8 moments that stood out from the second GOP 2024 presidential debate

https://www.npr.org/2023/09/27/ [login to see] /second-republican-debate-california
Candidates vying for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination met at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute in Simi Valley, Calif. Wednesday night for a second debate, and though former President Donald Trump was not present, he loomed large over the event.

Several candidates, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, said Trump — who currently has a sizable lead in the crowded field — should have been on stage defending his record. Trump has missed both Republican debates so far.

Seven candidates qualified to take the stage due to slightly stricter qualifying rules from the Republican National Committee: DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, Christie and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.