2024 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY: Breaking down the 3rd debate

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Last night’s Republican presidential debate in Miami was labeled as ‘do or die’ time for many of the candidates.

Two of the five on stage were South Carolinians, but neither are considered frontrunner Donald Trump’s biggest challenger.

“I was involved in a meeting. I’m afraid I missed all the fun last night,” said Gov. Henry McMaster. 

Last night in Miami at the third Republican debate, South Carolina senator Tim Scott said that if elected president, he would enact a nationwide abortion ban after 15 weeks.

“Giving states the ability to have 15 weeks to figure out the issue of life is long enough,” Scott said. “Going beyond that in my opinion is wrong and unethical.”

Fellow South Carolinian and former governor Nikki Haley stated that she does not thing there are enough votes for a nationwide abortion ban and the decision should be up to each individual state.

“Let’s focus on how to save as many babies as we can and support as many moms as we can,” Haley said. “We don’t need to divide America over this issue anymore.”

However, there was plenty of division between Haley and candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

“I’m unrestrained in speaking what needs to be spoken that the other people are not saying, stuff about the Republican party, Democratic party and the media,” Ramaswamy said. “My bet is that is going to be the winning political strategy.”

Another candidate went after Haley as well. Ron DeSantis was critical of Haley allowing Chinese companies to come to South Carolina. He also attacked the one person above him in the polls.

“If you look at where we were at in 2016, it’s a lot different,” DeSantis said. “Donald Trump is a lot different guy than he was in 2016. He should be here on this stage and explain why he should get another chance.”

Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie also called out Trump, citing the frontrunner’s recent legal issues.

“I don’t think there is any doubt anymore that on the January 6th case, he is going to be convicted,” Christie said. “The first witness in that trial that starts the day before Super Tuesday is Mark Meadows, his former chief of staff.”

While Trump has lost a few supporters, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster still supports the former president and does not believe that Trump is guilty of the 91 charges he is facing.

“I do not see the substance in those cases,” McMaster said. “I think his popularity is growing the more they find out about the charges that have no substance. I think he’s going to win the election.”

While DeSantis and Haley are second and third in the polls, Trump still holds the majority of Republican voters’ support according to recent polls.