The fourth Republican debate, held in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was a heated event that saw the candidates engaging in sharp exchanges. The debate featured Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie, and Vivek Ramaswamy.
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy was particularly critical of Nikki Haley, labeling her as corrupt and a fascist. This led to a fiery response from Chris Christie, who defended Haley and dubbed Ramaswamy as the most obnoxious blowhard in America.
Ron DeSantis, on the other hand, was criticized for his reference to Islamic robes as 'man dresses' during the debate. Despite this, he had a strong performance, pushing policy proposals and attacking Nikki Haley. However, his status in the race has been sinking, which he defended during the debate.
The candidates were unanimous in their stance on limiting gender-affirming care for minors. They also took a tough stance on China and did not question Israel's response to attacks by Hamas.
The debate, which lasted two hours, was deemed too long by some. The moderators, NewsNation, were praised for their focus on former President Donald Trump, who despite not attending, was seen as a winner of the night.
Overall, the debate highlighted the contentious nature of the race and the differing views of the candidates. The absence of frontrunner Donald Trump was a significant focus, with some arguing that his strategy of avoiding the debates has largely worked.
