If the debate is moving fast — or slowly — for you, we've hit the halfway mark.
No mention of abortion yet — that is the one issue where there is actually some daylight between these candidates’ positions.
Several candidates have been signaling they are going to blast Trump for not committing to a federal ban and for criticizing the DeSantis six-week ban.
Scott, in both debates now, has been unable to chime in on the police reform conversation, even though his work on the issue in Congress is a core component of his campaign.
Sahil Kapur points out: This debate shows how Republicans are stuck in neutral on health care policy, speaking in abstractions.
Mike Pence talked about transferring power to the states; Ron DeSantis called for “more power for people and the doctor-patient relationship.” Since the failed attempt to repeal Obamacare in 2017, which backfired politically, the GOP has largely steered clear of this issue.
Ben Kamisar adds: Sahil makes a good point on the GOP being stuck in neutral and “speaking in abstractions” on health care.
That’s why, to me, Haley’s answer on health care stands out after a few ducks and dodges by other candidates. She’s pretty straightforward here and lays out specific policy ideas — wonder if that will resonate with voters.
DeSantis took a question about Florida’s imploding property insurance market and made it about government entitlement programs. The state become Florida’s biggest insurer as private insurance companies continue to flee and people can't get coverage.
A lengthy debate about health care … it’s feeling like the 2020 Democratic primaries again.
NBC News is watching the debate at New England College with eight college students who vote in New Hampshire.
During the commercial break, students shared their first impressions of the debate.
“I think that it’s clear that there is a common enemy in this debate, which is Vivek Ramaswamy, and kudos to them for coming out and doing that, but they are not giving him adequate time to respond to that with good rebuttals,” said Brendan Bunnell, 22, a student at the University of New Hampshire.
"I’m not surprised by what Vivek is doing," said Jack Coleman, 20, a Dartmouth student. "I think he’s coming out with some bold statements that track media sound bites but lack of realistic chances of passing."
Julia Matte, 21, a student at Saint Anselm College, said, “Like I predicted, there’s a lot of bickering going on and not a lot of clear conversation.”
“Obamacare”: [Obi Wan Kenobi voice: ‘Now that’s a name I have not heard in a long time.’]
Tough to have a debate when the candidates are 97.5% in agreement with one another on virtually every issue discussed.
An observation on Haley’s taking a little dig (from what it sounded like) a minute ago at Ramaswamy regarding TikTok — they’re only 12 or 13 years apart, so I wouldn’t call it a “generational” difference, but it definitely speaks to how Ramaswamy, on the younger end of the spectrum, understands TikTok’s power with young people despite the China concerns.