OnPolitics: Guide to the next debate

The second Republican primary debate is approaching. Here's what GOP candidates need to do.

Advertisement Advertisement Read in browser Read in browser On Politics Thu Sep 21 2023 Marina Pitofsky | Associate Editor/Politics Hi OnPolitics readers! The crowded field of Republican presidential hopefuls is gearing up for another debate next week. No, Donald Trump won't be there. The debate, which is being held Wednesday at the Ronald Reagan presidential library in Simi Valley, California, is expected to feature Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence and other Republican rivals. But Trump, who is 40 points ahead in some state and national polls, is skipping the event, USA TODAY's David Jackson reports. USA TODAY has a look at what each challenger needs to do during the event, and how they're trying to defeat the current frontrunner: DeSantis: The Florida governor may hit Trump over his abortion stance and argue that the former president doesn't support the restrictions religious conservatives have rallied around. Haley: The former South Carolina governor needs to maintain the momentum from her well-reviewed performance in the first GOP debate, and she may echo her most-quoted line from the Milwaukee event: "We have to face the fact that Trump is the most disliked politician in America." Pence: The former vice president has touted his work as Trump's former running mate, but during the upcoming debate he'll likely try to cast himself as the true conservative when compared to Trump. Vivek Ramaswamy: The entrepreneur is trying to "out-Trump" Trump, with proposals that would give the president sweeping powers. Chris Christie: The former New Jersey governor will likely stick to a familiar playbook: being one of Trump's most vocal critics, especially over his four criminal cases. Read more here: This is what Donald Trump's Republican rivals need to do to win in California Stay in the know OnPolitics: Sign up for the OnPolitics newsletter Senate confirms two critical military officers despite Tuberville protest The Senate has now confirmed three critical military nominees, despite Sen. Tommy Tuberville's ongoing protest over Pentagon abortion policy. READ MORE Advertisement Biden to allow nearly 500,000 Venezuelan migrants to work legally By allowing 472,000 Venezuelan migrants to work legally, President Biden took a major step aiding asylum-seekers as border numbers are on the rise. READ MORE Can Zelenskyy convince Republicans to keep funding the Ukraine war? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Washington, where he hopes to convince Congress to fund his war effort as a government shutdown looms. READ MORE Trump supports government shutdown, adds pressure to House GOP fight With nine days to avoid a government shutdown, lawmakers remain engulfed in spending fights. Here are the new challenges they face. READ MORE Are freed Iranians in prisoner swap more of a threat than Biden says? In a deal to free five Americans being held in Iran, Joe Biden released five Iranians, some of whom experts say could be threats to national security. READ MORE Former Donald Trump aide Cassidy Hutchinson alleges Rudy Giuliani groped her Cassidy Hutchinson, a former Trump White House aide who testified before the Jan. 6 committee, has alleged she was groped by Rudy Giuliani. READ MORE Sign up for the news you want Exclusive newsletters are part of your subscription, don't miss out! We're always working to add benefits for subscribers like you. SEE ALL NEWSLETTERS ➔ SEE ALL NEWSLETTERS ➔ Advertisement Newsletters   |    eNewspaper   |   Crosswords Follow Us Problem viewing email? View in browser Unsubscribe  •  Manage Newsletters  •  Terms of Service  •  Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights  •   Privacy Notice  •  Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy  •  Feedback