That's a rehearsed line from DeSantis on oil drilling locations if I ever heard one.
-Jacob Rubashkin, 538

The issue of supplying aid to Ukraine as the country remains invaded by Russia has been a major source of contention among the Republican party, even holding up budget negotiations as Congress barrels toward a government shutdown.

A few answers from the GOP candidates at the debate displayed the variety of opinion among the primary field. Christie, who shares the belief of establishment Republicans, spoke about his unrelenting support for Ukraine aid.

“That was the darkest moment in world history when the Soviet Union fell. Listen, everybody, [Putin] wants to put the old band back together, and only America can stop it,” said Christie, who noted that American leadership on the conflict could display strength in other areas of foreign policy.

“Ukraine – that's a green light to China,” Christie said. “They're all connected, Stuart. They're all connected. The Chinese are paying for the Russian war in Ukraine, the Iranians who supply more sophisticated weapons, and so are the North Koreans now as well, with the encouragement of the Chinese.

Christie bashed some of his primary challengers for their opposing views: “the naivete on the stage from some of these folks is extraordinary.”

DeSantis, like the right flank of the party, said he would not embrace continually funding the “territorial dispute.”

“It's in our interest to end this war and that's what I will do as president. We are not going to have a blank check. We will not have US troops and we're going to make the Europeans do what they need to do… Meanwhile, our own country is being invaded.”

–ABC News’ Isabella Murray

Ramaswamy said the answer to the economy was to put people back to work, but the labor market is unusually strong, with low unemployment and cooling but steady job growth.
— Analysis by Monica Potts of 538

According to The New York Times, DeSantis has spoken the fourth-most of the seven candidates, behind Ramaswamy, Scott, and Christie. That's not the dominant performance that some of his supporters had hoped for, and it doesn't signal to viewers that he's the clear alternative to the absent Trump
-Jacob Rubashkin, 538 contributor

Tonight I’ll be keeping track of DeSantis, who, despite several campaign shakeups and a steady slide in both national polls and early state surveys remains the second-place contender in the GOP primary, and who will appear at center stage this evening. DeSantis didn’t have a breakout moment last debate, though he may have been hobbled by the embarrassment of his Super PAC publicly releasing his entire debate strategy just beforehand. This time around, he may need to make a larger splash to re-convince voters he’s the best (or only) alternative to Trump. The other candidates are now nipping at his feet — he’s not even polling second in New Hampshire and South Carolina anymore — and if he becomes just another member of the pack he could lose whatever luster he has left. He’s already (started taking shots at Haley)[], who had one of the better-reviewed first debate performances and who has seen some movement in the polls. With seven candidates on stage, he’ll have limited time to make his move. Will he finally go after Trump more forcefully, or does he feel enough pressure from below to focus on Haley and the others?

—Analysis by Jacob Rubashkin, 538 contributor