Explore the highlights of the second republican presidential debate, featuring fiery exchanges, policy discussions, and criticisms among the candidates, including Donald Trump’s notable absence and key moments that defined the event.
Seven Republican contenders convened in California for the second primary debate, where they took aim at President Biden, each other, and the challenges facing the nation. Meanwhile, the dominant front-runner, absent from the event, was former President Donald Trump, who chose to deliver a speech in Detroit. A recent CBS News poll revealed Trump’s substantial leads in Iowa and New Hampshire, the first two stops in the nomination race.
Second republican presidential debate participating candidates:
- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
- Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie
- North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum
- Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley
- Former Vice President Mike Pence
- Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina
- Vivek Ramaswamy
Here are the standout moments from the debate:
- DeSantis Calls Out Trump for Absence: DeSantis voiced his concern over Trump’s absence, describing it as being “missing in action.” In response to a query about whether populist Republicans bear responsibility for the shutdown, DeSantis emphasized, “He should have been here tonight, defending his record – that’s owed to you.” Furthermore, DeSantis took the opportunity to critique Trump for contributing over $7 trillion to the national debt during his presidency, a point Christie also echoed while rebuking his non-participation.
- Christie’s Take on Immigration: Christie criticized Biden for what he sees as a lack of enforcement of immigration laws, stating that “Our laws are being broken every day at the border, and Joe Biden and his team are not taking adequate measures to uphold them.” He further outlined his stance, mentioning that if elected, he would deploy the National Guard to the U.S. southern border.
- Ramaswamy Under Fire: Candidates once again focused their attention on Ramaswamy, honing in on his business history and ties to China. This repetition of criticism resembled the previous debate, with his opponents highlighting his business record.
Scott, for instance, challenged Ramaswamy’s credibility, questioning how he could claim that others were “bought and paid for” while having business affiliations with the Chinese Communist Party, which also financially supported Hunter Biden.
In response, Ramaswamy dismissed the accusation as “nonsense” and emphasized that he had withdrawn his company from the Chinese market, setting it apart from other firms that continued their operations there. He underlined, “With my first company, we established a subsidiary in China, but what truly distinguishes us is that we decided to exit that market entirely.”
Sharp Exchange on U.S. Support for Ukraine:
Candidates engaged in a spirited and contentious exchange concerning the United States’ stance on supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia’s ongoing invasion. This discussion showcased some of the most profound disparities in opinion throughout the entire debate and highlighted the significance of this issue in ongoing negotiations aimed at averting a government shutdown in Washington.
DeSantis emphasized the importance of ending the conflict, citing it as a critical U.S. interest. Scott, on the other hand, argued for the necessity of weakening the Russian military, stating that it aligns with our national interests, both in the present and for the foreseeable future. He emphasized that an attack on NATO territory could potentially draw American troops into the conflict.
Ramaswamy took a different stance, advocating for greater transparency with the American people. He cautioned against viewing Ukraine solely through the lens of Putin’s leadership, suggesting that Ukraine’s actions should be scrutinized independently. Haley interjected with a provocative assertion that a Russian victory is China victory, playfully alluding to Ramaswamy’s alleged affinity for Russia. Pence, in support of continued aid to Ukraine, emphasized the importance of strength as a means to achieve peace. Meanwhile, Christie adamantly voiced his concerns, warning that ceding any part of Ukraine to Russia could potentially embolden further aggression, extending beyond Ukraine to include other nations like Poland.
Haley vs. Ramaswamy on TikTok:
Nikki Haley criticized Ramaswamy for joining TikTok and questioned whether the commander in chief should be influenced by influencers. Ramaswamy defended his strategy to reach the younger generation, leading to a heated exchange where Haley expressed her distrust of TikTok.
The second Republican presidential debate witnessed fiery exchanges, policy debates, and pointed criticism, shedding light on the diverse perspectives within the Republican Party.