Overall, I thought this was the best of the 2024 GOP primary debates which I've reviewed to date. DeSantis and Haley have been arguably the best debaters of the expanded field, and the give and take between the 2 candidates probably came closest I've seen as near a "real" political debate. I don't like the annoying interpersonal bickering: it does seem like DeSantis knows how to get under Haley's skin, and Haley repetitiously and annoyingly referenced https://desantislies.com/ every few minutes: I would have been more impressed if she more directly cited details versus essentially calling DeSantis a liar.
I felt in this case, like in the earlier GOP primary debates, DeSantis is rhe better debater. He comes across as well-prepared, detailed, specific, articulate and authoritative. This doesn't mean I agree with him; for example, he has contradicted his support for overdue social security reform that he held as a Congressman, suggesting Haley's cost-cutting reform of deferring eligibility to (say) 70 was an unnecessary benefit cut given a modest drop in life expectancy during the pandemic. I will point that the number of retirees has exceeded projections of baby boomer retirements, there are projections of fewer workers (maybe 3%), never mind an ongoing trend of declining labor force participation rate, and the data show people living longer past age 65, up to roughly 20+ years in 10 years. Social security is a pay as you go system, meaning payroll taxes do not go into investments but are first used to pay current beneficiaries; any surplus nust by law be invested in low-interest federal debt; otherwise, we have to tap into those reserves (interest income and/or debt cash-ins). Since 2020, we have been tapping into reserves. The social security reserves, without reforms, will be exhausted by an estimated 2034, leading to a roughly 25% shortfall in benefits. Now I understand why DeSantis, who got blasted by Trump's allies for Congressional entitlement proposals he supported while in Congress, might want to target Haley in turn for an unpopular reform, But DeSantis implying we don't have a social security funding problem, is in a state of denial and a failure of leadership. A more effective response might be to point out that raising the retirement age only covers part of the shortfall (say, 14%) and then to challenge Haley to identify what other politically unpopular reforms she would use to close the gap.
I was unhappy with DeSantis adopting Trump's tactic of calling his opponents corrupt for selling out to donor interests. He annoyingly argued repetitiously and without evidence that Haley was a sellout, unlike him working for just you, the people. Strange; DeSantis wasn't complaining about the Big Donor class when they financed the early part of his struggling campaign. The fact that some of them decided to switch to Haley as a more politically viable alternative no doubt has embittered him.
I have a number of differences with DeSantis here (sometimes in passing) and in general where he seems to have transitioned from more of a Reagan conservatism to aTrumpist right-wing nationalism. He rebuked "globalism" versus my support of the free market and free trade. He (and Haley) hypocritically attack Chinese US investments and seeks to revoke Chinese trade status. He has gone from promoting COVID-19 vaccines, which have prevented millions of hospitalizations and deaths, especially among senior citizens, to embracing vaccine shepticism, whose own state surgeon general is spreading mRNA vaccine misinformation. He has tried to attack Trump from the right on immigration, for not making Mexico pay for his promised yet unfinished border wall, for being an even less effective deporter of "illegal aliens" than Obama (and rants against Reagan-style "amnesty" and welfare-style benefits he argues are incentivizing unauthorized entry); he says, unlike Trump, he has a record of keeping his canpaig promises (having a strongly GOP-held state legislature is different from dealing wuth a split-controlled or opposition Congress, not to mention Senate filibusters). As a free market advocate I don't like Trump-style corporate bashing or DeSantis' reprisals against Disney for criticizing his education policies; I see these things as contrary to the First Amendment in spirit.
Finally, I don't think much of Haley or DeSantis' critiques of Trump fot POTUS, no doubt intimidated by Trump's popularity with the base. quickly agreeing to support hin if nominated, even if convicted on any of his 91 felony counts. Haley talks of the need for younger leadership, of the need of no drama in the White House; in my opinion, Haley realizes her chances of beating Trump are nominal for the nomination and is keeping her options open for the VP spot. Personally, I think it is possible, if not probable: Trump has a "woman problem", and the Dems are targeting him on Dobbs. Haley probably also helps him with moderates and independents. Trump also takes credit for naming her to the UN. He's already floated the idea of naming her to the ticket, although Junior pans the idea. I don't think DeSantis has s shot because Trump takes credit for DeSantis' winning the FL governorship and sees his candidacy as disloyal, and I think filling out his term as governor is better for his legacy. Still, Trump's running mate would likely be the favorite heading into 2028. Right now both are trailing badly to Trump in their own home states. It could be they stay in the race in case Trump runs into legal or health problems.
As I write, the Iowa caucuses are over (I'm publishing this later than intended); I'll probably discuss these in a subsequent post. The reason I mention this is because Haley has rejected opportunities to debate DeSamtis before the upcoming NH primary. I've seen 1 poll which has her tied with Trump and DeSantis trailing well behind. She has no wish to give DeSantis momentum off Iowa and insists she'll only debate Trump or Biden. I think this is defensive, hypocritical and counterproductive on her part.
