When asked whether the Obama administration’s Affordable Care Act was “here to stay,” Pence started off by calling for a federal expedited death penalty for mass shooters. When pressed again by the moderator, he turned the question of the ACA into one about Trump, suggesting that questions about health care policy should be a decision by Congress and the executive branch, while Trump wants to “consolidate power in the executive branch.” Pence said he’d like to “revive federalism in America.”
— Analysis by Leah Askarinam of 538

In our pre-debate 538/Washington Post/Ipsos poll, 9 percent of likely Republican primary voters were looking at “improving health care” as one of up to three most important issues (among a list of 20) in deciding which candidate to vote for in the primaries.

—Analysis by Holly Fuong of 538

Using military force in Mexico has become one of DeSantis's signature planks. In the past few months he's talked about sending special forces to confront the cartels, and didn't rule out firing missiles into Mexico either. It's a heavy-handed proposal that just a few years ago probably would have been major news but these days is pretty par for the course for more and more GOP officeholders.
-Jacob Rubashkin, 538 contributor

A plurality (31 percent) of Republican voters in a NewsNation poll from July said that drugs and substance abuse was the overall root cause of crime in their community. Twenty-three percent said the breakdown of the family unit was to blame, followed by 17 percent who listed underfunding of law enforcement. Systemic racism was the least mentioned issue, with just 3 percent of Republicans saying that it was the overall root cause of their community’s crime.
—Analysis by 538

Hours before the seven Republicans who qualified for the second RNC debate would have taken the stage at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, a few hopefuls shared their pre-game time rituals.

Pence got a workout in, did some light preparation work, and spent time with his wife, former Second Lady Karen Pence, daughter Charlotte and granddaughter Etta, according to a campaign adviser.

Scott spent the day with family. He took time for prayer, some devotionals, and worked out at the gym. The tune on repeat in his headphones this week has been "Way Maker" by Leeland, according to a source familiar with the campaign.

Ramaswamy had breakfast, worked out and played with his two sons Karthik and Arjun until he worked out again later, according to spokesperson and senior advisor Tricia McLaughlin. The tech entrepreneur also toured the Reagan Library, where he told reporters that he was “feeling good” ahead of the debate.

Haley's team shared the former ambassador’s playlist that she listened to before the debate. They include: