MILWAUKEE, WI (WTAQ-WRN) — Milwaukee hosted the first Republican presidential debate Wednesday night.
Eight candidates eyeing the GOP nomination for president in 2024 participated in the event, talking about topics ranging from the economy to China, abortion, and more.
But much of the focus of the candidates onstage at the Fiserv Forum seemed to be on businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, who was characterized as inexperienced and unaware of the job of the presidency.
“The last person in one of these debates who stood in the middle of the stage and said, ‘What’s a skinny guy with an odd last name doing up here?’ was Barack Obama, and I’m afraid we’re dealing with the same type of amateur standing on the stage tonight,” said former New Jersey governor Chris Christie.
Ramaswamy immediately responded to Christie’s comment, saying, “Give me a hug like you did to Obama, and you’ll help elect me just like you did to Obama. Give me that damn hug, brother.”
Ramaswamy also got some boos from the crowd but a lot of praise online when he stated that he was the only candidate on the stage that hasn’t been “bought and paid for by super PACs.”
Additionally, when asked about Wisconsin’s near-total abortion ban, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said that he would stand on the side of life.
“Look, I understand Wisconsin is going to do it differently than Texas. I understand Iowa and New Hampshire are going to do it differently, but I will support the cause of life as governor and as president,” said DeSantis.
Earlier this year, DeSantis signed a six-week abortion ban into law in Florida.
Former President Donald Trump chose not to participate in the debate, citing his popularity in the polls as one reason not to be there.
