DeSantis distances himself on environmental policies
A source close to DeSantis world recently mused that his landslide 2022 win was in part because some of his first-term policies — like his strong record on environmental conservation — brought Democrats and independents into the fold. His current slip in the polls, this source argues, is because he has moved too far to the right.
It’s interesting he tried to distance himself from his environmental policies in that exchange with Haley about fracking.
Tensions have long simmered between the camps of Scott and Haley, both South Carolina natives. This question tees up those tensions to flare in public, though Scott doesn’t seem to be the one to take the first swing. Moments later, Haley takes a shot.
Scott's going for a balanced budget amendment, one of the key planks of John Kasich’s 2016 campaign. And, well, that didn’t go all that well…
College student: Mike Pence doesn't connect with young people
NBC News is watching the debate at New England College with eight college students who vote in New Hampshire.
“I have great respect for Mike Pence, and Ronald Reagan’s legacy is one that absolutely must continue to influence the GOP, but his answers are remarkably out of touch with my generation. He can’t choose whether to make a joke, and he doesn’t seem to know what TikTok is. He sounds like he’s on the 2008 debate stage, and I think my generation sees that,” said Jack Coleman, 20, a Republican voter in New Hampshire and a student at Dartmouth College.
Haley was introduced tonight as the former governor of South Carolina, skipping her more recent/higher title of U.N. ambassador. We asked the campaign this morning which one she prefers; it dodged a direct answer but settled on “‘governor’ is always great.” It appears to be leaning more into her domestic leadership title even as she touts her foreign policy experience repeatedly tonight.
On the trail, she usually just skips it and says, “Just call me Nikki.”
NBC News is watching the debate at New England College with eight college students who vote in New Hampshire.
Michael Toronto, 19, an independent voter, said that if the New Hampshire primary were held today, he would vote for Haley.
“Nikki Haley seems to be the only one answering questions, and she is doing so very well,” he said.
Before the debate started, Toronto’s top candidates were DeSantis and Pence.
Moments of tons of overtalk like these are why multiple campaign aides have called the debate tonight a “hot mess.”
NBC News is watching the debate at Aase Haugen, a Christian retirement community in Decorah, Iowa, with seven caucusgoers.
“He achieved, not we achieved!” Kent Shuchmann, a two-time Trump supporter, yelled at the screen, accusing Pence of taking credit for Trump’s accomplishments.
Burgum tries to interject “as the only person who’s leading an energy state” on the question about energy — one of his top three campaign issues. He is denied.