‘If y’all stay in the race, Trump wins’: Republican candidates get brutal reality from moderator Dana Perino — and refuse to answer question of who should drop out to help defeat former president
- The Republican hopefuls were told by debate moderator Dana Perino that former President Donald Trump would win the Republican Party primaries if some did not drop out
- She wanted them to write down the name of the person they most thought would withdraw from the 2024 presidential race
- The seven White House hopefuls declined, leaving the question unanswered as they wrapped up the Republican Party’s second primary debate
The seven Republicans who participated in the Republican Party’s second primary debate on Wednesday evening received a brutal dose of reality from moderator Dana Perino.
Perino, a Fox News host and former White House press secretary, noted that it was “now clear” that if they all stayed in the race “former President Donald Trump wins the nomination.”
Trump has absolutely dominated the GOP primaries — with the current Real Clear Politics Polling average putting him 42.2 points ahead of the second-place candidate, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
“So which one of you on stage tonight should be voted off the island?” Perino asked, instructing Republican White House hopefuls to name the person they thought should drop out.
The group refused, with DeSantis, who was at center, leading the charge.
The seven Republicans who took part in the Republican Party’s second primary debate on Wednesday evening got a brutal dose of reality from moderator Dana Perino: it was ‘now clear’ that if they all stayed in the race ‘former President Donald Trump wins the nomination’
Dana Perino, Fox News host and former White House press secretary, wanted the candidates to write on notecards who they think should drop out of the race
“I’m not going to do that, with all due respect, we’re here, we like to debate, I think that’s disrespectful to my fellow competitors,” DeSantis said.
The other Republicans nodded in agreement.
“Then if you don’t want to answer that question, let me ask you this: What is your mathematical path, Governor DeSantis, to try to defeat President Trump, who has a commanding and lasting lead in this race?”
The governor of Florida, who has not been within a stone’s throw of Trump in surveys since March, responded: “Polls don’t choose presidents, voters choose presidents.”
DeSantis said he would take his case to voters in early states — something he has been doing for months in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada, and yet his numbers remain stagnant.
Moderator Stuart Varney called out former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and said he thought Christie had written down a name.
Christie replied in the negative.
“No, but I will definitely tell you: Look, I think I’m the only one on this stage who has been clear about this: I would vote Donald Trump off the island right now and the reason why I would vote him off the island voting island, every The person on this stage has shown respect for Republican voters,” Christie argued.
He continued, “I respect every man and woman on this stage because they….”
“Vivek, put your hand down for a moment, will you? I still got time, dude, so chill out,” Christie said, directing his ire at entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who was attacked on stage by several contenders.
Former UN Ambassador at one point. Nikki Haley told the 38-year-old, “Honestly, every time I hear you say what you say makes me feel a little dumber.”
Yet she refused to vote him off the island.
Ramaswamy, for his part, was given the opportunity to be the final speaker at the second GOP debate and said he thought Trump was an “excellent president” but that voters should look for a candidate who would support the MAGA movement of Trump would take to the ‘next’. level.’
“So yes, I will respect Donald Trump and his legacy… but I will unite this country to take the America First agenda to the next level,” the entrepreneur said.