Republican consultant Bill O'Riley highlighted Haley's excellence and called her night “great”
In an intense head-to-head showdown at Drake University in Des Moines, the fifth Republican debate saw an assertive performance by former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, securing the verdict from four of five veteran political observers surveyed by The charge.
Republican consultant Bill O'Riley noted Haley's excellence, describing her night as “great” and applauding her consistently sharp and compelling debate performances.
Haley's strategic use of “DeSantisLies.com” was considered a clever rhetorical tactic, one that left a lasting impact on viewers. By contrast, although Florida Governor Ron DeSantis met her goals, concerns were raised about her confidence and lack of drive.
O'Riley noted that DeSantis' use of the phrase “pale pastels” to describe Haley's ideas, a nod to Ronald Reagan, seemed strange and may not resonate well.
Rob Ryan, another Republican consultant, criticized DeSantis for starting off too aggressively, lacking humor and repeatedly labeling Haley a liar, potentially alienating some women voters. Haley, on the other hand, was praised for standing her ground, showing strength, and emphasizing her accomplishments.
The debate also drew remarks from the Democratic camp, where Hank Sheinkopf characterized Haley as a “bulldozer” and successfully painted DeSantis as a liar.
Sheinkopf noted that DeSantis seemed lost, particularly with the absence of former President Donald Trump, who instead opted for a Fox News town hall.
While DeSantis received credit for his statements on education, highlighting the expansion of school choice and challenging the teachers union in Miami, Haley's resilience shined through, especially in her honest stance on rights, specifically Social Security.
Despite the intense exchange, the looming shadow of Trump's absence led some experts to view the debate as a battle for secondary positions, similar to competing for bronze and silver medals.
The general sentiment suggested that Trump emerged as the silent winner, leaving the American people as the apparent losers in this high-stakes political showdown.
