Pence just seemed to blame DeSantis for the Parkland shooter’s not getting the death sentence. There was nothing DeSantis could do about that jury, and he actually pushed legislation after it to make it easier to get death sentences in Florida.
Pence has called for an expedited death penalty for mass shooters on the campaign trail when voters have asked him about it.
Pence is a notorious question-dodger. Very good at sticking to talking points. A valiant attempt by the moderator to get her questions answered.
Trump’s campaign seemingly responds to Christie’s attacks on the debate stage with this photo of the former governor:
Ramaswamy inveighs against America’s “Swiss cheese of a southern border.” If that sounds familiar, it’s because Trump has used that exact same phrase to describe the southern border. Trump said in a 2016 debate: “Look at our borders. They’re like Swiss cheese.”
Talk about a forever war: a new drug war in Mexico
Meanwhile, Trump is fundraising off 'RINOs'
Trump just sent out a fundraising email about the debate, saying he’s being attacked by RINOs — Republicans In Name Only — in his absence.
"As you read this email, disloyal 'Republicans' (RINOs, as we like to call them) are dishonestly attacking yours truly in tonight’s GOP debate and are playing right into Crooked Joe’s hands," the email says. "But rather than wipe the floor tonight with a handful of RINOs while we’re leading in every poll, I’m spending my time on the one and only REAL mission: firing Crooked Joe and MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
NBC News is watching the debate with a group of conservative voters at a home in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Key nuggets from our group during the first break:
- They really can’t hear anything when more than one candidate is talking. It’s frustrating them, and they wish there was more structure.
- The Trump supporters here are still enjoying Christie’s answers.
- The group didn’t like that Scott didn’t let Ramaswamy respond to his charge about working with China and associates of Hunter Biden.
Republican operatives think the debate is bad and helps Trump
Feedback from Republican operatives not aligned with any campaign tonight: "Worst debate I’ve ever watched.”
Another: "Trump is winning tonight."
Ramaswamy has now emphasized multiple times that his points and policy proposals are not “Republican or Democrat."
Policing and reform could be a big moment for Scott — not just as the only Black man on the stage, but also as the main Republican who tried to negotiate a police reform package in the Senate.