Though I missed Doug Burgum, it was a better debate for having fewer participants. We should have fewer still next time. But, I don’t think this was a great debate for the party.
Republicans like to hate on NBC hosting their primary debates, but the moderation in this debate was the best of any of them so far. Hewitt did great as a conservative voice, and Holt and Welker played it straight.
Someone needs to tell DeSantis that no smile is better than a fake smile
Vivek: Fresh legs, no World War III.
Haley: the world is on fire.
Christie on abortion: “The Founders were really smart, and this is an issue that should be decided in each state.” Notably, New Jersey has the most abortions per capita of any state in the union.
Source: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/slideshows/states-with-the-highest-abortion-rates?slide=11
Good on Vivek for having the chutzpah to say “As a man” in his abortion answer. Everyone has a stake in this issue.
DeSantis gave the strongest answer on abortion.
Christie’s comment that conservative lawyers have always maintained there’s no federal role in abortion may be sincere–I hear a lot of people say it–but it is simply untrue. It’s also untrue of pro-lifers or Republicans generally. Has nobody read the Republican platforms from 1980 through 2016?
Vivek Ramaswamy on abortion, ironically (because let’s all be honest: is this where you expected it?), was his best moment of the night.
Haley has the read on national abortion messaging.