The second 2024 Republican presidential debate: The candidates on stage are Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. 7 candidates qualified for the second debate. Here’s who missed the cut — Here’s how to watch tonight’s debate — Republicans face growing urgency to stop Trump ahead of debate — Trump is in Michigan to compete with Biden for union votes — Who’s running for president? See a rundown of the 2024 candidates.
The Associated Press has the story:
2nd GOP Debate: Candidates are going after Biden & Trump
Newslooks- SIMI VALLEY, California, (AP)
Pence reminds voters of his time as VP.
Pence is using his time onstage to remind viewers he’s a White House alumnus.
Twice asked a question about working to protect immigrants from deportation if they came with their parents as young children, Pence ignored it and emphasized his resume instead.
The former vice president recalled how during the Trump administration, he had negotiated the policy to make asylum seekers wait in Mexico for court hearings in the U.S.
“This is no time for on the job training,” Pence said. “I’m going to be ready on Day 1.”Scott accuses Ramaswamy of being in business with CCP
Scott briefly shed his Mr. Nice Guy reputation to flame Ramaswamy for being “in business with the Chinese Communist Party.”
The attack line, a reference to Ramaswamy’s former career as an entrepreneur, fulfilled a promise from Scott’s campaign that the South Carolina senator would be more aggressive after being overshadowed in the first debate.
Ramaswamy responded angrily, leading to a long stretch of crosstalk that the moderators struggled to rein in.
“When you all speak at the same time, no can understand you,” said Univision anchor Ilia Calderón.Some of DeSantis’ ideas for China match Biden’s actions
DeSantis says the United States needs a “totally new approach to China.”
Part of what he calls for Biden is already doing. That includes strengthening U.S. hard power in the Indo-Pacific. DeSantis does call for “decoupling” the U.S. economy from China.
Biden is trying to wean the U.S. supply chain off China but denies seeking to decouple the two economies.Burgum not waiting for his turn
Burgum is looking for more talking time — and he’s not being shy about it.
The North Dakota governor interjected a couple of times in the first 20 minutes of Wednesday night’s debate, talking over moderators and his fellow hopefuls, in one response interjecting, “Nobody answered the question” after others were asked about child care.
“We will get you some questions,” said moderator Dana Perino. “But you will have to let us move on.”
There have already been several moments where the moderators struggled to get candidates to stop talking among themselves and focus on the question at hand.Candidates agree US economic future should be powered by gas
GOP presidential candidates started their second debate by mostly agreeing that the U.S. economic future should be powered by gasoline.
In lockstep, they all demonized the Biden administration’s support for electric vehicles. It’s a shift that is meant to limit the damages of climate change, but presidential candidates say it would hurt the U.S. auto sector and enrich China. The unanimity reflected the challenge candidates face to stand out on policy issues.
“Joe Biden’s Green New Deal agenda is good for Beijing and bad for Detroit,” Pence said.
Burgum said unionized autoworkers are striking because their employers “need two-thirds less workers to build an electric car.”
Ramaswamy went to his refrain that he would “unlock American energy, drill, frack, burn coal, embrace nuclear energy.”DeSantis takes early swing at Trump in debate
After taking criticism for going soft on Trump, DeSantis took a swing at him early in the debate.
“And you know who is missing in action? Donald Trump is missing in action,” DeSantis said, blasting the former president for skipping the debate.
The criticism came shortly after a similar attack from Christie, who said Trump “hides behind the walls of his golf clubs” instead of answering questions.
DeSantis’ swipe at Trump marks a definite shift for the Florida governor, who largely avoided pointed criticism of the former president in the first debate.Scott angling to be more of the conversation
Scott didn’t have much talking time during the first GOP debate, but he started to make up for that as soon as Wednesday night’s gathering got underway.
The first question went to Scott, who caught criticism for saying “you strike, you’re fired” about the United Auto Workers dispute. Scott quipped that Biden “should not be on the picket line, he should be on the southern border,” turning the rest of his answer to concerns about border security.
Scott also was asked to respond after Pence said Biden “belongs on the unemployment line,” saying he disagreed with Scott.
“There’s no doubt that Joe Biden needs to be fired,” Scott said. “That’s why I’m running for president.”Republicans turn questions about autoworkers strike into Biden attack
The debate started with questions about the United Auto Workers strike, but the Republicans kept the focus squarely on Biden.
“Joe Biden should not be on the picket line. He should be on the southern border,” said Scott, who got the first question.
Next up was Ramaswamy, who said the workers should “go picket in front of the White House in Washington, D.C.,” because “that’s really where the protest needs to be.”
Pence took a swing at it next. “Joe Biden doesn’t belong on the picket line. He belongs on the unemployment line.”Trump’s mug shot appears in debate intro
Trump skipped the Fox Business-Univision debate but appeared briefly in its introduction – or at least his mug shot did.
The debate at the Reagan library started with a montage of the former president followed by clips of the seven candidates who are appearing on stage.
Trump’s mug shot — from one of the criminal cases against him, filed in Georgia — flashed on screen as a voiceover questioned: Would Reagan even recognize the country today?Trump calls his rivals ‘the job candidates’
As his rivals got ready to debate Wednesday night, Trump was railing against electric cars in a speech in Michigan.
Trump, speaking at a non-union manufacturing plant outside out of Detroit, briefly referenced the proceedings about to begin in California.
“We’re competing with the job candidates,” he said of his rivals. “They’re all job candidates, they want to be in the — they’ll do anything. Secretary of something. They even say VP, does anybody see any VP in the group? I don’t think so.”And we’re off!
The second Republican presidential debate is underway in California.
It’s being moderated by Fox Business Network host Stuart Varney and Fox News Channel host Dana Perino, as well as Univision anchor Ilia Calderón.
The event is airing on Fox News Channel and Fox Business, as well as on the network’s website and other streaming and digital platforms. There’s also a Spanish-language feed airing on Univision.Biden zeroed in on GOP candidate missing from debate
Seven candidates will be on stage for the second Republican primary debate, but Biden is keeping his focus on the one who isn’t there — Trump.
It’s a logical choice when the former president is the runaway favorite for his party’s 2024 nomination.
“Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans are determined to destroy this democracy,” Biden said Tuesday night at a California fundraiser.
Biden plans to deliver his fourth in a series of presidential addresses about the state of democracy during a visit to Arizona on Thursday.Reagan audience expected to be more subdued
Wednesday’s debate is likely to be a less raucous affair than the first GOP debate in Milwaukee — at least as far as the audience is concerned.
In August, candidates debated in the Fiserv Forum, home to the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team, before a live audience of thousands that was allowed to cheer and boo what was being said. (Christie was the target of some of the loudest booing, for his criticism of Trump).
Things got so lively that moderator Bret Baier had to ask the crowd to keep it down.
Tonight’s debate is at a far smaller venue. Air Force One Pavilion holds a maximum of 1,600 people, and a video posted online by the Reagan Foundation shows the seating area is even smaller. Those in attendance will be seated below the nose of Reagan’s retired Air Force One.Here’s what AP reporters are watching for tonight
The first debate was dominated by Ramaswamy, who swung at everyone else on stage and was targeted in return. Will he seek the spotlight in the same way?
Haley had a comparatively strong showing last time. Does she become a target?
The pressure remains on DeSantis, who has sunk substantially in polls from his high point earlier this year. Will he be more aggressive?
The biggest question is whether anyone on the stage will be playing to win. So far the campaign has been all about jostling for second place while Trump hogs the spotlight. Will any of the candidates target the front-runner, or will they keep hanging back and hoping for a political miracle?Taking their criticism to the skies
As Republicans take the stage, the Democratic National Committee is running counterprogramming around the debate site aiming to make its case that the GOP hopefuls are wrong for the White House.
DNC officials say they’re flying an aerial banner until the 9 p.m. start time above Ronald Reagan’s presidential library with the message “GOP 2024: A Race For The Extreme MAGA Base” — referring to a slogan used by Trump in his campaigns.
Party officials say there’s also a mobile billboard making a route around the debate site throughout the event. A video playing on a digital screen features a “2024 MAGA Cheat Sheet” on each of the hopefuls, with each Republican candidate’s photo and several bullet points on what the DNC calls their “extreme MAGA agendas,” like opposition to abortion and proposed changes to Social Security and Medicare.Debate livestreaming partner Rumble platforms extremism
Many viewers who can’t watch Wednesday’s debate on TV will tune in on Rumble, the Republican National Committee’s exclusive online livestreaming partner.
The alternative video sharing platform has gained popularity with some conservatives for its hands-off approach to content moderation. But it also has been criticized for allowing — and at times promoting — far-right extremism, bigotry, election disinformation and conspiracy theories.
Ahead of the first GOP debate last month, the live feed for the GOP’s official pre-show on Rumble was overridden with racial slurs and bigoted comments. The episode was then hidden from public view. The RNC said it was taken down to direct users to the debate livestream and avoid confusing viewers with multiple videos.
Asked about the criticism against the platform, the RNC said it condemns “hate, bigotry and violence” but does not manage content or pages outside of its own.Newsom dismisses the debate as ‘JV, XFL stuff’
California Gov. Gavin Newsom says Wednesday night’s Republican presidential debate without Trump is little more than entertainment for political junkies given Trump’s commanding lead in the Republican primary.
“This is a sideshow, by any objective measure,” Newsom told the Associated Press. “You’ve got a guy who’s the de facto incumbent.” Trump indeed leads all other GOP contenders by at least 30 points in most national polls.
The debate, Newsom said, is “JV, XFL stuff.”DeSantis will take literal center stage
DeSantis will be center stage again when candidates meet Wednesday for the second Republican presidential debate. He’ll be flanked by Ramaswamy and Haley.
The candidate placement on stage is based on candidate order in polls that meet standards set by the Republican National Committee, with higher performing candidates being closer to center stage.
Scott had hoped for a better position than the last debate and asked the RNC to change its rules so he would be closer to center. But the South Carolina senator is essentially in the same spot he was for last month’s debate. He will stand to Ramaswamy’s left.
The biggest loser in the reshuffling is Pence, who will stand at the far end of the stage. It’s a demotion for the former vice president, who stood next to DeSantis in August, and a sign of how he has struggled in the race.Supporters and protesters await Trump at Michigan venue
As his Republican rivals make final preparations for their second primary debate, the contest’s front-runner is on his way to Michigan to speak to current and retired autoworkers in the midst of a strike.
“Heading to Michigan now. I LOVE, & WILL SAVE, THE AUTOWORKERS. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump wrote on his social media site.
A smattering of protesters and supporters demonstrated outside the venue before Trump arrived. One group of supporters carried Trump flags and marched to the beat of marching band drums.
Anti-Trump protesters accused the former president of backing anti-union policies and chanted, “Racist! Go home!”Trump signs dot entrance to Reagan library
In case Trump wasn’t already top of mind for tonight’s debate participants, the former president’s supporters have set up huge Trump signs at the entrance to the Reagan library’s long driveway.
They include a bus-sized blue “TRUMP 2024” banner, several smaller red Trump “SAVE AMERICA” flags and a large white sign that reads “TRUMP, Our Last HOPE For AMERICA & THE WORLD.” They are positioned at the beginning of Simi Valley’s Presidential Drive, which is the only way in and out of the Reagan library.
As of 4:30 p.m. ET, none of the other campaigns had signs posted.AI Asa aims to take part in debate night conversation
He won’t be on the Simi Valley debate stage Wednesday night, but former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson — or an AI version of him, anyway — is looking to be part of the conversation.
Hutchinson’s campaign has rolled out askasa.us, where they say voters will be able to ask specific questions of the candidate. Hutchinson’s campaign says the interface has been programmed with his past public remarks, speeches and interviews to respond with his perspective on a variety of issues.
Hutchinson qualified for last month’s candidate debate debut but missed the markers set by the Republican National Committee for the matchup at Ronald Reagan’s presidential library.Biden raising campaign cash while GOP rivals debate
While Republicans prepare for tonight’s debate, the Democratic president that they’re hoping to replace will be raising money for his reelection campaign on the West Coast.
Joe Biden has a pair of fundraisers in San Francisco on Wednesday, a day after holding another one in Atherton.
“I’m optimistic that people in America know what’s at stake and they’re going to step up,” he told donors on Tuesday. Biden also said, “I’m looking forward to the race.”
Biden’s visit to California is the second stop on his trip. He first visited Michigan, where he joined striking auto workers on the picket line, and he plans to head to Arizona, where he’s scheduled to give a speech on democracy.Will immigration return to the debate stage?
The first Republican presidential debate devoted about 10 minutes to the U.S.-Mexico border, and the influx of asylum-seekers has only jumped since then.
Numbers are surging, with migrants now being housed at Chicago airports after police station lobbies filled with families in sleeping bags and nearly 6,000 migrants crossed the border in tiny Eagle Pass, Texas, in two days. Local officials from New York to San Diego sounded increasingly desperate cries for federal aid, as the Biden administration said it was making nearly 500,000 Venezuelans already in the United States eligible for temporary work permits.
Discussion of immigration in the first debate largely focused on building more border wall and, to varying degrees, supporting deployment of U.S. troops to Mexico to combat fentanyl trafficking.A broadcasting first for a Republican debate
Television executives say Wednesday will mark the first time a Republican primary debate is broadcast in Spanish, with Univision airing it along with Fox Business.
The Spanish-language network has called this “an opportunity for Hispanic voters to hear directly from the candidates on issues that are important to them.”
Univision was not chosen for the GOP primary debates in 2015 after Republican National Committee officials said there were questions about whether the network was treating the party fairly. Later that year, Trump kicked the network’s famous news anchor Jorge Ramos out of a news conference after a question about his immigration plan. In 2020, Trump’s reelection campaign called the network a “leftist propaganda machine and a mouth piece for the Democratic party.”
Trump notably will be missing from Wednesday night’s debate.Trump plans prime-time speech to union workers in lieu of debate
The former president is scheduled to deliver prime-time remarks to union members in Michigan shortly before the second debate begins without him in California.
He will be giving a speech at 8 p.m. Eastern at Drake Enterprises, a non-unionized auto parts supplier in Clinton Township. He’ll speak before a crowd of several hundred current and former United Auto Workers members, as well as members of plumbers and pipefitters unions.
His visit comes a day after President Joe Biden became the first sitting president in U.S. history to walk a picket line as he joined UAW members in Detroit. The union has expanded its strike against Detroit automakers by walking out of spare-parts warehouses in 20 states across the country.
Trump will be seeking to position himself as an ally of blue-collar workers by promising to raise wages and protect jobs if elected to a second term. But union leaders say Trump’s record tells a different story. They cite unfavorable rulings from the nation’s top labor board and the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as unfulfilled promises of automotive jobs.Reagan’s library is the setting for the second GOP presidential debate
When seven presidential hopefuls gather at Ronald Reagan’s presidential library for the second Republican debate, expect to hear homages to the “Great Communicator.”
The 40th president remains a hugely popular influence in today’s Republican Party, and the candidates for the 2024 nomination frequently reference him in their speeches.
Former Vice President Mike Pence most often cites Reagan, noting his own pride in advising the Trump administration’s Supreme Court nominees “that sent Roe. v. Wade to the ash heap of history where it belongs.”Hutchinson misses debate stage but vows to stay in race
Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson will miss Wednesday’s debate after failing to meet the criteria to participate. But he says he’s not going anywhere.
In a statement after the candidate field was released Monday night, Hutchinson said he measures his success by the voter response he gets in early voting states like Iowa and New Hampshire. He says his goal is to boost his polling numbers to 4% in one of those states before Thanksgiving.
“If that goal is met, then I remain competitive and in contention,” he wrote.
In lieu of the second debate, he is going to be in Detroit — the same city Trump is traveling to. He plans to hold a press conference to highlight what he says are the former president’s “false promises to blue collar and union workers in Michigan and across America.”
