Elections

Second Republican Primary Debate: Live Updates

From left: North Dakota governor Doug Burgum, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Senator Tim Scott (R., S.C.), and former vice president Mike Pence attend the second Republican presidential primary debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., September 27, 2023. (Pedro Ugarte/AFP via Getty Images)
The 2024 Republican presidential candidates meet Wednesday night for their second debate, this time in Simi Valley, Calif., hosted by Fox Business Network. Front-runner Donald Trump, once more, is not attending. A total of seven candidates are: Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Mike Pence, Tim Scott, Chris Christie, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Doug Burgum. Follow along for live updates and analysis from the NR team:
Kathryn Jean Lopez

This debate seems such a waste on so many levels.

Dan McLaughlin

“Every time I hear you I feel a little bit dumber” – man, Haley hates Vivek.

Dan McLaughlin

Vivek: “I don’t know it all.” Man, his internals after the last debate must have looked like the last act of Hamlet.

Rich Lowry

Vivek internal polling from last debate must have been horrifying

Kathryn Jean Lopez

Does “CCP” resonate with people? Chi-Coms? Communist China? Don’t think CCP has been poll tested by the DeSantis campaign.

Jeffrey Blehar

Not like it matters at all (still my thesis, given that Trump glides above all), but I think Pence and Christie and Scott really have to think about folding up the tent. Doug Burgum can be that one weird guy on the stage, maybe. But like it or not the non-Trump field seems winnowed tonight to Haley, DeSantis, Ramaswamy.

Andrew McCarthy

Love Dana’s question because it’s about: Do you really believe in federalism, do you really believe that if the states are doing something you disagree with, you need to stay your hand because it’s not the feds’ business? The latter used to be GOP article of faith. No more …

Kathryn Jean Lopez

I miss Kate O’Beirne every day, and on debate nights. She always had the best commentary. Her most classic had to do with Republicans and the Mormon being the only one who has had one wife. (And still!)

Ramesh Ponnuru

The questions from Calderón are less distinctive from regular-media questions than should be the case at a Fox-hosted debate.

Michael Brendan Dougherty

Pence: “I will stand up for the civil liberties of every American that I’m not quick-executing for a mass shooting.”

NR Staff comprises members of the National Review editorial and operational teams.
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