Republican Primary 2024 news update for 10-16-2023 - Trump calls Hezbollah Smart

This is the Republican Primary 2024 podcast and In today's political episode, we bring you the latest from the 2024 Republican Primary race. The last three days have seen some significant developments. According to a recent Morning Consult poll, former President Donald Trump is ahead, but his support is sliding as his comments continue to be baseless and full of lies. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has 12% and Vivek Ramaswamy at 9%. But it hasn't been smooth sailing for DeSantis, whose approval ratings have slid due to his handling of Hurricane Ian and a public feud with Trump. Meanwhile, Nikki Haley's support has inched up, with her being the only candidate besides Trump and DeSantis to hit double-digit support. Other contenders in the race include Mike Pence, Asa Hutchinson, and Senator Tim Scott. On October 12, former Representative Will Hurd bid adieu to the race. Once viewed as a GOP rising star, Hurd found it tough to find footing in a Trump and DeSantis dominated field. A day later, Trump was in Sarasota, Florida, unleashing a barrage of attacks on DeSantis and other primary rivals. And yes, he revisited his unproven claims on the 2020 elections. On October 14, Nikki Haley was in Iowa, shedding light on her tenure as South Carolina's governor and taking jabs at Trump over COVID-19 and the Afghanistan exit. DeSantis took to Fox News the following day, defending his governance in Florida and critiquing the Biden administration on economic and border issues. Now, let's pivot overseas. Trump's recent comments on Israeli leadership raised eyebrows. He made contentious remarks about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and referred to Hezbollah as "smart" following a Hamas-led attack on Israel. GOP figures, including Haley and DeSantis, were quick to voice their objections. In a swift move, Trump later softened his stance, showing support for Israel and Netanyahu. Back to the primary trail, NBC News has announced its third Republican presidential primary debate on November 8 in Miami. And Fox News polls? They're pointing at Haley gaining momentum in crucial battlegrounds, while DeSantis remains in the lead in many matchups against President Joe Biden. In legal updates, West Virginia has seen a motion filed to keep Trump off its 2024 GOP primary ballot. And in Nevada, Senator Tim Scott has thrown his hat into the primary ring, a move seen as candidates opting for state primaries over party caucuses. Interestingly, Mike Pence has taken the Nevada primary route, accusing the GOP caucus of bias towards Trump. Finally, speaking of strategy, Nikki Haley is showcasing her knack for political theatrics, embracing a playful nickname she received during the second GOP primary debate. That wraps up our comprehensive update on the 2024 Republican Primary race. Stay tuned for more news and updates and if you like this podcast, check out the SBF on Trial podcast covering the events of the Sam Bankman Freed Trial. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.