GOP Candidates Convene for Second Debate in California
On Wednesday, seven Republican contenders converged in California for the second primary debate. They primarily directed their criticisms at President Biden, even as the race’s evident front-runner addressed an audience from a distant location.
Key Topics Addressed by the Candidates
The participants delved into prominent matters, including the United Auto Workers strike, the anticipated government shutdown, immigration, and education. Most of the ongoing national challenges were attributed to President Biden’s administration.
Trump’s Undeniable Influence Over the Debate
Despite his absence, former President Donald Trump’s presence was unmistakably felt at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library debate. Choosing to deliver a speech near Detroit instead of attending the debate didn’t diminish his significance in the race. A recent CBS News poll revealed Trump’s commanding lead in early nomination contests, specifically in Iowa and New Hampshire.
List of Participants in Wednesday’s Debate:
- Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida
- Former Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey
- Governor Doug Burgum of North Dakota
- Ex-U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley
- Former Vice President Mike Pence
- Senator Tim Scott from South Carolina
- Vivek Ramaswamy
Impact of the First Debate on Race Dynamics
The initial debate in August seemed to maintain the status quo in the race, with the second debate showing few indications that any contender is on the cusp of mounting a significant challenge to Trump’s dominance.
Candidates’ Critique of Trump’s Absence
A notable topic among several participants was Trump’s choice to bypass the debate. This decision was perceived by many as a potential vulnerability in his campaign. DeSantis, trailing closely in most polls, labeled Trump as “missing in action”, while Christie accused him of evading public scrutiny, preferring the confines of his golf resorts.
Focus on President Biden and Rivalries Among Candidates
The majority of the debate’s discourse was concentrated on the current president, Joe Biden, and inter-candidate dynamics. One such rivalry that emerged was against the younger contender, Ramaswamy, whose slight surge in popularity made him a marked figure even during the first debate. Haley’s sharp retort about him was particularly memorable, expressing a decline in intelligence every time he spoke.
Highlight Reel from Wednesday’s Debate:
DeSantis Calls Out Trump for Absence at Debate
Discussion Shifts to Government Shutdown
Following inquiries about the UAW strike, the focus transitioned to the impending government shutdown. DeSantis seized his initial speaking opportunity to comment on Trump’s noticeable absence from the debate.
DeSantis on Trump’s Debate Absence
Highlighting Trump’s no-show, DeSantis commented, “Donald Trump is missing in action.” He asserted that Trump should have been present to defend his tenure, emphasizing Trump’s responsibility to the public.
DeSantis and Christie Criticize Trump’s Economic Legacy
Both DeSantis and Christie didn’t hold back when discussing the $7 trillion added to the national debt under Trump. Christie, echoing DeSantis’s sentiment, remarked, “Donald Trump, while enjoying the sanctuary of his golf clubs, evades the responsibility of addressing these concerns here.”
Christie’s Take on the Shutdown Blame
Expanding on the topic of the government shutdown, Christie spread the blame across the board, indicating a broader systemic issue. He emphasized, “The blame falls on every individual serving in Washington, D.C. Their primary duty is to serve, yet they’ve consistently disappointed.” He further noted that if a shutdown occurs, it reflects the collective failure of Washington’s representatives.
Christie claims Biden isn’t upholding immigration laws and also points out Trump’s shortcomings in the same area.
Christie’s Perspective on Immigration
Christie, New Jersey’s Former Republican Governor, on Legalizing Immigrants
Christie opines that the U.S. is not ready to legalize the millions of immigrants residing in the country without legal status.
Prioritizing Immigration Enforcement
Drawing on President Ronald Reagan’s decision in the 1980s to legalize numerous undocumented immigrants, Christie underscores the pressing necessity to reinforce immigration laws. He highlights the alarming increase in unauthorized border crossings in recent years.
A Critique of Biden’s Approach
Christie expresses dissatisfaction with President Joe Biden’s administration, accusing them of inaction in enforcing immigration laws. He highlights the ongoing violation of laws at the border.
Christie’s Proposal: Deploying the National Guard
In his plan, Christie proposes deploying the National Guard to the U.S. southern border if he is elected. He underscores the importance of welcoming individuals to fill vacant job positions but emphasizes the requirement to do so legally, promising to apprehend and return those who enter the country unlawfully.
The Necessity of Law and Order
Christie stresses that establishing a law and order agenda is vital not only for the present but also for the future, allowing the country to continue its operations effectively.
Trump’s Immigration Record in Question
Christie also critiques former President Donald Trump’s immigration record, asserting that he failed to fulfill his promise of constructing a border wall.
Trump’s Border Wall Shortfall
Christie highlights Trump’s shortfall in building the promised border wall, mentioning that only 52 miles were constructed, a figure that falls far short of the originally envisioned wall spanning the entire border. He comments on the expectation that Mexico would have financially contributed had they known the limited extent of the wall’s construction.
(Note: While Christie mentioned the construction of 52 miles of wall, it’s important to note that approximately 400 miles of new border wall structures were built between 2017 and 2021 during the Trump administration.)
Ramaswamy’s Business Ties and China: A Point of Contention for Candidates
Ramaswamy Targeted Again in Debate
In the recent debate, just like the first one, Ramaswamy, 38, found himself in the crosshairs of his fellow candidates. They specifically took jabs at his past business ventures.
Scott’s Take on Ramaswamy’s Comments
Scott brought up the last debate’s comments, recalling, “Last debate, he said we were all ‘bought and paid for’. Reflecting on that, I wondered how he could make such a claim, especially knowing his past business associations with the Chinese Communist Party. Moreover, the same individuals who funded Hunter Biden with millions were also his partners.”
Ramaswamy Defends His Business Decisions
Ramaswamy quickly responded to the allegations by labelling them as “nonsense”. He emphasized that unlike other businesses, he made the conscious decision to retract his company from the Chinese market. “You’re aware of my first company’s move to open a subsidiary in China,” he responded. “But unlike other companies, we chose to promptly exit that market.”
“Conveniently just before your presidential run,” Haley remarked.
Candidates Engage in Heated Debate on U.S. Backing for Ukraine
Differences on U.S. Support for Ukraine
In one of the evening’s most intense moments, candidates exchanged views on the U.S.’s continued support for Ukraine during Russia’s invasion. This issue has become a contentious topic in Washington, particularly as it relates to the potential government shutdown.
DeSantis Advocates for Peace
DeSantis voiced his belief that it’s crucial for the U.S. to focus on ending the war.
Scott Emphasizes National Interest
Scott underscored the importance of undermining the Russian military as it’s pivotal for America’s long-term national interest. He said, “If we aim to keep our troops safe at home, we must recognize that an assault on NATO territories could inevitably involve our forces.”
Ramaswamy Calls for Transparency
Ramaswamy took a direct approach, stressing the need to be straightforward with the American populace. He pointed out, “Just because Putin is malevolent doesn’t inherently make Ukraine virtuous.”
Haley and Ramaswamy’s Tensions Surface
Haley, known for her disagreements with Ramaswamy, swiftly countered. She declared, “A victory for Russia equates to a triumph for China.” Taking a dig at Ramaswamy, she added, “Oh right, you’re in favor of Russia.”
Pence’s Stance on Ukraine Aid
Pence, while advocating for sustained support for Ukraine, succinctly put forth his perspective: “Peace comes through strength.”
Christie Foresees Future Threats
Christie expressed concerns over the larger implications of conceding to Russia. He warned, “If we let them take a part of Ukraine, Poland could be their next target.”
Haley to Ramaswamy: “Listening to you diminishes my intellect a bit.”
Haley Criticizes Ramaswamy Over TikTok
During a spirited debate, Haley took a shot at Ramaswamy following a revelation that he had recently joined TikTok. This app has been a point of contention among Republicans, many of whom view it as a tool for Chinese espionage.
Varney Questions Ramaswamy’s Decision
Moderator Varney inquired, “After your dinner with popular boxer and influencer Jake Paul, you decided to join TikTok. Is it appropriate for a potential commander in chief to be swayed so easily by influencers?”
Ramaswamy’s Justification for Joining
Ramaswamy responded, “I possess what some might call a ‘radical idea’ for the Republican Party. Winning elections requires us to connect with younger Americans where they are most active.”
Haley’s Strong Response
Haley wasted no time in voicing her disagreement with Ramaswamy’s stance. She exclaimed, “Ramaswamy’s perspective is truly infuriating. TikTok stands as one of the riskiest social media platforms in existence.” Further expressing her exasperation, she added, “Listening to your viewpoints sometimes diminishes my intellect.” Her dissatisfaction with him culminated in her statement, “We can’t place our trust in you.”
Ramaswamy Calls for Respectful Debate
Seeking to elevate the level of discourse, Ramaswamy asserted, “The Republican Party would benefit more from engaging in substantial policy discussions rather than resorting to personal affronts.”
DeSantis Downplays Poll Results, While Christie Suggests Trump’s Exit from the Political Arena
“Vote Off the Island” Question Stirs Debate
Towards the end of the night, Dana Perino, the moderator, posed an interesting question to the candidates: If they were to vote one candidate “off the island,” who would it be? Perino highlighted that the abundance of candidates could potentially ease Trump’s path to the nomination.
DeSantis Rejects the Premise
DeSantis chose not to partake in this hypothetical exercise, stating it would be inconsiderate towards his colleagues. When pressed about his strategy in light of Trump’s dominant position in polls, DeSantis remained dismissive of poll results. “Presidents aren’t chosen by polls; they’re elected by voters,” he remarked. He further outlined his plan to approach voters state by state and added, “Reagan once mentioned it’s our moment to decide, and this is that time.”
Christie’s Candid Response
Unlike DeSantis, Christie eagerly addressed Perino’s original query. “If it were up to me, Donald Trump would be the one voted off immediately,” he declared. While praising the dedication of all present candidates, Christie emphasized his respect for each one of them. However, he didn’t mince words when discussing Trump, who opted out of the debate. Christie criticized Trump for causing deep divisions, both within the party and across the nation. “He has sown discord, even at family dinners and gatherings. It’s impossible to engage in civil conversations if someone disagrees with Trump. He should be removed from this race.”
Ramaswamy’s Perspective on America First
Ramaswamy, while not fully aligning with Christie’s stance on Trump, emphasized, “The ‘America first’ ideology isn’t tied to a single individual but is, in essence, the collective spirit of our nation’s citizens.”
Debate Wraps Up
With these remarks, the night’s debate came to a close.
