With the stage noticeably smaller than the first two Republican presidential debates, Wednesday night’s debate in Miami saw more focused subject matter and some of the most fierce attacks yet.
Here are some of the most memorable zingers from the debate as candidates battled for second-place footing.
SMITHSONIAN GIANT PANDAS LEAVE US FOR CHINA
“[Trump] said Republicans were going to get tired of winning. Well, we saw last night. I’m sick of Republicans losing.” Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) on former President Donald Trump
DeSantis began the debate by addressing the two elephants in the room: former President Donald Trump and Republican losses in Tuesday’s elections. He decided to connect the two by blaming Trump for the losses.
Aside from hits in the opening statements, the third debate was different than the rest by a noticeable lack of mentions of Trump from the candidates, particularly from former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Trump continues to dominate the polls.
“We’ve become a party of losers.” Vivek Ramaswamy on election losses
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy began the debate by attacking nearly all players in the room. He took issue with the Republican National Committee’s performance and RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.
“Since Ronna McDaniel took over as chairwoman of the RNC in 2017, we have lost 2018, 2020, 2022. No red wave that never came. We got trounced last night in 2023,” he said before offering to yield time for McDaniel, who was in the audience, to come onstage and resign.
He then condemned the NBC News moderators, saying Tucker Carlson, Joe Rogan, and Elon Musk should moderate instead.
“Do you want Dick Cheney in three-inch heels?” Ramaswamy on former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley
The personal feud between the two Indian-American candidates onstage continued Wednesday, with Haley and Ramaswamy bashing each other repeatedly. Ramaswamy condemned Haley as a warmonger and member of the old Republican establishment, comparing her to one of the most famous Republican neoconservatives.
“Do you want a leader from a different generation who is going to put this country first? Or do you want Dick Cheney in 3-inch heels?” he asked.
In a follow-up comment, he added that there were two people onstage in heels, poking fun at rumors that DeSantis secretly wears height boosters to appear taller.
“They’re not for a fashion statement. They’re for ammunition.” Haley on her high heels
Responding to Ramaswamy’s derisive comment that she is “Dick Cheney in 3-inch heels,” Haley responded by touting her use of high heels and painting herself as a fighter.
“I’d first like to say they’re 5-inch heels, and I don’t wear ‘em unless you can run in ‘em. The second thing that I will say is I wear heels. They’re not for a fashion statement. They’re for ammunition,” she said.
“Leave my daughter out of your voice. … You’re just scum.” Haley to Ramaswamy
Countering Haley’s previous derision of Ramaswamy for his use of TikTok, the entrepreneur accused the former U.N. ambassador of hypocrisy, pointing out that her daughter uses the app. Haley responded with hostility, putting forth the most direct attack of their personal feud.
“Leave my daughter out of your voice!” Haley interrupted after her mention. She then added, “You’re just scum.”
Haley’s daughter later came up onstage after the debate was finished. Haley and Ramaswamy were the only two candidates who visibly appeared to avoid shaking hands.
“I will be telling Bibi — finish the job once and for all with these butchers, Hamas.” DeSantis on his message to Israel
Addressing the largest worldwide development since the last debate, DeSantis was asked what he would tell Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on how to deal with the War in Gaza.
“I will be telling Bibi, ‘Finish the job once and for all with these butchers, Hamas,'” DeSantis said to loud applause. “They’re terrorists. They’re massacring innocent people. They would wipe every Jew off the globe if they could. He cannot live with that threat right by his country, that Hamas should release every hostage and they should unconditionally surrender.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“I’m sick of hearing the media. I’m sick of hearing other people blame Israel just for defending itself. We will stand with Israel in word and deed, in public and in private,” he continued.
He then touted his efforts to bring back United States citizens from Israel and decried President Joe Biden for his handling of the situation.
