With the first contest of the GOP presidential primary season looming, the two leading Republican contenders, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, are set to present their case to voters in Iowa. The pair have emerged as the potential alternatives to former President Donald Trump, who continues to lead in state and national polls.
Both candidates will participate in back-to-back CNN town hall events at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa. They will face questions from likely GOP caucus-goers and anchors Kaitlan Collins and Erin Burnett about their visions for the future and their strategies to defeat President Joe Biden in the fall.
DeSantis and Haley’s Strategy Against Trump
Despite Trump’s absence from the event, his potential third consecutive GOP presidential nomination will be a significant topic. Both DeSantis and Haley have recently intensified their critique of Trump, while avoiding firm denunciations that could alienate undecided conservatives.
DeSantis, who was once the early favorite to challenge Trump, has been more assertive in his criticism of the former president. He has questioned Trump’s decision to skip the GOP debates and argued that he is better positioned to win over swing voters in battleground states.
Haley’s Rising Popularity and Challenges
As Haley’s popularity grows within the GOP, she faces increasing criticism from former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. He has repeatedly suggested that Haley’s reluctance to confront Trump more directly is due to her potential interest in joining a Trump ticket or running for president again in 2028.
To defeat Trump, Haley will need to erode his support among the GOP faction that remains loyal to him. This task has proven elusive for Trump’s intra-party rivals for three consecutive presidential election cycles.
Managing Expectations
As the Iowa caucuses approach, both DeSantis and Haley are attempting to manage expectations of their performances. DeSantis has stated that his finish in Iowa is not a deciding factor for his campaign’s fate, while Haley has predicted “surprises” in the first-in-the-nation nominating contests.
Controversial Comments and Abortion Stance
Haley recently faced criticism for her comments on the causes of the Civil War, which she quickly sought to clarify. Meanwhile, both candidates have largely avoided discussing abortion rights, a potentially influential issue in the coming general election. With less than two weeks until voting begins, both candidates will likely be pressed to provide more information about their positions and strategies.