The Second GOP Debate

“Every time I hear you, I feel a little bit dumber,” Nikki Haley yelled at Vivek Ramaswamy, causing the room to erupt into yet another yelling match. As the moderators tried to regain control, more candidates jumped in, hoping to win the nation’s support by putting on a memorable performance for the night. The result, however, is an uncivilized and deafening debate that leaves little hope in uniting the growing political divide in the United States. 

On the night of Wednesday, Sept. 27, the Republican candidates for the 2024 Presidential Election faced off in a heated debate. Doug Burgam, Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Mike Pence, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Tim Scott debated at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California. To qualify, candidates had to pass multiple thresholds set by the GOP, including at least 500,000 donors, with 200 in 20 states or more.

The clear winner of the debate was Nikki Haley, former governor of South Carolina and United Nations ambassador. She kept her strong position from the first debate, while continuing to get her message across. Haley relies on her experience in the foreign service, using that to advance her support for Ukraine. She got into arguments, but was able to debate her way out. Being the only woman on the stage, Haley did not hesitate to speak her opinion and get her views heard. Her numbers continue to rise in the polls, recently polling higher than DeSantis. 

Coming in close in second was Scott, a senator from South Carolina. He reasserted his position in the race after Wednesday night. He got his message across, which was important especially after his dull performance in the first debate. He was able to get his policy across while also attacking his fellow candidates. Towards the end of the debate, he criticized Haley for her increase of a gas tax during her tenure as governor (New York Times). Although Haley combated it well, it kept Scott on the minds of viewers from the start to the finish. His policy mostly revolves around religion, reaching certain Republicans. 

Many candidates had mediocre performances, including Pence, Burgum, Christie, and Ramaswamy. Pence, the Former Vice President of the United States during the Trump administration, is struggling to break out of Trump’s shadow. The debate mostly consisted of him defending the work he accomplished during the Trump administration. Although he did not say anything memorable during the debate, he is essential in at least trying to get voters to rethink their allegiance to Trump. 

It is surprising Burgum, the governor of North Dakota, made it this far. Burgum polls at 1.0%, the lowest out of the candidates. He was able to get his message across slightly more than the first debate, but was mostly lost in the shouting of the other, more popular, candidates.

Christie, the former Governor of New Jersey, is running his campaign in spite of Trump. Throughout the debate he took several jabs at Trump, yet failed to get his policies across. His poor performacne is reflected in the polls. 

Ramaswamy, a young entrepreneur, had a disappointing performance. He spoke a lot, but got attacked more, especially on the history of his company in China. Scott attacked him for “being in business with the Communist Chinese Party.” 

“I’m glad Vivek got pulled out of his business deal in 2018 in China. That must have been about the time he decided to start voting in presidential elections,” (CNN) Pence said, continuing his criticism of Ramaswamy’s age and lack of experience. 

More emphatically, the loser of the debate was the governor of Florida, DeSantis. In the first debate, he was able to pull himself out of Trump’s shadow, creating his own identity in the race for president. DeSantis, however, let others get the last word too many times during the second debate and failed to say anything that had a lasting impression. His once-thriving campaign is losing momentum. 

Noticeably absent was former President Donald Trump, who has decided to skip both of the GOP debates so far. Besides Christie memorably calling him “Donald Duck,” and DeSantis saying he is “missing in action,” the candidates did not focus on Trump. For him, skipping the debate saves him from having to defend his policies and past actions. 

Although absent, Trump still is the frontrunner in the race, leaving little hope that one of the other candidates could take his spot. He polls at about 55%, leading the race nationally, as well as in most states for the primaries. Trump has been able to manipulate a group of Republicans to support him, especially since his supporters–in deep allegiance–fail to pay attention to any of the other Republican candidates besides himself. 

Debates allow voters to see candidates unpolished and in action. As non-voters (and soon-to-be-voters), it is important for students to observe the political culture in the United States. Knowing your own values, listening to different viewpoints and being informed of the current issues that are provoking the major divides is crucial when developing an opinion. The Reagan Library serves as a reminder of a time when the GOP had prioritized reaching the common ground with their Democratic counterparts to produce policies that benefited the American people. Now, voters are left with a highly polarized national political landscape and a fraught Republican Party without a clear leader. Electing a new, moderate candidate could lead the party into a new direction and help support more bipartisan legislation, starting a new chapter that may shape not only the Republican Party but the United States Congress for generations to come.  

Republican candidates Mike Pence, Ron DeSantis, and Vivek Ramaswamy debating onstage at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California. Courtesy of U.S. News & World Report

By  LILY  RAMPE ‘26