During the fourth Republican presidential primary debate in Alabama, an intense verbal exchange occurred between former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. The heated argument revolved around former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley’s foreign policy expertise and her stance on the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
NewsNation hosted the debate where Ramaswamy questioned Haley’s knowledge of the Ukrainian provinces for which she was advocating American military support. He argued that both Haley and President Joe Biden lack the necessary understanding of the region.
Ramaswamy claimed, “One thing that Joe Biden and Nikki Haley have in common is that neither of them could even state for you three provinces in eastern Ukraine that they want to send our troops to actually fight for.” He further criticized Haley’s lack of response, implying that she had no real grasp of the situation but was ready to commit U.S. troops and resources to the conflict.
The entrepreneur also took a swipe at Haley’s tenure at the United Nations, suggesting that her role there did not equate to proper foreign policy experience. He stated, “It takes an outsider to see this through — look at the blank expression. She doesn’t know the names of the provinces that she wants to actually fight for.”
Christie took strong issue with Ramaswamy’s remarks and his suggested approach to the Russia-Ukraine situation. He accused Ramaswamy of being disingenuous by denying statements he had made on the campaign trail when confronted during debates.
The former governor retorted: “This is the fourth debate that you would be voted in the first 20 minutes as the most obnoxious blowhard in America. So shut up for a little while!”
Ramaswamy responded by highlighting Christie’s lack of knowledge about the provinces in eastern Ukraine and mocking his famous bridge closure scandal. He stated, “Chris, your version of foreign policy experience was closing a bridge from New Jersey to New York. So do everybody a favor, just walk yourself off that stage, enjoy a nice meal, and get the hell out of this race.”
The debate ended with Christie criticizing Ramaswamy’s attitude, stating that he had a “smart a** mouth.” This exchange added another layer of drama to an already tense Republican primary season.
Vivek Ramaswamy said to Chris Christie what everyone watching the debate is thinking. pic.twitter.com/C6C3AcRbIw
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) December 7, 2023
Chris Christie notes he was the U.S. Attorney in NJ after 9/11, so he knew "the threat of terrorism and bullying in this country and around the world" while Vivek Ramaswamy was "sitting with his smartass mouth at Harvard and, back then, he was a Democrat." #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/9TVOWy7y5R
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) December 7, 2023
