Republicans Outraged Over Disorganized Debate Debacle

SIMI VALLEY, CALIFORNIA — As the dust settled after the second Republican presidential debate, many wondered whether the seven contenders who launched attacks on President Joe Biden, Trump and each other in the chaotic spectacle were set up to fail by the hosting networks and the Republican National Convention (RNC).

The first question, aimed at South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, included a lengthy recap of multiple polls, taking up more time than Scott was given to answer. As the event continued, the moderators lost control and struggled while candidates became frustrated and were not allowed rebuttals.

LEFTIST MODERATORS

“The RNC promised that it would be different this time,” Daniel Greenfield at Front Page Magazine wrote. “There would be no more leftist moderators hijacking Republican debates. Why in the world is Calderón there? Do Democrats allow conservative journalists to moderate their debates?”

Fox News even aired a Biden ad just before the debate began.

SHOTS AT TRUMP

As expected, no-show Trump took more fire than he did during the first debate. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was the first to go on the offense, asserting that Trump is “afraid of defending his record.” At one point, Christie spoke directly to Trump through the camera, saying: “I know you’re watching – you can’t help yourself.”

Governor Ron DeSantis jumped in and attacked the former president multiple times on federal debt and the border. But perhaps his most memorable jab was over Trump’s reasoning for Republicans’ poor performance in the midterms.

“I reject this idea that pro-lifers are to blame for midterm defeats,” DeSantis said. “The former president, he’s missing in action tonight. He should be here explaining his comments.”

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

So why did the RNC and Fox News invite Univision anchor Ilia Calderón, a Leftist and advocate for illegal aliens? In 2021, Calderon pressed President Joe Biden to give stimulus checks to undocumented illegals during an interview in Houston.

Calderón pressed the candidates with questions that seemed out of place for a Republican debate and rather part of the radical Left’s narrative: how to “protect” LGBTQ and trans people, gun violence and Florida’s African-American History curriculum. In a snarky tone, she asked Ramaswamy if he would deport U.S. citizens given a recent court ruling finding the DACA program unlawful.

Ramaswamy and Scott both said they would end birthright citizenship for U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants.

While border security is a key point for Republicans in order to ensure the sovereignty and safety of the nation, the Univision anchor seemed to have the opposite priorities. But that didn’t stop Ramaswamy and DeSantis, who contended that U.S. troops at the southern border are necessary to stop the flow of fentanyl and dangerous illegal aliens.

“Those Mexican drug cartels are going to be treated like the foreign terrorist organizations they are,” DeSantis said.

OUT-OF-TOUCH BICKERING

Moderator Stuart Varney stuttered and stumbled through the debate. Varney asked about CEO pay versus United Auto Workers (UAW) pay and the government’s role in paying for child care – questions most Republicans voting in the primary are unlikely to be concerned with.

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley started out strong but was drowned out as the debate collapsed in a cacophony of bickering between the frustrated candidates. Still, she managed to give Ramaswamy a couple of earfuls, who returned fire:

“I think we would be better served as a Republican Party if we were not sitting here hurling personal insults and actually had a legitimate debate about policy,” Ramaswamy said.

Former Vice President Mike Pence fell flat as he tried to joke that President Joe Biden should be on the unemployment line. He also tried to poke at Ramaswamy for not voting in the past but was drowned out by the bickering.

“WE CAN’T TRUST YOU”

Touting his experience, Pence joined Haley in trying to separate himself from DeSantis and Ramaswamy over Ukraine, arguing that allowing Russia to take parts of Ukraine would lead China to invade Taiwan.

Ramaswamy came across a bit different this time around. He made a point to say that everyone on the stage were good people and praised Donald Trump once again – but it didn’t seem very compelling. Haley used her time to remind everyone that Ramaswamy did business in China and couldn’t be trusted.

“Honestly, every time I hear you, I feel a little bit dumber from what you say,” Haley said, lambasting Ramaswamy’s use of Chinese-owned TikTok to reach younger voters. “We can’t trust you.”

A CLEAR FRONT-RUNNER?

“Ron DeSantis got a walk off home run at the end when he took control of the debate away from the moderators and he said I’m not going to play that game and then he was very presidential,” said radio commentator Hugh Hewitt. “He’s also the first candidate to mention commander-in-chief tonight which I think is a very important thing.”

Others thought DeSantis was the clear front-runner, rejecting the clown show overtures and hitting back with his record of achievements.

“3 candidates are running to be in a Trump cabinet,” Buck Sexton posted. “2 are running out of anti-trump spite. 1 wants people to build up his profile. 1 is running to be president.”

An overwhelming share of social media commentators felt the debate was a disaster, noting that the GOP needs to set the bar higher and focus on more lengthy discussions between higher-polling candidates.

Some argued that the absence of American flags on the debate stage was a sign of disrespect – leaving the Republican electorate as the real losers of this second primary debate.

As the cherry on top, California Governor Gavin Newsom came gallivanting into the “spin room,” where he was welcomed by a doting Sean Hannity. The confident and carefree Newsom fielded a few questions on whether he will throw his hat in the ring and challenge Biden for the Democratic nomination in 2024 – before he took off and left Republicans with his reflections on the debate in a tweet.