Ep. 1864 – The Fourth Republican FIGHT NIGHT | The Ben Shapiro Show

Intro

In this episode of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” Ben discusses the fourth Republican debate and its key takeaways. He analyzes the differences between candidates Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley, the continued influence of Donald Trump, and the importance of foreign policy in the upcoming election. Ben also touches on other topics such as healthcare, the movie “Lady Ballers,” and the rise of antisemitism on college campuses.

Main Takeaways

The Importance of Governance and Policy Positions

• The fourth Republican debate may be a footnote in history, but it was the most interesting of the race, showcasing the importance of governance and policy positions.

Differences Between Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley

• The battle between Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley revealed serious differences in social issues, with DeSantis highlighting his accomplishments in governance, setting him apart from his opponents.
• DeSantis is positioned as the most classically conservative candidate, drawing inspiration from President Calvin Coolidge and emphasizing the proper role of the federal government under the Constitution.
• A key differentiating point between DeSantis and Haley is their governance style, as evidenced by their stance on the issue of transgenders using particular bathrooms.

The Continued Influence of Donald Trump

• The debate highlighted that Donald Trump is still a dominant force on the right due to his strong support from his tenure as a 2016 candidate and his conservative policies.
• Attacks from Ron DeSantis against Trump fell flat as Democrats still believe Trump is the most beatable nominee for the Republicans, despite current polls showing Trump ahead of Biden.
• There is no reservoir of anger at Trump among Republicans, indicating that Trump’s support within the party remains strong.

The Rise of Antisemitism on College Campuses

• University presidents faced backlash for their response to calls for violence against Jewish students, with some backtracking their statements.
• Even some Democrats criticized the university presidents for their response to antisemitism, with Harvard ranking poorly for support of free speech and denouncing antisemitism.
• Colleges have strict speech codes, except when it comes to anti-Jewish rhetoric, revealing a double standard.

Summary

The Importance of Governance and Policy Positions

The fourth Republican debate may not be remembered as a significant event, but it showcased the importance of governance and policy positions in the race. Candidates’ accomplishments in governance, such as Ron DeSantis highlighting his achievements, set them apart from their opponents. DeSantis, positioning himself as a classically conservative candidate, draws inspiration from President Calvin Coolidge and emphasizes the proper role of the federal government under the Constitution. The debate also highlighted differences in governance style, particularly in the stance on transgender individuals using specific bathrooms.

The Continued Influence of Donald Trump

Donald Trump remains a dominant force on the right, with strong support from his tenure as a 2016 candidate and his conservative policies. Despite attacks from Ron DeSantis against Trump, Democrats still believe Trump is the most beatable nominee for the Republicans, although current polls show Trump ahead of Biden. Republicans show no reservoir of anger towards Trump, indicating his continued support within the party.

The Rise of Antisemitism on College Campuses

University presidents faced criticism for their response to calls for violence against Jewish students, with some backtracking their statements. Even some Democrats joined in the criticism, with Harvard ranking poorly for its support of free speech and denouncing antisemitism. The existence of strict speech codes on college campuses, except when it comes to anti-Jewish rhetoric, reveals a double standard in the treatment of different forms of hate speech.

Conclusion

The fourth Republican debate provided insights into the importance of governance and policy positions, the continued influence of Donald Trump, and the rise of antisemitism on college campuses. These topics highlight the ongoing debates within the Republican party and the challenges faced in addressing social issues and hate speech. As the election approaches, it will be interesting to see how these issues shape the political landscape.