The Republican debate's biggest losers

Why the debate is good news for Trump SPECIAL EDITION Thursday, Nov. 09, 2023 [A photo of Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy]( This is the third edition of MSNBC's pop-up newsletter covering the 2024 election. [Click here]( to continue receiving this special offering of race updates and expert analysis.   [Brian Tyler Cohen: A win, a loss, and a lie from the third Republican presidential debate]( [Brian Tyler Cohen: A win, a loss, and a lie from the third Republican presidential debate]( A win: [Yet again](, the [candidates on the debate stage]( appeared wholly incapable of thwarting the ascendant candidacy of former President Donald Trump. If the goal is to become president, which their appearances on a presidential primary debate stage would suggest, all five candidates should have been gunning for the only Republican standing between them and the GOP nomination. And yet, with thinly veiled swipes that were at best mealy-mouthed, no contenders emerged as remotely viable alternatives to Trump. The primary campaign isn't technically over — so why does it feel like it is? A loss: Abortion is arguably the most potent issue facing Americans right now. And yet [Ron DeSantis](, [Nikki Haley](, [Tim Scott]( and [Vivek Ramaswamy]( all stood on the Miami stage and reaffirmed their anti-abortion positions. There were caveats and qualifications, with talk of “late term abortions” or the nonexistent concept of “infanticide.” Haley and Ramaswamy made weak mentions of adoption. But all four ultimately found ways to clearly reiterate their support for something that has been an obvious and consistent loser for Republicans ever since the Dobbs decision in 2022. In the wake of [decisive defeats in Ohio]( and [Virginia]( just 24 hours before, this group of Republicans apparently decided, “We’re not finished losing yet.” Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie also professed outrage at abortions performed late in the third trimester. "In my home state of New Jersey, it goes up to nine months you’re getting an abortion. I find that morally reprehensible," he said. Significantly, though, Christie criticized Republicans for spending 50 years saying abortion law should be decided by the states and then, after Roe v. Wade was overturned, flipping and arguing for a federal ban. "This is an issue that should be decided in each state," he said. "And I trust the people of this country, state by state, to make the call for themselves." A lie: First of all, apparently unbeknownst to Ron DeSantis, [the Green New Deal is not a law](. But beyond that, the whole reason China has dominance in the field of clean energy manufacturing is the refusal by Republicans to acknowledge the clean energy and renewable manufacturing boom in the first place. Such willful ignorance ceded that space to China, which quickly took advantage. Take solar panels, for example. According [to a new report from energy research firm Wood Mackenzie](, China "will have more than 80% of the world’s solar manufacturing capacity through 2026." The notion that the U.S. finally becoming competitive would somehow redound to the benefit of China is completely devoid of logic. TOP DEBATE ANALYSIS [Alternate text] [An illustration containing DeSantis, Ramaswamy. Haley, Scott and Christie]( [MSNBC Live Blog]( [Highlights from the third Republican presidential debate]( [A photo of Vivek Ramaswamy]( [Rachel Maddow]( ['You're just scum': GOP candidate attacks get personal — but will it matter?]( [A photo of Lawrence O'Donnell]( [Lawrence O'Donnell]( [This debate is being held 'in case Trump chokes on a cheeseburger']( [A photo of Ari Melber]( [Ari Melber]( ['The public sees through these lies': GOP must face consequences of anti-abortion policies]( [A photo of Joy Reid]( [Joy Reid]( [Voters just sent another message to Republicans: 'Abortion is a problem for you'](   This is the third edition of MSNBC's pop-up newsletter covering the 2024 election. [Click here]( to continue receiving this special offering of race updates and expert analysis. MORE ON MSNBC [Alternate text] Sunday, MSNBC Films presents “Serving in Secret,” the latest installment of “The Turning Point'' documentary series from executive producer Trevor Noah. The film traces the U.S. military’s long history of discrimination against the gay community and one couple’s personal journey for acceptance. Watch “Serving in Secret: Love, Country, and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Sunday at 10pm ET on MSNBC and streaming on Peacock.   In the latest episode of “How to Win 2024,” Jennifer Palmieri and The West Wing’s Bradley Whitford break down this week’s winners and losers — including what former Vice President Mike Pence’s exit from the race means for the GOP and why Representative Dean Phillips’ primary challenge against President Biden could backfire. Plus, MSNBC legal analyst Andrew Weissmann joins to dig into what former President Trump’s growing legal woes could mean for 2024. [Listen now.]( [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_midterms) | [PRIVACY]( | [CONTACT]( | [VIEW IN BROWSER]( [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_maddow) | [PRIVACY]( | [CONTACT]( | [VIEW IN BROWSER](