Takeaways From the Second GOP Debate

In the process of narrowing down the field of candidates to determine the eventual nominee for a major party, primary debates play a crucial role. This winnowing process was continued at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, where seven Republicans were assembled, ready to engage in the competition.

In this debate, participation was limited to just seven candidates, down from eight in the previous month in Milwaukee, as former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson did not meet the qualification criteria this time. With fewer than four months remaining until the first nominating contest in Iowa on January 15, the upcoming months will be of utmost importance in determining whether anyone has a chance to challenge the front-runner, former President Donald Trump. Notably, this debate saw Trump opting to abstain, just as he did in the preceding one.

The absence of Trump resulted in a debate that, at times, was marked by disorder, as the conversation was hard to control with candidates talking over each other, and the three moderators found it challenging to restore order.

Governor Doug Burgum of North Dakota, positioned at the bottom of the current polls and the last to qualify for the debate, attempted to assert his presence by interjecting out of turn. He was seen jumping in to address a question about child care before being halted by moderator Dana Perino of Fox News.

The debate concluded with an unexpected moment of decorum when the question was posed by Perino, asking each candidate to be singled out by their peers: “Who should be voted off the island?” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed reluctance, stating, “I think that’s disrespectful to my fellow competitors.” This sentiment was visibly shared by former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Eventually, Christie conveyed his choice, stating that he would “vote Donald Trump off the island right now.” Christie emphasized that every individual on the stage had demonstrated respect for Republican voters by participating, while also suggesting that Trump had played a divisive role in the nation and among families.

• Haley gaining momentum

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who has been gaining ground, especially in New Hampshire, and surpassing DeSantis in some key polls, appeared on the stage with an assertive demeanor.

She engaged in heated exchanges with both DeSantis and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott on the topic of energy policy. A particularly intense discussion arose on the regulation of social media use by teenagers, with Haley delivering a memorable line directed at entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy: “Every time you are heard, I feel a little bit dumber.” Ramaswamy responded by expressing dissatisfaction with “personal attacks,” leading to another episode of animated exchanges between the moderators and the candidates.

In a move that indicated Trump’s perception of Haley as a potential threat, his campaign released a statement before the debate concluded in an attempt to undermine her credibility. The statement accused her of being weak on immigration and sought to draw a connection between her and former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, citing a 2012 New York Times article in which Haley mentioned being inspired, as a woman, to run for political office due to Clinton’s example.

• Trump’s absence was noticed and brought to people’s attention

Instead of participating in the debate, Trump held a rally in Michigan at a non-union auto parts manufacturing plant.

This visit appeared to be orchestrated to draw a contrast with President Biden’s decision to join autoworkers on a picket line in Detroit earlier in the week, a move criticized by some of the Republican hopefuls during the California debate. Senator Scott, for example, asserted, “Joe Biden should not have been on the picket line; he should have been working to close our Southern border.”

With Trump leading in the polls, his Republican rivals had little to lose, and some took direct aim at him, including DeSantis, who delivered an unusually pointed attack on Trump’s decision not to participate. DeSantis stated, “Donald Trump is missing in action,” and argued that he should have been on the stage that night. Christie accused Trump of avoiding the debate not due to his substantial lead in the polls, as Trump claimed, but out of fear of being held accountable for his record. Christie humorously remarked, “These things are being dodged by you, and let me tell you what’s going to happen. These dodges will lead to the point where you, up here, will no longer be called Donald Trump; you will be called Donald Duck.”

• Policies against China is where candidates find common ground

Throughout the debate, China assumed a prominent position in foreign policy discussions, encompassing its dominance in the energy and technology sectors, its role in the flow of fentanyl into the United States, efforts to manage Taiwan, and the rapport between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin amid Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

Haley advocated for the cessation of normal trade relations with China until the fentanyl supply is eradicated and stated that “a victory for Russia is a victory for China.” Christie touched on similar themes, warning of potential alliances between China and Russia and remarking, “If we concede any of Ukraine, Poland will be next.”

• Ronald Reagan and young voters’ familiarity of him

The debate was hosted at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, and it commenced with iconic images and speeches from the 40th president. Numerous questions referred to Reagan, who has acquired a near-mythical status among some within the party. Several candidates, including Senator Scott and former Vice President Mike Pence, have invoked Reagan’s name during their campaigns, aiming to distinguish the legacy of the party of Reagan from the party of Trump.

Nevertheless, more than 40 years have passed since Reagan’s tenure, and the extent to which his image resonates with younger voters who have little or no memory of him remains unclear. This challenge is particularly pertinent to a party grappling with the task of attracting young voters, a crucial demographic in the forthcoming general election.

• Joe Biden and the teachers union

One of the more unusual lines of discussion revolved around the humorous accusation of politicians “sleeping with teachers.” However, it should be noted that the teachers referred to were their wives, adding a touch of humor to the discourse. During a conversation concerning the influence of teachers unions, Christie criticized President Biden, remarking, “When the president of the United States is found to be associated with a member of the teachers union, it becomes improbable to break their stranglehold.” Notably, First Lady Jill Biden has a background in education, including teaching English at a community college in Virginia. Several minutes later, Pence followed with a jest, stating that he has been “sleeping with a teacher for 38 years.” He did clarify, however, that his wife, former Second Lady Karen Pence, is not a union educator.