Some students thought Gov. Ron DeSantis excelled in remaining relevant and part of the discussion at the first Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee, WI on Aug. 23, while others said the Florida governor failed to connect with the audience.

Eight Republican presidential candidates battled it out on Aug. 23 in the first Republican presidential debate, absent primary front runner former President Donald Trump.

Last year, three of these candidates — businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, and DeSantis — visited campus.

Instead of debating his fellow candidates, Trump held a one-on-one interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson at the same time.

“I think if Trump keeps playing wild cards, then he’s out for good,” junior Emily Griffith said.

Others, such as junior Charlie Birt, said they believe Trump helped himself by avoiding the debate and that DeSantis, who attended the debate, presented himself as another strong option for voters.

“Trump and DeSantis did well to stay above the fray in the two-person race,” Birt said.

Junior Vivian Turnbull said the Florida governor did not present enough of a national case on specific questions.

“DeSantis struggled with seeming stiff and once again reverted to only talking about Florida when asked certain questions, particularly the abortion one,” Turnbull said.

When asked about his abortion policies, DeSantis said he would not allow late-term abortion.

“We’re better than what the Democrats are selling,” he said. “We are not going to allow abortion all the way up till birth, and we will hold them accountable for their extremism.”

Former South Carolina governor and Trump Administration U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, discussed the feasibility of an abortion ban.

“When it comes to a federal ban, let’s be honest with the American people and say it will take 60 Senate votes,” Haley said. “It will take a majority of the House. So in order to do that, let’s find consensus.”

“Let’s treat this like the respectful issue that it is and humanize the situation and stop demonizing the situation,” Haley continued.

Turnbull said she admired Haley’s honest response to the issue.

“I appreciated Haley’s answer to the abortion question when she reminded that a president alone cannot pass laws, and they frankly do not have the senate votes to pass a national ban,” Turnbull said. “It isn’t the answer candidates usually give, but in some ways, it is the most honest one. Presidential candidates tend to over promise and forget the fact that they have to get Congress on board to actually implement the changes.”

For freshman Josiah Jones, Haley and Ramaswamy won the night.

“When it comes to the candidates, I feel that Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy came out as the victors. Haley combated Ramaswamy’s foreign policy ideas with her experience as a diplomat, and definitely put her in consideration for my vote,” Jones said. “Ramaswamy did exactly what he wanted to do — get attention and get his name known. Kudos to him on that.”

Sophomore William Deaton said he thinks Ramaswamy knew what he needed to get done at the debate.

“Vivek had a grand time, apparently seizing every moment captive with his eyes on the prize,” Deaton said.

Birt and Griffith said Ramaswamy walked the Republican line, and Griffith questioned what else the businessman had to offer. 

“Vivek is saying all the right things maybe a little too perfectly,” Griffith said, “and it just seems like he’s saying everything Republicans want to hear, but what else is there?”

Birt agreed that Ramaswamy reiterated Republican talking points — he discussed gender-identity issues and focused heavily on the Constitution.

“Ramaswamy went above and beyond, in memorizing cliche Republican platitudes,” Birt said.

Noel did not appreciate the right-wing approach Ramaswamy took.

“Vivek Ramaswamy showcased all of the worst parts of today’s Republican party, from his blatant lies on climate change to his tirade against the ‘woke,’” Noel said. “Ramaswamy took up all of the oxygen in the room and placed himself further to the right of any candidate on the stage; even Gov. DeSantis, a former Freedom Caucus member, wasn’t spouting anywhere near as much right-wing propaganda and lies as Ramaswamy.”

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie pointed attacks at candidates like Ramaswamy, saying the newcomer sounded like ChatGPT.

“I was most appreciative of Chris Christie,” Deaton said. “Without Chris, the debate would have simply been a boring discussion, not a debate. He brought the antagonistic, name-calling that we all lovingly recall when thinking of President Trump.”

Jones said it is clear Christie was on the stage to refute Trump.

“Christie is obviously controlled Trump opposition,” Jones said.

Not every candidate had a star performance, according to Birt and Jones.

“Burgum, Hutchinson, Scott, and even DeSantis didn’t stand out to me,” Jones said. “Pence leaned a little too much on the Christian rhetoric, but definitely scored by getting everyone to admit that he had no authority to overturn the 2020 election.”

Birt said this is a two-man race between DeSantis and Trump. The other presidential hopefuls failed to impress him.

“Other candidates seemed ready to reach for draft cards, or had me reaching for my Rough Draft coffee to stay awake,” Birt said.