The final Republican primary debate before the Iowa caucuses is set to be a face-off between former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who is currently enjoying a surge in the polls, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose performance in Iowa could be a turning point for his campaign. Former President Donald Trump will be absent from the stage, instead making a solo appearance on Fox News.
The debate, hosted by CNN at Drake University in Des Moines, will provide Haley and DeSantis a final opportunity to present their cases to the voters and critique each other and Trump before the first votes are cast next week. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie did not qualify for the debate, reflecting the widening gap between the contenders in a field that initially consisted of nearly 20 candidates.
Trump’s Absence
Despite his absence from all GOP primary debates to date, Trump’s presence is still felt. The question of whether Haley and DeSantis will confront Trump remains a key issue entering this debate. The Iowa caucuses will be the first test of whether the rest of the field combined can keep the former president under the 50% mark.
Haley and DeSantis vs Trump
Both Haley and DeSantis have intensified their criticism of Trump in recent weeks. DeSantis has argued that Trump failed to deliver on his 2016 campaign promises, while Haley stated that “chaos follows” the former president. They are increasingly arguing that Trump’s ongoing legal battles and potential trials in the coming year could harm him in the general election.
DeSantis’ Preparation
DeSantis, eager to take on all comers, has repeatedly challenged Trump to a debate and has even sparred with Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom. He has long anticipated a one-on-one debate with Haley as a last-ditch chance to ignite his campaign before the Iowa caucuses. His campaign has been tight-lipped about his debate strategy or preparations.
Setting Expectations for Iowa
The Iowa caucuses traditionally narrow down the presidential fields of both parties. DeSantis and Haley are managing expectations, assuring their donors and supporters that they have paths forward in the GOP race even without a win. Haley, meanwhile, is polling in a strong second place in New Hampshire and South Carolina — states that have long been more critical to her 2024 hopes than Iowa.
Haley’s Civil War Controversy
Haley faced criticism for failing to immediately name slavery as the cause of the Civil War at a recent New Hampshire town hall. Though Haley quickly sought to clarify her remarks, the episode marked the first time she’d faced serious backlash over a stumble of her own making. DeSantis has needled Haley over her answer to the Civil War question, but he has also redirected the topic toward Trump’s comments.