Here are 6 key takeaways from the second Republican debate of 2023:
Trump's absence was a major talking point. All seven candidates on stage criticized Trump for not participating in the debate. Some, like Ron DeSantis, called him out directly, while others, like Nikki Haley, criticized his policies. The candidates' attacks on Trump suggest that they are eager to distance themselves from the former president, who is still the most popular figure in the Republican Party.
The candidates clashed on a range of issues, including abortion, immigration, and the economy. On abortion, most of the candidates supported a nationwide ban on the procedure, with the exception of Vivek Ramaswamy, who said that he would support a ban on late-term abortions. On immigration, all of the candidates called for increased border security and restrictions on legal immigration. On the economy, the candidates criticized President Biden's handling of the economy and proposed a variety of policies to address inflation and other economic challenges.
The debate was relatively tame, with few major gaffes or personal attacks. The candidates seemed to be careful to avoid saying anything that could damage their chances of winning the nomination. However, there were a few moments of tension, such as when DeSantis and Chris Christie clashed over Trump and when Ramaswamy and Tim Scott clashed over immigration.
No clear frontrunner emerged from the debate. All of the candidates performed well overall, and there was no clear consensus on who won the debate. This suggests that the Republican primary is still wide open and that any of the candidates could win the nomination.
