GOP candidates try something novel at the debate: Attacking Trump

The second Republican presidential debate Wednesday night may very well end up like the first: a feisty affair that ultimately has little bearing on the course of the race.

But unlike that first gathering, the candidates this time at least threw some early haymakers at the frontrunner, Donald Trump, who ditched the affair in favor of some counterprogramming in Michigan in an attempt to indicate the race was over.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie took his usual swipes, accusing Trump of spending liberally while in office and ducking scrutiny as a candidate. But Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took a jab too, calling Trump “missing in action.” Underscoring that this was, indeed, the plan of the night, DeSantis’ campaign quickly sent out a press release repeating that line.

But, as is often the case, the field had trouble keeping its eye on the prohibitive favorite. And within a few moments, they were back to squabbling among each other again, over issues like birthright citizenship and ties to China.

Below are some of the highlights of the debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, Calif. between DeSantis, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, Christie and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.

Christie's 'Donald Duck' Nickname Falls Flat

Christie is trying to give The Donald a run for his money in the nickname department.

In a direct-to-camera moment — in the middle of responding to a question about how he’d curb crime — Christie tried to turn the tables on the frontrunner not in the room.

“Donald, I know you’re watching. You can’t help yourself,” Christie said, his finger wagging. “You’re not here tonight — not because of polls and not because of your indictments. You’re not here tonight because you’re afraid of being on this stage and defending your record.

“You’re ducking these things,” Christie said, ramping up to a clearly pre-planned quip. “And let me tell you what’s going to happen: If you keep doing that, no one up here is going to call you Donald Trump anymore. They’re gonna call you Donald Duck.”

Ramaswamy still has his haters

After needling the rest of the field during the first debate, Ramaswamy tried to play nice Wednesday, praising everyone on the stage.

But time does not heal all wounds.

But Scott, unprompted, went after Ramaswamy — who had previously said other candidates were “bought and paid for” during the first showdown — saying Wednesday night that Ramaswamy was the one bought and paid for by China.

A few minutes later, Pence took another pop at the first-time candidate, saying Ramaswamy only started "voting in presidential elections" in 2018.

DeSantis finally slams Trump, Christie does it again

Trump may not have been in California on Wednesday evening, but both Christie and DeSantis took the opportunity presented by a question about who is to blame for the looming government shutdown to slam the GOP frontrunner.

Christie lumped Trump in with Biden, saying the Democratic president was hiding in a basement while Trump “hides behind the walls of his golf clubs.”

DeSantis, who was positioned on center stage as the highest polling candidate who showed up for the debate, made a more pointed attack, pointing to legislation passed under Trump’s presidency that added to the national debt as a cause of inflation.

“Donald Trump is missing in action,” the Florida governor said. “He should be on this stage tonight. He owes it to you to defend his record where they added $7.8 trillion to the debt that set the stage for the inflation that we have now.”

The UAW Strike Gets The Debate Treatment

The first question of the debate was about the hottest topic of the day: the striking auto workers.

Scott, who has been critical of unions, was asked first if he believed that they should be fired. He responded by noting that “the president can't fire private workers.” He then quickly pivoted to talking about migration.

"Joe Biden should not be on the picket line. He should be on the southern border, working to close our southern border," he said.

Ramaswamy expressed empathy for the workers but told them to “picket in front of the White House in Washington, D.C." Haley, for her part, blamed government spending for why the workers were striking.

The Split Screen Begins

Trump’s rally in Clinton Township, Mich., began well before the candidates were even introduced on stage. But even though he was speaking hundreds of miles away while they were backstage, his presence could be felt in Simi Valley.

As debate attendees and reporters gathered at the Reagan Library, Trump supporters on the main road leading to the library yelled into bullhorns and waved flags that read "He'll be back" and "Trump 2024." The Democratic National Committee was also bracketing the debate, with a plane flying overhead. A banner trailing behind it read: “GOP 2024: A race for the extreme MAGA base.”