So DeSantis doesn’t get a chance to respond to Pence hit on spending.
Just a note that “Republicans for Ukraine” is led by someone who has for years claimed to be a Democrat.
This Kristi Noem commercial touting South Dakota for business has a real “Donald Trump, pick me as your running mate” vibe.
Pence hitting DeSantis on increasing spending is ridiculous and I hope DeSantis nukes him for it when he has the chance. When governors increase spending it’s because revenues increased. Florida’s economy grew quickly under DeSantis because Florida itself is growing quickly as Americans poured into it in a mini Covid refugee crisis. See Ramesh’s post on this below.
At the first break, none of the candidates had a major stumble, but none of them had a true “breakout” moment that separated them from the pack. And given that Trump is so far ahead, that is the only thing that could change the trajectory of the race. A pile up with no clear winner is just what Trump wants.
Pence hits DeSantis on state spending, which sent me looking at Cato’s report card. It’s tough on DeSantis–gives him a C–but says, “DeSantis scores above average on spending. He has proposed lean budgets, although the legislature has passed higher spending levels. Between 2019 and 2023, general fund spending rose at an annual average rate of about 3.1 percent. He does not shy away from vetoing spending of which he disapproves, including $3.1 billion from this year’s budget.”
$100 billion would be nice, but the deficit this year is about $2 trillion.
Vivek represents a useful foil for the more conventional Republicans as he can be attacked as a Trump cutout without triggering Republican primary voters’ protective instinct toward Trump.
Ramaswamy, Scott, and DeSantis just all talked all over each other and it all sounded like: “YOURTIESTOCHINAEXCUSEMEMAYIFINISHYOURBUSINESS
IAMAREAGANSUPPORTEREVENWILLYOULETMEFINISHIDIDNOTINTERRUPTYOU
YOUANDYOURBUSINESSEXCUSEMELETMEFINISH”
Vivek seemed a little desperate and flustered in that exchange