Tim Scott was just asked about government spending. In a March poll by AP-NORC, 88 percent of Republicans said that the federal government is spending too much. However, in the same survey, a majority of Republicans thought the government was spending too little on some key areas, including border security (85 percent), law enforcement (67 percent), infrastructure (61 percent), Social Security (57 percent), military (57 percent) and education (52 percent).
-Analysis by FiveThirtyEight

I wrote about this earlier, but high consumer prices are probably the biggest way that Americans understand the economy. Biden's trying to make the case that overall the economy is on the upswing, and he has some data points to back him up. And there's not a lot the president can do about inflation. But voters have been sour on the economy since Biden took office. Fifty-three percent of Republican voters said getting prices under control was a top issue in a FiveThirtyEight/Washington Post/Ipsos poll released today.

— Analysis by Monica Potts of FiveThirtyEight

"Our country is in decline," DeSantis said in response to the first debate question, on the economy. "This decline is not inevitable. It's a choice. We need to send Joe Biden back to his basement and reverse American decline."

DeSantis also took a swipe at the president's son Hunter, criticizing Hunter for selling high-priced artwork while other people are struggling to afford groceries.

"It starts with understanding we must reverse Bidenomics so that middle-class families have a chance to succeed again," DeSantis said, referring to the name that the White House has used to popularize what they see as the president's successful platform.

I am here in Milwaukee in the spin room. If you think journalism is glamorous, let me disabuse you of that notion. The media is being housed in what is essentially a parking garage at the FiservForum and the bathrooms are outside porta-potties. By the way, it was a 100-degree day in Milwaukee, so just going to the bathroom is a bit of an experience. And yes, I would like some Wisconsin cheese with my whine. Anyway, I'll be quiet about the plight of the reporters, we are here to hear about the plight of Americans and what these candidates have to say about it. Let's begin!
–Analysis from Galen Druke of FiveThirtyEight

I think Geoffrey has this exactly right: It seemed a little like the candidates were playing pretend tonight by ignoring Trump. But they’re in a tough position, politically. Someone needs to go after Trump in order to open up space for another potential nominee, but going after Trump is also extremely unattractive to GOP voters. That combination keeps Trump in a strong position as the front-runner.

At this point, the question isn’t who will be the alternative to Trump, but whether Republicans will produce an alternative nominee to Trump at all. DeSantis needed to prove tonight that he could live up to the initial hype around him, that he was Republicans’ clear alternative to nominating Trump. But there didn’t seem to be a breakout moment for him. A handful of others — like Haley and Pence — had some strong moments, but we’ll have to wait for polling to see whether those actually resonated with voters. Otherwise, it’s more of the same – which is good news for Trump.

-Analysis by Leah Askarinam of FiveThirtyEight