Key moments from Milwaukee's GOP debate
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee kicked off the 2024 political season Wednesday night as Republicans candidates dueled it out on the debate stage.
There were some testy exchanges between some of the candidates over their qualifications, stances on issues and Wisconsin came up too.
Ramaswamy Sparred the Most
Some of the eight candidates were aggressive on issues, but most notably was businessman and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy who defended attacks from his opponents over his lack of political experience.
"I'm the only person on the stage who isn't bought and paid for, so I can say this…The climate change agenda is a hoax, and we have to declare independence from them," Ramaswamy said.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie had a quick rebuttal.
“I have had enough already tonight of a guy that sounds like ChatGPT standing up here,” Christie said, comparing Ramaswamy to former President Barack Obama, whom he described as the “same kind of amateur.”
The 38-year-old is still behind Trump in the polls but has crept up recently to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Former Vice President Mike Pence also took a jab at Ramaswamy.
"Joe Biden has weakened this country at home and abroad. Now is not the time for on-the-job training,” Pence said. “We don’t need to bring in a rookie.”
After the debate, Ramaswamy touted his performance on stage and welcomed the friendly competition.
"I think any attack is fair…If you want someone experienced who has actually been part of the system that gave us all the problems that we are suffering from today go with the guy that crashed your car 20 times," he said.
Abortion Splits Candidates
As Republicans continue to grapple with the issue of abortion in the post-Roe world, candidates did not shy away from their strong opposition to abortion.
Former Governor of South Carolina Nikki Haley, the only female candidate in the race, called out her rivals and asked them to be more honest about their views on the federal abortion ban. She argued it wouldn't ever get passed but didn't say she opposed it.
“We need to stop demonizing this issue,” Haley said. “We aren’t going to put a woman in jail ... if she has an abortion.”
DeSantis mentioned Wisconsin when comparing how states have different laws on the books, but he dodged a question whether he would support a federal ban and instead said, "I'm going to stand on the side of life."
"Look, I understand Wisconsin is going to do it differently than Texas. I understand Iowa and New Hampshire going to do it different, but I will support the cause of life as governor and as president."
DeSantis signed a six-week abortion ban into law earlier this year.
Milwaukee's Crime
Fox News moderators mentioned a string of shootings in Milwaukee when asking the candidates how they would resolve rising crime rates. Last week, 15 people we're shot in Milwaukee.
Christie took the opportunity to fume at the Department of Justice for offering Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden's son, a pretrial diversion program on a felony gun charge.
That charge has a 10-year maximum prison sentence, but he's likely to face a much lighter sentence. Christine suggested it's an example of why the criminal justice system is failing.
"The problem is not going to be solved by more money, the problem is that these prosecutors in these localities in the state are refusing to do their job to arrest violent criminals," Christie said.
Trump Was Still a Central Figure
All candidates were asked whether they would support Trump if he's nominee, even if convicted. Everyone on stage raised their hand besides former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a critic of the former president.
Ramaswamy defended Trump and his legal troubles by saying he's “the best president of the 21st century."
On Thursday, Trump is expected to surrender to the Fulton County, Georgia, jail after he and 18 others were charged in the plot to overturn Joe Biden's victory in 2020.