Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis made their pitches for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination in a final debate before Iowa’s pivotal primary. The absence of front-runner Donald Trump led to expectations of direct criticism, but both candidates aimed to secure the position as his closest runner-up rather than challenge him directly. DeSantis, Florida’s governor, labeled Haley a “mealy-mouthed politician,” while Haley focused on criticizing his campaign spending. Despite repeated chances, neither candidate explicitly criticized Trump. With Chris Christie, a prominent Trump critic, dropping out earlier, the debate shaped up as a contest for the second position in Iowa, crucial for the primary season.