Who’s up and who’s down after the primary Republican presidential debate:
WINNERS
Donald Trump: No rival emerged as the apparent high canine, and with the No. 2 candidate already fading, nothing that occurred Wednesday evening will critically disrupt the frontrunner.
Nikki Haley: She stood out as reasonable on abortion, powerful on international coverage (by blasting Vivek Ramaswamy) and agency on the necessity to transfer on from Trump’s troubles with out attacking him straight.
Republican presidential candidate former former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks at Fiserv Discussion board in the course of the first 2023 Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023.
Points: The GOP presidential race to this point has been nearly fully about Donald Trump — his authorized endangerment, his hang-up on the 2020 election and his grip on the GOP base. That may most likely proceed as quickly as Thursday, when he reviews for reserving in Georgia. However for 2 hours, not less than, the candidates targeted totally on the economic system, immigration, international coverage and training.
Ukraine: The grassroots GOP grievance that America spends an excessive amount of to assist in the conflict in opposition to Russia was nowhere to be heard in Milwaukee. Solely Vivek Ramaswamy needed to chop Ukraine unfastened.
It’s a fantastic instance of a problem the place the vocal base of the celebration obscures how most voters actually really feel. The Manhattan Institute has executed good, detailed polling of voters in early GOP main states. And so they need extra, not much less, motion to rein in Russia. On the query of spending on Ukraine, it’s extra of a fair cut up.
UFOs: No debate is ideal, and one way or the other on this one, the moderators requested about “guests” however not in regards to the Supreme Courtroom.
LOSERS
Donald Trump: Not debating, even with a big lead, is an indication of cowardice to not less than some variety of voters. He needs the race to be in regards to the authorized assaults on him, however with out Trump there, it was a quick topic.
Asa Hutchinson: Good man with a powerful document of service, however he seems like a candidate from one other time — not due to his age however due to his fashion. He’s simply not what Republican voters are on the lookout for today.
Fox Information: Trump wasn’t there, the moderates misplaced management early and sometimes, because the candidates clearly got here with plans to swing away at one another. And doing a “increase your hand” query on local weather change won’t impress Republican voters.
The Fox bell: The canines of America misplaced their minds in earlier Fox debates, and this bell was presupposed to be extra like a lodge desk than a doorbell. However loads of on-edge pups didn’t detect the distinction.
SPECIAL MENTION
Aug 23, 2023; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Republican presidential candidate former Vice President Mike Pence (left) and Republican presidential candidate Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy argue a subject as Republican presidential candidate Florida governor Ron DeSantis listens in at Fiserv Discussion board in the course of the first 2023 Republican presidential debate. Obligatory Credit score: Mike De Sisti-USA TODAY NETWORK
Vivek Ramaswamy: He’s zealous and passionate, which could appeal to some younger voters. However he was additionally loud and smug with clearly prepackaged traces. A number of different candidates checked out him like they have been pondering: “Who is that this younger man? What does he know?” And so they weren’t the one ones.
Employees writers Bud Kennedy and Nicole Russell contributed to this report.
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