Republican debate: Pence, Haley, Scott, and Christie are serious candidates
Quin Hillyer
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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 on stage are serious people with solid records and proven competence. Even longshot governors Doug Burgum of North Dakota and Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas have served their states and country well. And while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis just rubs me the wrong way, his record is superb,
Four candidate, 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.
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 former President Donald Trump’s administration did well, it was actually 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 ably from Day One.
Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina absolutely refuses to get down into the mud. And he didn’t command enough time on stage. 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.
I have been less enamored in the past with former governors Nikki Haley of South Carolina and Chris Christie of New Jersey, but they both got their messages across quite well Wednesday night. As well they should: Both actually take policy seriously, both can boast solid records in their respective states, and both 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.