Republican debate highlights and analysis: Candidates squabble in Simi Valley
2024 hopefuls argued over education, spending and border security.
By538 and ABC News
Last Updated: September 27, 2023, 9:42 PM EDT
The second Republican debate of the 2024 presidential primary, taking place at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, has just come to an end.
The affair was more raucous than the first debate, which took place over a month ago. Candidates interrupted one another much more regularly and several — most notably former Vice President Mike Pence and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie — have directly criticized front-runner Donald Trump, who elected not to show up tonight. The two candidates from South Carolina, former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley and Sen. Tim Scott, went after one another for their records on spending, and seemingly everyone who had the chance to take a shot at entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy did so.
Read below for highlights, excerpts and key moments.
Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Sep 27, 2023, 9:42 PM EDT
For reference, Nathaniel, after last month's debate, 44 percent of Republican debate watchers felt that the moderators did an excellent or very good job. 39 percent said the moderators did about average, and 14 percent said they did poor or terrible.
—Analysis by Holly Fuong of 538
Sep 27, 2023, 9:42 PM EDT
DeSantis, Christie blame both Biden and Trump for increased spending in Washington, say he should be on the debate stage
When debate moderators asked the 2024 GOP candidates about the impending government shutdown, some – including Trump’s closest opponent DeSantis – pivoted to blame the former president and current President Biden for the logjam.
Both men also called out Trump for his absence on stage, noting that he should be answering for himself as the shutdown looms.
"People in Washington are shutting down the American dream with their reckless behavior,” DeSantis said.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis waves at the start of the second Republican candidates' debate of the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., Sept. 27, 2023.
Mike Blake/Reuters
“And you know who else is missing an action? Donald Trump is missing an action. He should be on this stage tonight. He owes it to you to defend his record where they added 7.8 trillion to the debt that set the stage for the inflation that we have.”
Chris Christie – one of Trump’s staunchest critics – also admonished the former president.
“If the government shuts down, should voters blame populace Republicans? Very simply everybody who's in Washington, D.C.,” said Christie.
“And let's be honest about this with the voters. You know, during the Trump administration, they added $7 trillion — $7 trillion in national debt. And now the Biden administration has put another 5 trillion on and counting.”
“Donald Trump– he hides behind the walls of his golf clubs, and won't show up here to answer questions like all the rest of us are up here. He puts 7 trillion on the debt. He should be in this room to answer those questions for the people you talk about who are suffering,” Christie said.
–ABC News’ Isabella Murray
Sep 27, 2023, 9:32 PM EDT
Scott goes after Ramaswamy
Scott, one of many candidates jockeying with Ramaswamy for third place nationally, pointedly asks Ramaswamy about his business dealings in China. This follows the first debate when both Pence and Christie attacked Ramaswamy too. It doesn’t seem like the other candidates like him very much …
—Analysis from Nathaniel Rakich of 538
Sep 27, 2023, 9:33 PM EDT
DeSantis tries to cut through interruptions
DeSantis is trying a bit there to be the adult in the room, which was effective for him last debate when he derailed a question about climate change, but isn't as effective this time around.