeatedly attacked Ramaswamy, but both are unpopular with the Republic base, so they may end up working in his favor. “The last person in one of those debates […] standing center stage and saying, “What’s a skinny guy with a weird last name doing up here?” was Barack Obama. And I’m afraid we’re dealing with the same amateur trends tonight,” Christie said.

Pence also went on the attack. “Let me explain, Vivek,” Pence replied in an exchange. “I’m going to slow down this time.” The former vice president added that this is no time for a “freshman” or “on-the-job training.” Ramaswamy responded that career politicians are puppets for the Political Action Committees (PACs) they fund.

Department on Ukraine

Ramaswamy was the only one who did not raise a hand when the candidates were asked if they would be willing to give more money to Ukraine in the face of a war with Russia. “I find it insulting that we have professional politicians on the scene making a pilgrimage to Kiev to see their Pope Zelenskyy without doing the same for the people of Maui, the South Side of Chicago or Kensington,” Ramaswamy said. “I think we have to put the interests of Americans first and secure our own border and not someone else’s,” he added.

This led to a merciless rebuke from Pence: “Anyone who thinks that we can’t solve the problems here in the United States and be the leader of the free world has a pretty poor idea of the greatest nation on earth.”

Nikki Haley, who was US Ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, also hit back, accusing Ramaswamy of wanting to hand Ukraine over to Russia and allowing China to invade Taiwan. “You are electing an assassin,” she said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. “I wish you all the best in your future careers on the boards of Lockheed [Martin] and Raytheon,” Ramaswamy replied, referring to major defense contractors. “You have no experience in foreign policy and it shows,” she said, earning applause from the crowd.

DeSantis sought a middle ground, saying he would cut the tap if Europeans didn’t take another step to “pull their own weight.”