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:
Rich Lowry

Looks like Vivek is trying to adjust from first debate by being less obnoxious (so far)

Kathryn Jean Lopez

We have to help families. Thank you, Dana Perino. Abortion doesn’t end in America until we truly help mothers and families. Policy. Civil society. Needs to be the priority for anyone who considers themselves pro-life.

Jim Geraghty

I like Tim Scott a lot, but I feel like he lapses into “Senate speak” and talking about past legislation he’s sponsored too much. Eh, at least he hasn’t brought up “Dingell Norwood.”

Dan McLaughlin

Let’s not sleep on Nikki Haley calling for (if I heard it correctly) abolishing the state and local tax exemption entirely.

Rich Lowry

Tim Scott getting a lot of time early on

Noah Rothman

Tonight, Ron DeSantis clearly planned to address his failure last month to take advantage of the gimmie that is represented by Donald Trump’s absence on the debate stage. It’s not clear if he’ll get credit for the act of modest bravery, though, since Chris Christie beat him to it. “He put $7 trillion on the debt, he should be in this room,” Christie said of the former president moments as the field erupted with efforts to second his observation.

Michael Brendan Dougherty

I don’t think DeSantis has to go at Trump. You just have to survive this non-Trump primary and then get a direct shot at him. But, it was a sign of life nonetheless.

Rich Lowry

DeSantis affect during every answer during debates so far has been forceful/angry

Ramesh Ponnuru

MBD, Democrats have talked up the Inflation Reduction Act as though it’s a kind of Green New Deal Lite, so I’ll allow it.

Dan McLaughlin

“You know who else is missing in action? Donald Trump should be on this stage tonight.” – DeSantis, finally allowed to speak, goes there too.

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