Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley criticized Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over his campaign during the CNN Republican debate in Des Moines on Wednesday.
“The best way to learn about candidates is to see how they run their campaigns,” Haley said. “He burned through $150 million,” she added of DeSantis. “I don't even know how you do that.”
“He has nothing to show for it. He has spent more money on private planes than commercials trying to get Iowans to vote for him. If he can't manage a campaign, how is he going to manage the country?” ” Haley applauded.
Haley and DeSantis spent much of Wednesday's debate clashing with each other over policy and insulting each other. In her opening remarks, DeSantis called Haley a “foul-mouthed politician.” DeSantis also painted Haley as a “corporatist” Republican beholden to donors.
The debate comes less than a week before the Iowa caucuses. The forum will also be the first time Haley and DeSantis will discuss this election cycle one-on-one. Haley and DeSantis are aiming to take on former President Trump in the race for the Republican nomination, but so far neither has been able to break into Trump's lead. Trump has a 53-point lead nationally and a 36-point lead in Iowa, according to average Hill/Decision Desk polls.
Trump participated in a Fox News town hall held in Des Moines at the same time as the CNN debate.
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