Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media outlet: Security incident reported in the Gaza Strip
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area

The Republican debate recap for the 2024 presidential race

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Rachel Hamdoun
  • 24 Aug 2023 21:43
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

The GOP debate has set the stage for the next round due to take place on September 27, but will Trump attend in person this time or will it be another call-out?

  • x
  • The eight Republican presidential candidates at the first debate on August 23, 2023 in Milwaukee (AP)
    The eight Republican presidential candidates at the first debate on August 23, 2023 in Milwaukee (AP)

On Wednesday, the eight Republican candidates took to the stage in Milwaukee for the GOP debate - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former Vice President Mike Pence, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina.

Former US President Donald Trump did not attend and instead opted for a pre-recorded interview with former Fox News host and conservative broadcaster Tucker Carlson.

38-year-old and youngest runner in the group, Ramaswamy, was faced with fire within the first hour of the debate. "We don’t need to bring in a rookie, we don’t need to bring in people without experience," Pence said to him. 

"I’ve had enough, already tonight, of a guy who sounds like ChatGPT standing up here," Christie told him.

Chris Christie slams Vivek Ramaswamy at the GOP presidential debate: “I've have had enough already tonight of a guy who sounds like ChatGPT.”

Christie also calls Ramaswamy "the same type of amateur" as Barack Obama. pic.twitter.com/OlgD9Yqvvz

— The Recount (@therecount) August 24, 2023

Just during the first half-hour and upon hearing the back-and-forths, Haley jumped to quote Margaret Thatcher and said: "This is exactly why Margaret Thatcher said, 'If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman.'"

Read next: How the US continues to orchestrate chaos in Haiti: UnHerd

Climate change is a 'hoax'

Hot topics of debate ranged from abortion and Ukraine to social security, climate change, and 'Bidenomics'. 

Speaking on abortion, upon being asked whether he would sign a similar bill to the 6-week abortion ban bill in Florida that is due to take effect, DeSantis responded that he would "stand on the side of life". 

Related News

Senate blames Secret Service failures for Trump assassination attempt

South Korea warns US chip tariffs threaten economy, global supply

Haley spoke on a more neutral stance, asking: "Can’t we all agree that we should ban late-term abortions? Can’t we all agree that we should encourage adoptions?... Can’t we agree that contraception should be available? Can’t we all agree that we are not going to put a woman in jail or give her the death penalty if she gets an abortion?"

When answering a question by a voter on making America believe that Republicans fight for climate change, Fox moderator Martha MacCallum asked: "Do you believe in human behavior causing climate change? Raise your hand if you do."

DeSantis was quick to respond and criticize Anthony Fauci and President Joe Biden, while Haley took a jab at China and India.

"First of all, we do care about clean air, clean water. We want to see that taken care of, but there is a right way to do it. The right way is first of all, yes, is climate change real? Yes, it is. But if you want to go and really change the environment, we need to start telling China and India that they have to lower their emissions."

The real surprise? Ramaswamy called climate change a 'hoax': "I’m the only candidate on stage who isn’t bought and paid for, so I can say this," adding: "Climate change is a hoax…The reality is more people are dying of bad climate change policies than they are of actual climate change." He was faced with quite some frustration in the hall.

Mexico over Ukraine

Regarding the topic of Ukraine, only DeSantis and Ramaswamy rejected the idea of providing more funding to Ukraine. 

DeSantis told Europe to "step up and do their job", while Ramaswamy agreed and added that the funds should be sent to the US-Mexico border instead.

Haley accused Ramaswamy of having the tendency to "hand Ukraine to Russia" and "let China eat Taiwan", adding "You have no foreign policy experience, and it shows". 

Read next: Rep. candidate ready to mediate Ukraine conflict; but on what terms?

When questioned about support for Trump, everyone raised their hand to show support, except former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson. On the matter of Biden's son, Hunter, Chris Christie said: "In a Christie administration, he would go to jail for 10 years."

Finally on the issue of the president coined as 'Bidenomics', not one candidate was supportive and instead bashed the president and his administration's performance throughout his term. 

"Our country is in decline. This decline is not inevitable, it’s a choice," DeSantis said, adding: "We need to send Joe Biden back to his basement and reverse this decline."

  • United States
  • Republican Party
  • Vivek Ramaswamy
  • GOP
  • Ron DeSantis
  • 2024 US elections

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS