But the cameras caught Ron DeSantis as he looked around at his rivals before raising his hand.
Heres the bottom line: Someone has got to stop normalizing this conduct.
His remarks drew some cheers and boos.
The 2024 Republican presidential primary debate on Wednesday in Milwaukee, WIWin McNamee/Getty Images
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This is the great thing about this country.
Booing is allowed, but it doesnt change the truth, he said.
Over a year ago, I said that Donald Trump was morally disqualified from being president again.
Other contenders took the opportunity to attack the justice system.
He asked me to put him over the Constitution, Pence said.
And I chose the Constitution, and I always will.
The debates sole focus so far on Trumps criminal indictments ended with a standout moment for Pence.
Raise your hand if you do.
None did, and Vivek Ramaswamy said, The climate change agenda is a hoax.
That drew boos from the audience.
Ron DeSantis, meanwhile, took the opportunity to attack the media.
Instead, Vivek Ramaswamy, the political newcomer who has been rising in the polls, became the target.
Now is not the time for on-the-job training, said former Vice President Mike Pence.
That set off former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie joined in the criticism.
Ive had enough already tonight of a guy who sounds like ChatGPT standing up here, Christie said.
He compared Ramaswamy to Barack Obama, i.e.
another skinny guy with an unusual name.
I feel like we are dealing with the same jot down of amateur standing on stage tonight.
Then Pence interjected, Is that one of yours?
There were few references to Trumps absence.
As he did during the 2016 primary, Trump has attacked the internet for its coverage.
He wrote, I AM LEADING BIDEN IN ALMOST ALL POLLS!
LEADING REPUBLICANS BY 50 POINTS.
FOX NEWS REFUSES TO POST OR DISCUSS.
BRIT HUME, WORKING WITH RINO BRET BAIER, IS DELUSIONAL!!!
With Trumps absence, Fox News host Sean Hannity said that it would instead give other candidates an opportunity.
Candidates also needed to sign a pledge vowing to support the eventual nominee.
Candidates who didnt make the stage tried to make their presence known in other ways.
Rep, Will Hurd (R-TX) appeared on CNN earlier in the day.
