Jen Psaki: Why the GOP debate was especially alarming

These eyebrow-raising moments should get more attention [VIEW IN BROWSER]( MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news with Jen Psaki [VIEW IN BROWSER]( MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news with Jen Psaki Saturday, November 11, 2023 [Why the GOP debate was especially alarming]( [Alternate text] [By Jen Psaki]( [Wednesday night’s debate](was basically a competition for second place in a field that will only continue to narrow. Barring an earthshaking development, Donald Trump will become the nominee. But there were still a few moments that should scare the hell out of everyone. I am not talking about the group’s full-throated [support for an abortion ban]( (although that is scary, too). No, I am talking about the Republican candidates’ lack of nuance as they attempted to outdo one another’s unlimited support for Israel’s military campaign. This wasn’t support for Israel’s right to defend itself — with some important caveats. Neither did we hear any mention of [abiding by international law](, [concern for civilian casualties](, [acknowledgement of the humanitarian crisis]( or even the word “Palestinian.” Instead, we got an escalating set of hawkish platitudes. Ron DeSantis pledged to tell Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to [“finish the job.”]( Nikki Haley urged Israel to [“finish them”]( and Vivek Ramaswamy claimed he’d [“go a step further”]( than anyone onstage. Even more alarming, two of the candidates seemed to advocate for expanding the war by [bombing Iran more directly](. Again, it’s highly unlikely that any of these debaters will be making decisions as commander-in-chief anytime soon. But their positions represent the views of the Republican base (or at least what they think the Republican base stands for), and that is scary enough. [Read more exclusive insights from Jen Psaki here.]( //link.msnbc.com/click/33337507.74437/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubXNuYmMuY29tL2luc2lkZS13aXRoLWplbi1wc2FraS9oaWxsYXJ5LWNsaW50b24tamVuLXBzYWtpLWludGVydmlldy1yY25hMTExNDU1P2NpZD1lbWxfbWRhXzIwMjMxMTExJnVzZXJfZW1haWw9ZDdkYzc0NTE3Mjk3YjM5NzFhYTE0ZDZmMzMxMTM1YTA4NzhmOGY2NDBmYTFhMTAxOWYxNTdiNjVjMWI1ZGQxZA/58292da26e4adc7b0b8b4914B2b8de7fcAnd tune into “Inside with Jen Psaki” Mondays at 8 p.m. ET, and Sundays at 12 p.m. ET on MSNBC.     TOP STORIES [Alternate text] [KATELYN BURNS]( [Republicans thought they could win by attacking trans Americans. They thought wrong.]( Anti-trans advocate Terry Schilling spent millions attacking Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear for vetoing anti-trans legislation. Beshear won re-election rather easily. [Read more.]( [Trump]( [CLARISSA-JAN LIM]( //link.msnbc.com/click/33337507.74437/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubXNuYmMuY29tL21zbmJjL21zbmJjL3Jvbi1kZXNhbnRpcy1pbnNvbGVzLWhlZWxzLWdvcC1wcmltYXJ5LXJjbmExMjM0OTQ_Y2lkPWVtbF9tZGFfMjAyMzExMTEmdXNlcl9lbWFpbD1kN2RjNzQ1MTcyOTdiMzk3MWFhMTRkNmYzMzExMzVhMDg3OGY4ZjY0MGZhMWExMDE5ZjE1N2I2NWMxYjVkZDFk/58292da26e4adc7b0b8b4914C807c22f7[Judge Cannon declines to delay classified docs trial at this time. Team Trump celebrates.]( In her order Friday, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon kept the May 2024 start date but left open the possibility of pushing it later. [Read more.]( [ZEESHAN ALEEM]( [What John Fetterman doesn't understand about civilian casualties in Gaza]( Fetterman’s claim is meant to shield Israel from international condemnation and sanctions. But it’s a misleading one.Read more.]( [LISA RUBIN]( [Legal observers expected a mistrial motion in N.Y. And then a curious letter emerged.]( The mistrial motion some legal observers were expecting never came. Instead, ethical misconduct allegations came into full bloom in Stefanik's letter. [Read more.]( TOP VIDEOS [Alternate text] [ALL IN]( [MAGA Mike Johnson believes 'Bible comes first over the Constitution,']([says Raskin]( [THE REIDOUT]( [Tucker Carlson's extreme views were behind his ousting from Fox: Brian Stelter reveals in new book]( [11TH HOUR]( [Friday Nightcap: Should companies weigh in on Israel-Hamas war]( [ALL IN]( ['Unfathomably reckless:' Hayes on the targeting of journalists amid Israel-Hamas war]( [MORE FROM MSNBC]( [Alternate text] Tomorrow, 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,” tomorrow at 10 p.m. ET on MSNBC and streaming on Peacock.   In the latest episode of “Prosecuting Donald Trump,” the former president took the witness stand on Monday in the biggest moment of his civil and criminal trials thus far. MSNBC legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord dig into some of his big admissions and how badly he may have hurt himself. Plus, they’ll get into the former president’s latest efforts to delay his federal trials and the new criticism facing Judge Aileen Cannon in the Florida documents case. [Listen now.](   MSNBC INSIGHTS [Alternate text] Have you ever wanted to provide MSNBC with your opinion about their TV programs, documentaries, and digital products, such as MSNBC.com, newsletters, and podcasts? Now is your chance! 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