The Spire

Viveca Stucke’ 26

Opinions Editor

Occurring on November 8th, 2023, the third Republican Debate underscored the intense competition for attention among GOP presidential candidates. The participants in this debate included Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis, and Tim Scott, the final five contenders striving for the second seed position following former President and current candidate, Donald J Trump.

This unfolded a pivotal moment in the race for the GOP’s presidential nominee, reflecting the complex web of priorities that these candidates bring to the table.  The debate delved into a spectrum of pressing issues, with foreign policy and immigration taking the spotlight. Each candidate fought to distinguish themselves through their attempt to articulate a compelling vision for the Republican party, however, their answers unfortunately seemed to merge together. 

Although there is a spectrum of ideologies, there was an absence of policy discourse within the debate. It appeared as though the candidates’ answers were pre-fabricated, more so than usual, formed by generic and baseline answers that were meant to gain the support of conservative constituents. This is the norm of our political atmosphere, since politics has developed into a game of conviction and persuasion, rather than genuine values. However, there was a lack of substance to their answers, and it was clear that the candidates shared a universal goal of producing responses that would please the public, rather than showcasing their moral priorities. 

The predictable pattern of responses could be characterized by the scripted nature of their positions, emphasizing a void of substantive policy discussions, fueling the narrative that there is an inability for any of the candidates to catch up to frontrunner Donald J Trump. Donald Trump’s strongest asset as a candidate thus far has been his capacity to fill the need for a “presidential voice.” Although not often agreeable, former President Trump has had the ability to articulate his opinions and views from an honest and raw perspective; a characteristic absent within today’s contemporary political landscape. 

The “presidential voice” holds power in its ability to serve as a source of stability and leadership through times of crisis, an attribute that some candidates have harnessed effectively. This “voice” serves as a symbol of authority, navigating the public through the complexities of government. Beyond policy and opinions, the tone and demeanor that a candidate adopts influences public perception, projecting impressions of resilience and strength. 

It is obvious that not all candidates fully leverage this characteristic, an undeniable feature that became glaringly apparent during the debate.  Nikki Haley, emerging as a favored candidate, has gradually unveiled this influential power, skillfully intertwining her extensive knowledge with the ability to project an image of confidence and unity. As a former governor and ambassador to the United Nations, Haley has exemplified a robust display of diplomacy; a trait particularly desirable in times of international uncertainty. Haley has proved herself as a pragmatic leader capable of navigating complex topics, contrasting the immaturity of other candidates. 

One candidate, although articulated, has demonstrated nothing but a childish tone.  Vivek Ramaswamy, a candidate characterized by his outsider perspective, has had the tone of a robot, as if he was programmed to generate responses that will best appease the general public. But, even with AI technology becoming more accepted, the United States does not want nor need the physical embodiment of Chat GPT like Vivek Ramaswamy as the leader of the free world.

The desire for public approval has taken precedence over the depth of policy analysis, demonstrated by candidates fighting to see who can come up with the line of the century. However, it has gone too far and become an embarrassment for the party. The third debate was characterized by this, with the candidates gaining their power from a platform of unprofessionalism and boundary crossing.

Vivek Ramaswamy best exemplified this, demonstrating an inability to present any level of decorum, especially when he brought up Nikki Haley’s daughter during the debate. A line which was rooted in his jealousy over Haley’s natural ability to compel and convince a crowd of her capacity to serve as a strong President.

Haley, through post debate polling and positive media feedback, demonstrates a favored position with the American voters, pulling through as a potential serious contender in the primaries for former President Donald J Trump. Haley’s experience reflects a comprehensive grasp of intricate subjects, contributing to a deeper understanding of pivotal issues crucial for the United States’ ongoing success. If elected President, she would bring a wealth of knowledge in both domestic and foreign policy, adeptly balancing these two indispensable facets necessary for maintaining the nation’s stability. Alongside her ability to confidently project the “presidential voice,” Nikki Haley has undeniably established herself as the Republican candidate characterized by substantial depth and substance. 

Photo Courtesy of Google Image