Full coverage of the 1st Republican debate of the 2024 presidential campaign season from Milwaukee.

By Grace Lovins and Serena Balani
10/25/2023 • 08:51 AM EST

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: Click or tap on any techniquesee definition - the definition will be displayed here.
that appears in bold to show its definition.
: projectionsee definition - accusing an opponent of using the same underhanded tactics or committing the same misdeeds the accuser is guilty of.
: DeSantis accuses other wealthy politicians of running up the national debt, when he has voted for legislation and debt ceiling increases that ran up the national debt.[1][2]
: passing the bucksee definition - shifting blame onto someone else for self-exoneration or to direct attention away from those really at fault.
: For NJ's credit rating being downgraded 11 times under Christie to former governors.[3]
: adding qualifierssee definition - adding an extra word or phrase to a response that makes it ultimately meaningless, but still leaves the desired impression.
: Scott saying he "had an opportunity" to vote against spending packages doesn't necessarily mean he voted against spending packages.
: exaggerationsee definition - stretching the truth to make something seem more powerful or meaningful than it actually is.
: Actual estimates of spending power range from a loss of $7,400 to a gain of $5 in real disposable personal income.[4]
: misleading claimsee definition - a statement with a few elements or kernel of truth, which can easily be proven deceptive or fundamentally untrue.
: The 2017 bill Scott helped write produced a $60 tax break for the poorest households, $780 for middle-income, and about $50,000 for the top 1%.[5]
: passing the bucksee definition - shifting blame onto someone else for self-exoneration or to direct attention away from those really at fault.
: For trillions in federal spending to just Covid-19.
: glittering generalitiessee definition - vague, emotionally charged language that evokes strong feelings or associations, but offers few if any specifics.
: About saving the American Dream by, not running from something, but running to something — to a vision of what it means to be an American, and passing the keys to a broken car, not to the people who broke it, but to a new generation to fix it.
: misleading claimsee definition - a statement with a few elements or kernel of truth, which can easily be proven deceptive or fundamentally untrue.
: Military spending on average was slightly higher under Obama ($3 to 2.9 trillion), the economy had already largely recovered before 2016, and U.S. oil production rose more rapidly under Obama.[6][7][8]
: euphemismsee definition - replacing language that is accurate but may be offensive to the target audience with language that is more palatable or appealing.
: Using "that gave ... the right to life" rather than saying "that repealed Roe vs. Wade."
: passing the bucksee definition - shifting blame onto someone else for self-exoneration or to direct attention away from those really at fault.
: For trillions in federal spending to the past administration and Covid-19.
: oversimplificationsee definition - treating a complex problem or subject with false simplicity by omitting or ignoring complicating factors or details.
: labelingsee definition - casting a person or group into a rigid, stereotypical identity and assigning names or attributes to that identity.
: Pence characterizes Ramaswamy as an unqualified rookie.
: false claimsee definition - a statement that is directly contradicted by fact and can be easily proven untrue.
: During the Covid-19 pandemic, states and localities, NOT the federal government, locked down the economy.[9]
: false claimsee definition - a statement that is directly contradicted by fact and can be easily proven untrue.
: DeSantis himself, not federal bureaucrats, issued stay-at-home orders for the entire state of Florida.[10]
: labelingsee definition - casting a person or group into a rigid, stereotypical identity and assigning names or attributes to that identity.
: Ramaswamy characterizes all his opponents as inauthentic puppets and himself as an authentic patriot and revolutionary.
: adding qualifierssee definition - adding an extra word or phrase to a response that makes it ultimately meaningless, but still leaves the desired impression.
: Ramaswamy saying the climate change "agenda" is a hoax doesn't necessarily mean he thinks climate change itself is a hoax.
: false claimsee definition - a statement that is directly contradicted by fact and can be easily proven untrue.
: No deaths have been linked to bad climate change policies, while approximately 2 million deaths have been linked to climate change.[11]
: guilt by associationsee definition - discrediting an opponent by linking them with a person, group, or entity viewed negatively by the target audience.
: Christie uses Ramaswamy's opening statement to identify him with Obama.
: slogansee definition - a brief, striking phrase designed to be memorable, evoke emotional appeal, and reinforce a specific message or idea.
: "If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman."
: passing the bucksee definition - shifting blame onto someone else for self-exoneration or to direct attention away from those really at fault.
: To China and India for curbing emissions (when the U.S. has higher per capita emissions than both countries).[12]
: false claimsee definition - a statement that is directly contradicted by fact and can be easily proven untrue.
: Biden's subsidies for renewable energy do appear to be working.[13]
: false equivalencesee definition - implying that two things are essentially the same, despite being significantly different, by focusing on anecdotal or superficial similarities.
: Between his electability in Florida and his electability in a national race.
: euphemismsee definition - replacing language that is accurate but may be offensive to the target audience with language that is more palatable or appealing.
: Using "a culture of life" rather than saying "banning abortion after six weeks of pregnancy."
: straw mansee definition - misrepresenting an opponent's position or argument to make it easier to attack, usually by exaggerating, distorting, or just completely fabricating it.
: Democrats in Congress support abortion up to the moment of birth, IF the mother’s health or life is at risk.[12]
: half truthsee definition - a statement that is essentially true, but lacking critical information and presented as the whole truth.
: DeSantis brings up a botched late-term abortion, without mentioning the abortion he cites was performed in 1955 by a family member with a hanger, when abortion was still outlawed.[14]
: euphemismsee definition - replacing language that is accurate but may be offensive to the target audience with language that is more palatable or appealing.
: Saying that he's going to "stand on the side of life" or "support the cause of life" rather than saying he "would sign a 6 week abortion ban federally."
: honor by associationsee definition - defending or championing cultural sacred cows to transfer the respect, authority, and prestige associated with those symbols onto oneself.
: Pence invoking his faith in Jesus Christ and quoting biblical scripture aligns him with the moral authority and reverence associated with Christianity and its teachings.
: baseless claimsee definition - a bold statement that is presented as accepted or established fact, with no discernable evidence to support the claim.
: Consensus is the opposite of leadership.
: misleading claimsee definition - a statement with a few elements or kernel of truth, which can easily be proven deceptive or fundamentally untrue.
: 70% of Americans support a 28-week ban, not a 15-week ban on abortion.[12]
: straw mansee definition - misrepresenting an opponent's position or argument to make it easier to attack, usually by exaggerating, distorting, or just completely fabricating it.
: States like CA, NY, and IL have abortion up until the day of birth, IF there are fetal abnormalities or risk to the life or health of the mother.[12]
: euphemismsee definition - replacing language that is accurate but may be offensive to the target audience with language that is more palatable or appealing.
: Saying "fight for life" rather than saying "ban abortion."
: innuendosee definition - implying something negative or controversial without explicitly stating it, leaving the audience to infer the intended meaning.
: Haley seems to imply that Biden and Harris might be in favor of abortions at 38 weeks or later.
: baseless claimsee definition - a bold statement that is presented as accepted or established fact, with no discernable evidence to support the claim.
: Local prosecutors are to blame for the rise in violent crime.[15]
: false claimsee definition - a statement that is directly contradicted by fact and can be easily proven untrue.
: Many states prisons are already operating at or above operational capacity.[16]
: false claimsee definition - a statement that is directly contradicted by fact and can be easily proven untrue.
: Hunter Biden is facing 10 years maximum, not mandatory minimum.[17]
: glittering generalitiessee definition - vague, emotionally charged language that evokes strong feelings or associations, but offers few if any specifics.
: About addressing a mental health epidemic by acknowledging the national identity crisis, with the remedy being a tonal reset from the top about what it means to be an American and remembering who we really are.
: half truthsee definition - a statement that is essentially true, but lacking critical information and presented as the whole truth.
: DeSantis mentions that crime is at a 50-year low in Florida, without mentioning that it's been at a 50-year low in Florida every year since 2008.[12]
: baseless claimsee definition - a bold statement that is presented as accepted or established fact, with no discernable evidence to support the claim.
: Local prosecutors are responsible for the rise in violent crime.[15]
: whataboutismsee definition - discrediting a criticism by accusing hypocrisy to shift the focus away from oneself and onto others.
: Ramaswamy shifts the focus from Trump being motivated by vengeance and grievance to Christie being motivated by vengeance and grievance.
: guilt by associationsee definition - discrediting an opponent by linking them with a person, group, or entity viewed negatively by the target audience.
: Ramaswamy uses criticism of Trump to identify the critic with MSNBC.
: guilt by associationsee definition - discrediting an opponent by linking them with a person, group, or entity viewed negatively by the target audience.
: Ramaswamy again identifies Christie with MSNBC.
: adding qualifierssee definition - adding an extra word or phrase to a response that makes it ultimately meaningless, but still leaves the desired impression.
: Scott saying school parents are being called domestic terrorists "under this DOJ" doesn't necessarily mean school parents are being called domestic terrorists by anyone in the DOJ.[12]
: false dichotomysee definition - giving the impression that only two opposing options exist while ignoring the possibility of any middle ground or nuanced alternatives.
: Between deciding the next president based on past history or future goals, while ignoring that both can be taken into consideration.
: guilt by associationsee definition - discrediting an opponent by linking them with a person, group, or entity viewed negatively by the target audience.
: DeSantis uses the appraisal of Jan 6th to identify the appraiser with Democrats.
: guilt by associationsee definition - discrediting an opponent by linking them with a person, group, or entity viewed negatively by the target audience.
: Burgum uses the appraisal of past events to identify the appraiser with Biden and China.
: innuendosee definition - implying something negative or controversial without explicitly stating it, leaving the audience to infer the intended meaning.
: Pence seems to imply that Kamala Harris might try to overturn the election if Biden loses in 2024.
: false claimsee definition - a statement that is directly contradicted by fact and can be easily proven untrue.
: EU Institutions have provided over 77 billion euros to Ukraine, while the U.S. has provided 23.8 billion euros.[18]
: false dichotomysee definition - giving the impression that only two opposing options exist while ignoring the possibility of any middle ground or nuanced alternatives.
: Between providing military aid to Ukraine and securing the U.S. southern border, while ignoring the option of doing both.
: false dichotomysee definition - giving the impression that only two opposing options exist while ignoring the possibility of any middle ground or nuanced alternatives.
: Between providing military aid to Ukraine and securing the U.S. southern border, while ignoring the option of doing both.
: false claimsee definition - a statement that is directly contradicted by fact and can be easily proven untrue.
: 87000 IRS agents were never hired, but are due to be hired over the next decade, with the majority not as revenue agents.[19]
: cherry pickingsee definition - presenting only evidence that confirms your position, while ignoring or withholding an often more significant portion that contradicts it.
: A 90% reduction in illegal immigration during Trump's term is only possible if Pence is comparing apprehensions for the 1 month with the most apprehensions to the 1 month with the least, while ignoring the average.[20]
: slogansee definition - a brief, striking phrase designed to be memorable, evoke emotional appeal, and reinforce a specific message or idea.
: We need education in this country, not indoctrination in this country.
: misleading claimsee definition - a statement with a few elements or kernel of truth, which can easily be proven deceptive or fundamentally untrue.
: There is no evidence that critical race theory was being taught in Florida’s K-12 schools.[11]
: common folksee definition - connecting with an audience by giving the impression that you understand and share their everyday struggles and concerns.
: appeal to traditionsee definition - suggesting that moving away from or abandoning a long-standing practice could have detrimental or even dangerous implications.
: Ramaswamy suggests that the modern societal emphasis on diversity has been harmful to national unity and prosperity, favoring a return to a set of American ideals reminiscent of 1776.

Number of techniques detected in the 2:02:17 runtime of this video clip:


References
1. "How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill". The New York Times. Published: December 19, 2017.

2. "Roll Call 69 | Bill Number: H. R. 1892". U.S. House of Representatives. Published: February 09, 2018.

3. "S&P Downgrade Of NJ Credit Deals Fresh Blow To Gov. Chris Christie". International Business Times. Published: September 10, 2014.

4. "Fact-checking the first Republican primary debate". The Washington Post. Published: August 24, 2023.

5. "Two Years of Evidence Show 2017 Tax Cuts Failed to Deliver Promised Economic Boost". Joint Economic Committee. Published: January 28, 2020.

6. "Trump’s False Military Equipment Claim". FactCheck.org. Published: August 28, 2023.

7. "Did Trump Create or Inherit the Strong Economy?". Joint Economic Committee. Published: February 04, 2020.

8. "How The Oil Industry Fared Under The Last Nine U.S. Presidents". OilPrice.com. Published: October 31, 2020.

9. "Why There’s No National Lockdown". The Atlantic. Published: March 31, 2020.

10. "Florida Governor Orders Statewide Lockdown". NPR. Published: April 01, 2020.

11. "Fact-Checking the First Republican Debate". The New York Times. Published: August 23, 2023.

12. "FactChecking the First GOP Debate". FactCheck.org. Published: August 24, 2023.

13. "Biden’s Green Subsidies Are Attracting Billions of Dollars to Red States". The Wall Street Journal. Published: January 23, 2023.

14. "The full story behind the abortion anecdote DeSantis used at debate". Tampa Bay Times. Published: August 26, 2023.

15. "Violent crime and public prosecution". Munk School of Global Affairs Public Policy. Published: October 20, 2022.

16. "State Prison Overcrowding and Capacity Data". University of Nebraska Omaha. Published: May 03, 2020.

18. "Ukraine Support Tracker". Kiel Institute for The World Economy. Published: July 31, 2023.