Nikki Haley takes lead in fiery Republican debate with Ron DeSantis

In a fiery head-to-head clash at Drake University in Des Moines, the fifth Republican debate witnessed an assertive performance by former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, securing the verdict of four out of five veteran political observers surveyed by The Post. 

Republican consultant Bill O’Riley highlighted Haley's excellence, describing her night as "great" and applauding her consistently sharp and compelling debate performances.

Haley's strategic use of "DeSantisLies.com" was deemed a smart rhetorical tactic, leaving a lasting impact on viewers. In contrast, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis hit his marks, concerns were raised about his confidence and lack of momentum. 

O’Riley pointed out that DeSantis' use of the phrase "pale pastels" to describe Haley's ideas, a nod to Ronald Reagan, appeared bizarre and may not resonate well.

Rob Ryan, another Republican consultant, critiqued DeSantis for starting too aggressively, lacking humour, and repeatedly labelling Haley a liar, potentially alienating some women voters. Haley, on the other hand, was praised for standing her ground, showcasing strength, and emphasising her accomplishments.

The debate also drew observations from the Democratic camp, where Hank Sheinkopf characterised Haley as a "bulldozer" successfully painting DeSantis as a liar. 

Sheinkopf noted that DeSantis appeared lost, particularly with the absence of former President Donald Trump, who opted for a Fox News town hall instead.

While DeSantis received credit for his statements on education, highlighting school choice expansion and challenging the teacher union in Miami, Haley's resilience shone through, especially in her honest stance on entitlements, specifically Social Security.

Despite the intense exchange, the looming shadow of Trump's absence led some experts to view the debate as a battle for secondary positions, akin to competing for bronze and silver medals. 

The overall sentiment suggested that Trump emerged as the silent winner, leaving the American people as the apparent losers in this high-stakes political showdown.