What to Watch in the Third Republican Presidential Debate
The Republican presidential primary debate stage Wednesday evening will shrink from seven to five participants, but the central character—former President Donald Trump—will still be absent and is likely to keep benefiting as his challengers beat each other up. The third debate starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time and will be moderated by Lester Holt and Kristen Welker of NBC News and Hugh Hewitt of the Salem Radio Network.
It will air on broadcast and cable television and be streamed on NBCNews.com and Rumble. Here is a closer look at how the candidates will likely tackle the two-hour session at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County: Nikki Haley Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who has moved up in polls in recent weeks, is likely to be a top target as others try to slow her momentum.
Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have both boosted their criticism of her, and the former United Nations ambassador will likely be in the center of the action. If attacks start flying in her direction, don’t be surprised to hear her drop a “bless your heart," a popular Southern phrase Haley likes that she has described as a “nice way of kicking with a smile." Strong reviews for Haley’s two previous debate performances have boosted her standing with some donors and GOP voters.
The emergence of the Israel-Hamas war has also given her foreign-policy experience some added shine. An Iowa Poll late last month showed Haley tied with DeSantis for second place in the state that will host the first nominating contest on Jan. 15.
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