by VICTORIA GEORGE and ANDERS GUSTAFSON
As the countdown for the 2024 presidential election winds down, so does the number of candidates still in the running for the nomination. The first two Republican debates introduced voters to each of the prospective nominees as each candidate attempts to prove why they are better candidates than everyone else. The third debate is scheduled for Nov. 8 in Miami.
All of the candidates who participated in the first debate Aug. 23 in Milwaukee, other than former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, was also at the second debate Wednesday night at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
Former President Donald Trump skipped both debates following several indictments and at least one trial set to begin in May, yet he is still the leading candidate for the Republican Party nomination. He faced more criticism from candidates this week than in the first debate, but he has still had a relatively unscathed campaign.
Throughout Wednesday night’s debate, the candidates were very vocal about their disagreements and regards for one another. Entrepreneur and early-campaign surprise Vivek Ramaswamy, a big actor in the previous debate, was found lacking by many. At one point, after Ramaswamy’s monologue about one of his TikToks, former South Carolina governor and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley said, “Every time I hear you, I feel a little bit dumber for what you say.” This was one of Haley’s many zingers throughout the night that led to viewers commenting on her strong and winning performance.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was more assertive in the second debate, attempting to prove why he has been the candidate closest to Trump in terms of winning the primary elections. He avoided controversial questions, though he spoke more this time.
Haley and DeSantis are the current favorites for the Republican nomination after Trump. Prior to the Simi Valley debate, a CNN poll found that Haley was the only GOP candidate projected to win over President Joe Biden.
At the first debate, FOX News hosted the eight eligible candidates hoping to represent the party during next year’s presidential election.
The candidate who held the floor most that night was former Vice President Mike Pence, who used much of his time to attack the other candidates. Pence’s involvement in events related to the election results and subsequent Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021, was repeatedly discussed. Every candidate sided with Pence’s decision not to acquiesce to Trump’s demands to overturn the results. Pence has aimed to present himself as the most experienced candidate, with a political career of more than 30 years. He has also attempted to act as an ambassador for the evangelical Christian community, aligning their interests with his talking points during the debate, including his suggestion for a national 15-week abortion ban.
South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott agreed with Pence on the topic, while most of the other candidates were more evasive. Haley, the only woman on stage, opposed the idea of a 15-week ban, while DeSantis promised to stay on “the side of life.”
Of the eight candidates, most of the spotlight was on Ramaswamy. He spoke the next-most of any candidate but accordingly faced the most backlash from other candidates. Ramaswamy defended Trump, saying, “Let’s just speak the truth. President Trump, I believe, was the best president of the 21st Century. It’s a fact.”
Ramaswamy’s campaign has been built upon running as the closest alternative if Trump is unable to continue his quest to return to the Oval Office due to the criminal proceedings.
Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, directly attacking Ramaswamy’s campaign said, “I’ve had enough already tonight of a guy who sounds like ChatGPT.”
Foreign policy was a hot topic of the debate, particularly in the discussion over whether the United States should provide additional international aid to Ukraine, including weaponry. Pence and Haley both said that America should continue to supply Ukraine.
Trump had a significant presence at the first debate despite not showing up. Despite DeSantis be-] ing provided with the opportunity to take control without the former president’s presence, he was quiet.
During his final statement of the night, DeSantis’ attempt to present a genuine smile resulted in an uncomfortable and awkward look. He tried to avoid more controversial topics at the debate, dodging questions about climate change while suggesting a debate about the topic instead.
Later in the night, the moderators asked the eight candidates if they would support Trump should he be convicted of criminal charges. DeSantis hesitated, only raising his hand after four others did first.
Christie had an unremarkable night, and his candidacy will likely not gain traction due to his vocal opposition of the former
president. He was one of the two candidates who did not promise unconditional support of Trump if he becomes the Republican nominee, saying that his nomination would lead to “four more years of Joe Biden.” Christie faced criticism for this stand from the other candidates and the audience.
“I thought Biden, honestly, was the big winner tonight,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom told the political website The Hill, following Wednesday night’s debate.
“They only identified problems,” said Newsom of the candidates.
“Joe Biden has not only identified solutions, he’s gotten them passed in a bipartisan way to address so many of the issues the Republicans brought up.”
The Mainsheet 