Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Tim Scott try to one-up each other on Israel at Iowa fundraiser
CORALVILLE, Iowa — Republican presidential candidates tried to one-up each other on foreign policy Friday as they took turns denouncing Hamas and President Joe Biden at a fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
Speaking from the bed of a bright red pickup truck at Miller-Meeks’ annual “Triple MMM” fundraiser in Iowa City, GOP candidates criticized the militant group’s recent attack on Israel and proposed a range of policy prescriptions they said would make America and its allies safer across the globe.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized Biden’s plan to send billions in humanitarian aid to Gaza that he said would be commandeered by Hamas. Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley called for Israel to “finish them” and said Biden should do “whatever it takes” to bring home American hostages.
Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson criticized those who do not clearly side with Israel. And U.S. Sen. Tim Scott accused Biden of “abdicating his responsibilities as commander in chief.”
“For those who do evil, the wrath of God should be the consequence,” Scott said, quoting scripture. “And I hope it comes with some Israeli and American hardware.”
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy was the exception to the aggressive rhetoric, warning that the United States could be on the brink of making the same mistakes that he said followed the 9/11 terrorist attacks and resulted in war in Afghanistan.
“I am deeply worried about the wisdom of this ongoing potentially imminent ground invasion to Gaza, which I do not believe is going to be good for Israel and do not believe it’s going to be good for the United States,” he said, arguing the position is “pro-Israel.”
Texas businessman and pastor Ryan Binkley and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum kept the bulk of their remarks focused on other issues. The two longshot candidates spent more time highlighting their biographies in an effort to introduce themselves to potential caucusgoers.
Iowa caucus calendar: See where the GOP presidential candidates are campaigning
Event puts candidates’ Israel messages in close contrast
Conversation about Israel has dominated the Iowa campaign trail in recent days, but this was the first time candidates appeared on the same stage since the Oct. 7 attacks, putting their remarks in close contrast.
The event comes as the candidates increase their investments and presence in the first-in-the-nation caucus state as the race enters its final 100 days.
But so far, only Trump, DeSantis, Haley and Ramaswamy have qualified for the November debate stage, and polling has remained stubbornly steady for Trump’s challengers who continue to trail him by large margins.
Though Trump was invited, he did not attend.
The crowd grew restless as the night wore on and Burgum and Hutchinson closed out the night, but the audience of a couple hundred continued to give polite applause, standing for each candidate as they finished speaking.
Businessman Perry Johnson had previously been slated to attend, but he suspended his presidential campaign earlier in the day.
Speaking to reporters after the event, Miller-Meeks praised Iowans for seriously considering all presidential candidates.
“Iowans take their job as electing the next president very seriously,” Miller-Meeks said. “They show up, they turn out.”
Ashley Streb, whose family runs Streb Construction where the event was hosted, said she appreciated the chance to see the candidates side by side. Right now, she says Scott, Haley and Ramaswamy are her top three contenders for the caucuses.
“For me, personally, it's going to come down to security of the nation and, obviously, the economy,” she said. “Everyone's in the same boat and grocery shopping is, you know, horrendous right now. The way that it affects my home is what's important to me. But then the grand scheme of things, national security, is also very important as well.”
She said the war in Gaza is a key piece of national security, but she’s also deeply concerned about the border and immigration policy.
“I feel a little stronger about that,” she said. “But I do think the Israel situation is very important as well.”
Democrats were critical as the parade of GOP contenders arrived in the state.
“While Iowans are getting ready to watch their Hawkeyes beat Minnesota, MAGA Republicans are visiting to tout the same extreme agenda that would undermine our national security, put our allies at risk, strip fundamental rights from millions of women, and rig the economy for big corporations while leaving working Iowans behind,” Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said in a statement.
DeSantis, Haley, Miller-Meeks call out Washington, DC, 'drama'
DeSantis and Haley also took time to address the ongoing drama among Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives, which has been without a permanent speaker for more than two weeks after hardline Republicans ousted U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy.
After three failed floor votes, House Republicans rescinded their endorsement of U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan for speaker Friday.
Miller-Meeks said she faced death threats following her high-profile break with a majority of House Republicans to vote against Jordan in the second and third round of balloting.
“I am never going to quit fighting for Iowa, and I am never going to quit fighting for this country,” Miller-Meeks said in a passionate defense of her vote to kick off the event. “So if you think you can intimidate me, go … suck it up, buttercup!”
DeSantis said he’s “been watching what's going on in D.C.,” and contrasted that with his administration in Florida.
“In Florida, we don't do the theater,” he said. “We don't do the drama. We don't do the palace intrigue. We just deliver results. And that's ultimately what it's all about.”
Haley, who is also the former governor of South Carolina, said, “You don't fix Democrat chaos with Republican chaos.”
“They need to get in a room and figure it out and get us a speaker and get on with their job,” she said to applause.
Haley said that when she was governor, Republicans controlled both chambers of the state Legislature “and they butted heads all the time.”
“What I would do is I'd bring them in a room and I'd say, ‘We're not leaving until you figure this out,’” she said. “And I never let South Carolinians see how the sausage was made. We need to start getting focused.”
Des Moines Register reporters Michaela Ramm and Katie Akin contributed to this report.
Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis call out House speaker 'drama' at Iowa event
