Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley was more liberal than California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) during Wednesday's Republican presidential primary debate in Iowa. he accused.
“I debated California Governor Gavin Newsom,” DeSantis said near the beginning of a CNN debate in Des Moines. “I thought he lied a lot. No, Nikki Haley will defend him for money, and she might be more liberal than Gavin Newsom.”
DeSantis was responding to a question about whether he thought former President Trump was qualified to be president.
“As Republicans, we need people to be there and fight for us,” he continued. “Every time things get tough, every time people get depressed, she gets depressed.”
The exchange was just one of many between Haley and DeSantis within the first 15 minutes of the debate.
Wednesday night's clash will be the first head-to-head confrontation between Ms. Haley and Mr. DeSantis, Mr. Trump's main rival in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. Haley has moved closer to the former president in New Hampshire, but both are far behind Trump.
Mr. DeSantis is looking for a solid result in next week's Iowa caucuses, which are crucial to his campaign. He hopes to get a key win over Haley in Iowa.
In her opening remarks, DeSantis called Haley a “foul-mouthed politician,” and Haley told Drake University students that every time DeSantis lied, she would “be subject to excessive punishment.” He cautioned against turning the discussion into a drinking game.
The race between Haley and DeSantis has been called a “race for second place” because Trump has been leading in state and national polls.
President Trump participated in a Fox News town hall in Des Moines during Wednesday's CNN debate.
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