Here Are the Winners and Losers from the Third GOP Debate, According to Voters

MIAMI, FLORIDA — The third Republican debate is in the books and the judges have tallied their scorecards.

Some candidates fared better than others during Wednesday’s high-stakes Republican presidential debate in Miami, Florida. So who do voters say won the third round? 

THE LOSERS

While some voters appreciated businessman Vivek Ramaswamy’s criticism of the Republican National Committee (RNC) and legacy media, his performance as a whole rubbed many voters the wrong way. Ramaswamy was the worst performing candidate, according to a Washington Post poll, followed by former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

Ramaswamy stood firm on securing the southern border, but broke away from the pack by suggesting the U.S. build a wall on the northern border with Canada.

In a contentious exchange – and one of the most memorable – Ramaswamy called former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley “Dick Cheney in 3-inch heels” in response to a foreign policy question. Haley later called Ramaswamy “scum” after he mentioned her daughter’s use of TikTok.

“Leave my daughter out of your voice,” Haley told Ramaswamy, as boos echoed in the audience. “You’re just scum.”

In a post-debate interview on NBC, Haley brushed off Ramaswamy’s jab, saying, “I don’t even give him the time of day. He has proven he’s not worthy to be the president of the United States.”

THE WINNERS

Haley earned the top spot in the Post’s survey, with 55 percent of respondents saying she won the night. Ron DeSantis also received high marks, with 53 percent saying he did excellent or very good. Voters said controlling inflation and stopping illegal immigration were their top two concerns.

Another survey by J.L. Partners for the Daily Mail showed DeSantis was the most presidential of the five candidates on stage.

In a head-to-head match-up, 56 percent of respondents said DeSantis performed better than Haley. When asked who was in the best position to beat the former president, 53 percent said DeSantis compared to 29 percent who preferred Haley.

“DeSantis got a B from Democrats, Independents a B and Republicans an A,” said Lee Carter on Fox News. “I think this is shocking to see Democrats give any Republican an A – I don’t think I’ve ever seen it either. I will tell you this: Democrats are tired of TikTok polluting their children’s minds.”

NBC News correspondent Marissa Parra said veterans she spoke to in Jacksonville Beach during a debate watch party told her they strongly support DeSantis, a veteran of the Iraq War. They were particularly drawn to his plan to modernize the U.S. Navy.

In a post on X, GOP pundit Matt Whitlock said DeSantis’ detailed plan – down to the exact number – to build new Navy ships is something former President Trump “could never” do.

IMPACT ON EARLY VOTERS?

MSNBC’s Shaquille Brewster asked a room full of likely Iowa voters if Governor Kim Reynolds’ endorsement and DeSantis’ debate performance had any impact on their ballot plans. Brewster said nearly everyone raised their hand in affirmation, admitting they viewed Ron DeSantis more favorably after Wednesday’s debate.

“Vivek Ramaswamy has got to have one of the lowest levels of moral character that I’ve ever seen,” a voter in New Hampshire said after the debate. “Nikki Haley talks a lot about a mental competency test. I think these candidates need to start passing a moral competency test.”

“This was the best managed – it was the most substantive debate,” another New Hampshire voter said. “By consequence, it was riveting,”