Haley draws fire in 4th GOP debate, Christie warns absent Trump is biggest issue

This was a feisty debate with a lot of one-on-one clashes, like between Christie and Ramaswamy. But I think it was also largely a continuation of what we’ve seen in previous debates. Haley stuck with the approach that has served her well so far. Ramaswamy was aggressive, perhaps to the point of being abrasive. Christie came out swinging against Trump and didn’t seem to care that it was unpopular. As a result, I’m expecting that this debate won’t change anything about the race. But we’ll see for sure on Thursday, when we get the results of our poll with The Washington Post and Ipsos, in which we’ll ask Republicans voters who won and lost.

-Analysis by Nathaniel Rakich of 538

With a small debate stage on Wednesday, there was much less crosstalk and arguing than in past faceoffs -- but that doesn't mean there was none.

Ramaswamy, who has described himself as the candidate who embraces a disruptive (even provocative) style on stage, got into his share of back-and-forths during the debate and ended up with the most approximate speaking time, according to ABC News' count.

DeSantis trailed very closely behind, and then Haley and Christie were close together in their amounts -- but with more than four minutes less, each, than Ramaswamy and DeSantis.

These totals include time when the candidates talked over one another.

-ABC News' Hajah Bah

Haley, in her closing statement, said America under the Biden administration was a country “in chaos.”

But -- “that’s what Donald Trump gives us,” she said. “My approach is different: no drama, no vendettas, no whining.”

The only candidate to serve in Trump’s White House, Haley has since sought to distance herself from the former president while praising his term in office.

-ABC News’ Chris Boccia

In closing remarks, Christie contended that Trump will be a felon by November 2024 given the four criminal cases against him. He has pleaded not guilty.

"I want you to all kind of picture in your mind Election Day. You'll all be heading to the polls to vote. And that is something Donald Trump will not be able to do, because he will be convicted of felonies before then and his right to vote will be taken away," Christie said.

The statement drew loud boos from the crowd -- a recurring theme for Christie's comments about Trump.

"You can boo about it all you like and continue to deny reality. But if we deny reality as a party, we're gonna have four more years of Joe Biden," Christie said.

-ABC News' Meredith Deliso