Appropriately enough for a debate televised by NBC, Vivek Ramaswamy was the biggest loser at Wednesday night’s Republican third anniversary party, The Post’s panel of political experts unanimously agreed.
“He’s too hot and too mean,” Republican consultant Rob Ryan said of the 38-year-old biotech entrepreneur. “Injuring himself massively.”
“As usual and boring,” agreed Democratic consultant Chris Coffey.
The biggest talking point of the night was when Ramaswamy defended himself against criticism from Nikki Haley over his use of TikTok by pointing out that Haley’s adult daughter also dabbled in the alleged Chinese spy app.
That prompted an angry response from Haley, who told her rival to “keep my daughter’s name out of your voice,” before dismissing Ramaswamy as “rubbish.”
“Going after Nikki Haley’s daughter is a stupid thing to do,” Ryan said.
Democratic consultant Hank Sheinkopf agreed, also telling The Post Vivek’s attacks were “stupid” and “ineffective.”
Businessman Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during the Republican presidential primary debate hosted by NBC News on November 8, 2023. AP
Sheinkopf added that Vivek’s previous salvo at Haley, in which he accused her of being “Dick Cheney in three-inch heels” also didn’t work, and actually “just made her look better.”
O’Brien Murray, who advises moderate Republicans and Democrats, added that Haley’s response that she wore “five-inch heels” and that they were “not for a fashion statement,” but for “bullets” was a “great response.”
“Obviously Nikki Haley scares everyone,” Murray said. “They went after him, and he stood up well with his comeback. That’s a big takeaway.”
Republican presidential candidate former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley shakes hands with the crowd after the Republican presidential primary debate on November 8, 2023. AP
The former South Carolina governor received high marks from all of The Post’s experts for his performance, which came off the back of polls showing him trailing — and in some cases passing — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.
“Nikki Haley’s greatest quality is that she’s a woman who is friends with four men,” Ryan said. “He knows the issues and presents them well. DeSantis is more careful.”
“Haley seems like the center of attention,” said Coffey, who added that the 51-year-old has “the best debate of the bunch,” while Sheinkopf agreed that the former ambassador to the United Nations has “led the pack.”
Republican presidential candidates, from left, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, take part in the Republican presidential primary debate on November 8, 2023.AP
“He is the most energetic. He has facts and figures and has the guts to stand up to all those men,” he said. “He has the courage to stand up to Trump immediately. He said the party needs to move beyond Trump and look forward.
“DeSantis, Vivek and [Chris] Christie wants to stop Haley. They tried to slow him down. He repelled the attack,” added Sheinkopf. “He answered questions and didn’t take bull from anyone. DeSantis was afraid of him. That’s why he went to him.”
The Florida governor got mixed reviews, with Ryan saying DeSantis “got a gold star for mostly improved debate skills,” but Coffey said he “didn’t stand out” and didn’t do anything that might start a poll surge.
Nikki Haley speaks at the third debate of the US Republican candidates for the 2024 US presidential campaign hosted by NBC News November 8, 2023. REUTERS
Likewise, Ryan said, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) “once again couldn’t get out of the pack” despite having less competition for air time than in the first two debates.
Coffey had a harsher assessment, calling Scott’s performance “useless” and saying the senator sounded “like the president of a religious college.”
“Scott you might want to go share a prayer, but he doesn’t have a prayer to win,” the Dem consultant added.
Ryan had kinder words for Christie, saying the former New Jersey governor “miraculously went from a chronic Trump detractor to a serious candidate who talks about serious issues. He’s done a great deal for himself and probably had support all along.” trip.”
Coffey agreed in part, saying Christie had turned in a “solid” performance, but little more than “comic relief” at this point in the race.
As for former President Donald Trump, who was absent for the third debate in a row, there was once again a consensus that the 77-year-old’s chances were not hurt by the miss.
“They’re all cowards,” Coffey said of the quintet on the Miami stage. “Their front runner faced 90 counts and was up 30 to 50 points and they just pretended he wasn’t a factor. Or threats. Are they running for VP?
“They’re not after Trump at all,” Ryan agreed. “They stay away from him. I don’t see anything that hurts Trump.
“They all traded blows, and Vivek punched himself.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
