The reality of the Republican debate is that without former President Donald Trump polluting it with his 2020 election lies, this Republican field is substantively strong.
Set aside Vivek Ramaswamy, a conspiracy theorist and foreign policy neophyte who has no business being in the race. All the others onstage are serious people with solid records and proven competence. Even long-shot Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson have served their states and country well. And while Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) just rubs me the wrong way, his record is superb.
UP FOR DEBATE: WHERE TRUMP, DESANTIS, AND REST OF REPUBLICAN 2024 FIELD STAND ON KEY ISSUES
Four candidates, though, each in their own way, showed in the debate that they have the right substance and moral seriousness, matched by their actual records, to merit the most consideration from Republican voters.
Former Vice President Mike Pence has served not just in terms of principle but in terms of effectiveness as congressman, governor, and vice president. Indeed, on almost every issue on which most Republicans think Trump’s administration did well, it was Pence and the people in his orbit, the ones his team put into all the agencies, who did the heavy lifting. And in the debate, he stood tall in refusing to back down from his positions, whether the audience agreed with him or not. He could step into the presidency and handle it well from day one.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) refuses to get down into the mud. And he didn’t command enough time onstage. But every time he spoke, what he said was thoughtful, well aimed, and wise, not to mention well calibrated for the electorate in the first caucus state of Iowa. And his message matches his record as a workhorse senator and, before that, a successful small businessman who really understands the genius and goodness of these United States.
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I have been less enamored in the past with former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, but they both got their messages across quite well on Wednesday night. As they should: Both actually take policy seriously, can boast solid records in their respective states, and have proved they can win tough elections. And both showed some courage on the debate stage, telling some hard truths about Trump even while knowing that the Republican electorate still largely thinks well of the former president.
If Trump were not in the race, Republicans would realize they have a solid set of accomplished, attractive candidates for their presidential nomination.
