Democrats were outraged by statements made by Republican candidates in the first presidential debate. They called Ron DeSantis “an asshole” and a “coward” for his anti-abortion stance and accused Republicans of trying to tax middle-class families.
In the wide-ranging debate, eight candidates, including former Vice President Mike Pence, Nikki Haley and Chris Christie, exchanged blows on issues such as abortion, climate change and the economy.
Notable Democrats, including Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and Nancy Pelosi, have since come out to criticize measures proposed by their political rivals.
Harris described the debate as reflecting an “extremist agenda” for the US, while President Biden tweeted, “Climate change is real by the way.”
Meanwhile, many condemned DeSantis’ claim that Democrats were working to allow “abortion up to the moment of birth” as misleading.
“No one is trying to legalize abortion until birth,” tweeted former Minnesota Senator Al Franken. “You asshole, DeSantis.”
In the debate, eight candidates, including former Vice President Mike Pence, Nikki Haley and Chris Christie, exchanged blows on issues such as abortion, climate change and the economy
Franken appeared to correct himself before doubling down on his comments. ‘Excuse me. I meant “you idiot,” Franken continued. “No, ‘an asshole’ was right.”
Meanwhile, former House Speaker Pelosi targeted candidates’ tax policies.
She posted on X: “Democrats created 13.4 million jobs and saved our economy by growing the middle class.”
“But all in [GOP debate] “We want to hurt working families who sit at their kitchen tables — to fund tax breaks for the rich who sit at their boardroom tables,” Pelosi claimed.
“Not under our supervision!” she added.
Other leading Democrats have been vocal in their anger at the candidates’ response to a climate change question, including LA Mayor Karen Bass.
“When contestants on the #GOPDebat stage tonight were asked to raise their hand if they believed climate change was man-made, none of them did,” she tweeted.
“Los Angeles has just been placed under tropical storm surveillance for the first time ever. Absolutely shameful. Lives are in danger.’
Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin called DeSantis a “coward” for his views on climate change.
He posted on )’
JL Partners conducted an online poll to reach 504 registered Republicans listening to Wednesday’s debate. The results show an error rate of 4.4 percent
Raskin also targeted Ramaswamy, taunting him for his allegedly soft attitude toward Russia.
“Ramaswamy is now seriously competing with Donald Trump to win Vladimir Putin’s primary.” Putin has a new pet in the Republican Party!’
The GOP candidates for the 2024 election not only attacked the Democrats, but also used Wednesday night’s Fox News debate to squabble with one another.
Ramaswamy, now considered a favourite, has been dubbed an “amateur” and a “rookie” as he fought off all his opponents’ attacks in heated arguments on stage.
DeSantis tried to avoid the crossfire by focusing the attacks on President Biden and announcing how he would handle the border crisis.
Meanwhile, Pence said he would support a federal abortion ban and Christie was booed for saying Trump’s behavior was “unworthy” of the presidency.