Republican presidential candidates Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley engaged in a high-stakes debate in Iowa, marking the final showdown before the critical Iowa caucuses on Monday. Notably absent was former President Donald Trump, who chose to skip this debate as well as previous ones. Despite Trump's significant lead in the state's polls, DeSantis and Haley saw this as an opportunity to showcase their policies, positions, and leadership styles in an intimate setting.
With expectations set at a second-place finish at best in Iowa, DeSantis and Haley aimed to exceed expectations and gain momentum heading into the New Hampshire primary. If Haley, for instance, outperformed expectations in Iowa and carried that energy into New Hampshire, she could potentially position herself as a strong contender. Trump, on the other hand, aims for a big win in Iowa to consolidate his ground game before storming through New Hampshire and ultimately triumphing in South Carolina.
