Seven Republican presidential candidates stood inside a library named after a former president revered in the party and argued policies related to immigration, economy, health care costs and education, among other issues.
They also just argued at times when they weren’t taking shots at the GOP frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, who skipped the debate, and President Joe Biden.
The second GOP presidential primary debate was held on a muggy Wednesday evening at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, a sprawling complex that has hosted numerous presidential debates, influential Republicans and world leaders.
For two hours, with Reagan’s Air Force One hanging above them, candidates debated parental rights in education, protections for farmers and ranchers and the opioid epidemic.
Not on the stage was Trump, the Republican frontrunner who has skipped the debates as he appears set to focus on the general election, rather than the primary. On Wednesday, Trump was in Michigan where he spoke to nonunion auto workers amid the ongoing United Auto Workers strike, a day after Biden visited UAW members to show support for their strike.
“But why are they there? It’s because of all that spending (Biden’s) pushed through,” said former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, saying the federal government should focus on economic policies that would cut gas taxes but make small business tax cuts permanent.
“Joe Biden is missing in action from leadership. Donald Trump is also missing in action. He should be on this stage tonight,” said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis of his former ally turned nemesis in the campaign.
Both DeSantis and Trump are scheduled to speak Friday at the California GOP convention in Anaheim – as is debate participant Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy is scheduled to appear there Saturday.
Earlier this month, about 13,000 U.S. auto workers stopped making vehicles and went on strike after their…
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