Takeaways from the second Republican presidential debate
The second Republican presidential debate showcased former President Donald Trump as the dominant front-runner, despite his absence from the stage.
His rivals took shots at him, but he largely escaped serious scrutiny of his four years in office.
Trump's safe approach of skipping the debates and running as an incumbent seems to be paying off.
The debate was marred by interruptions, crosstalk, and squabbles over speaking time.
This made it difficult for viewers to make sense of the candidates' positions.
The moderators struggled to maintain control of the room, leading to a messy and chaotic atmosphere.
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott engaged in a heated exchange with former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley.
They sparred over curtains and traded accusations, showcasing a deep feud between the two South Carolina natives.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis delivered an uneven performance, failing to respond to accusations from his Republican competitors.
He struggled to defend himself on issues such as Florida's Black history curriculum and blocking fracking.
However, he ended the debate on a strong note, rejecting the moderators' attempts to vote off a competitor and pointing out that polls don't elect presidents.
The debate touched on immigration and Latino voters, with questions about reaching out to those who feel the Republican Party is hostile or indifferent.
Former Vice President Mike Pence highlighted the tax cut and low unemployment rates for Hispanic Americans during the Trump administration.
Senator Tim Scott emphasized the importance of leading by example and highlighted his Hispanic female chief of staff.
Overall, the debate did little to change the trajectory of the GOP race, with Trump remaining dominant in national and early-state polling.
The messy and chaotic nature of the debate may have led many viewers to tune out entirely.
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