Democrats pummel Florida governor for abortion comments, attack Trump’s record on national debt and accuse GOP of wanting to tax middle class families as they react to first GOP debate

Democrats have raged over comments made by Republican candidates in the first presidential debate, labeling Ron DeSantis being as an ‘a-hole’ and ‘coward’ over his anti-abortion stance and accusing the GOP of wanting to tax middle class families.

The wide-ranging debate saw eight candidates, including former Vice President Mike Pence, Nikki Haley and Chris Christie, trade blows over topics including abortion, climate change and the economy.

Big name democrats, including Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and Nancy Pelosi, have since waded in to slam their political rivals’ proposed policies.

Harris described the debate as showing an ‘extremist agenda’ for the US, while President Biden tweeted: ‘Climate change is real, by the way.’

Meanwhile, many condemned DeSantis’ claim that Democrats are working to allow ‘abortion all the way up to the moment of birth’ as misleading.

‘No one is trying to allow abortions right up to birth,’ former Minnesota Senator Al Franken, tweeted. ‘You a**hole, DeSantis.’ 

The debate saw eight candidates, including former Vice President Mike Pence, Nikki Haley and Chris Christie, trade blows over topics including abortion, climate change and the economy

Franken went on to appear to correct himself before doubling down on his comments. ‘Sorry. I meant ‘you jerk,’ Franken continued. ‘No, ‘a**hole’ was right.’ 

Meanwhile, Former House Speaker Pelosi took aim at the candidates’ tax policies,

She posted on X: ‘Democrats delivered 13.4 million jobs, rescuing our economy by growing the middle class.’

‘But everyone at the [GOP debate] wants to harm working families sitting at their kitchen tables — to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy sitting at their boardroom tables,’ Pelosi claimed.

‘Not on our watch!’ she added.

Other leading Democrats were vocal in their anger over the candidates’ response to a question on climate change, including LA Mayor Karen Bass.

‘When the candidates on the #GOPDebate stage tonight were asked to raise their hands if they thought climate change was caused by humans, none of them did,’ she tweeted.

‘Los Angeles was just put under a tropical storm watch for the first time EVER. Absolutely shameful. Lives are at risk

Maryland representative Jamie Raskin labelled DeSantis a ‘coward’ over his views on climate change.

He posted on X: ‘Three taboo topics at tonight’s GOP race-to-the-bottom debate: Climate change (pretend it doesn’t exist!) A nationwide ban on abortion (shh!) Gun violence (don’t offend NRA!)’

J.L. Partners conducted an online poll to reach 504 registered Republicans who watched the Wednesday’s debate. The results come with a margin of error of 4.4 percent

Raskin also took aim at Rawaswamy, mocking him for what he suggested was his soft stance on Russia.

‘Ramaswamy is now seriously competing with Donald Trump to win the Vladimir Putin primary. Putin has a new pet in the GOP!’

As well as attacking the Democrats, the GOP candidates for the 2024 election used the Fox News debate on Wednesday night to squabble with one another.

Ramaswamy, who has since emerged as the favourite, was called an ‘amateur’ and a ‘rookie’ as he fended off attacks from all his opponents on stage during furious confrontations.

DeSantis tried to avoid the crossfire by focusing attacks on President Biden and touting how he would deal with the border crisis. 

Meanwhile, Pence said he would back a federal abortion ban and Christie was booed for saying Trump’s conduct was ‘beneath the office’ of the president.