MILWAUKEE — Donald Trump’s presence hung over the Fiserv Arena Wednesday night like the 100-degree temps that enveloped the city during the day. You couldn’t shake him from the clashes about the economy, Ukraine and, of course, Jan. 6. A Trump-less debate allowed viewers a chance to see what the Republican Party would sound like without him in the mix. The divisions were more clear. And tension and battles between Mike Pence and Vivek Ramaswamy spoke to larger generational differences that the party faces. The night also shed some light on what Democrats can expect in 2024: Republicans focusing on the economy, migration and crime. There was an Illinois factor, too. The state and City of Chicago, both run by Democrats, will continue to be a GOP punching bag in 2024. We counted at least a handful of references Wednesday night. And none of them were glowing. Illinois was criticized for having a low credit rating — even below Chris Christie’s New Jersey. Sen. Tim Scott attacked Illinois, California and New York for allowing late-term abortions. Crime in Chicago came up a few times, including during a discussion about lockdowns during the pandemic. And Ramaswamy twice mentioned the South Side, saying instead of funding Ukraine, the government should help the Chicago neighborhood. Ramaswamy even described himself as “a skinny kid with a funny name.” Hey, that’s Barack Obama’s line! Christie would use the line to attack Ramaswamy on Obama-era policies.
this Gov. JB Pritzker responded to one of the attacks this way: “Pretty sure a vast majority of voters would be just fine if abortion policy was left up to Illinois,” he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. A few take-aways from Illinoisans seated in the arena: Sue Rezin, the Illinois state senator, liked Ron DeSantis’ “common-sense approach” to government, saying, “it demonstrates that he’s able to comprehend and tackle the important issues that are crushing hard-working families and threatening our national security.” Ashvin Lad, an entrepreneur, was “surprised at how little” the other candidates went after DeSantis, instead focusing their attacks on Ramaswamy. (Us, too, Ashvin.) Pat Brady, the former Illinois GOP leader saw Nikki Haley as "the clear choice," adding, "Trump lite isn't going to carry the day." It was a reference to Ramaswamy and DeSantis. And Jim Durkin, the former Illinois House Republican leader: “Christie said what had to be said about Trump — calling him out for saying Putin is a genius and savvy for the invasion.” It prompted boos from the crowd, a reminder that Trump is still an integral part of the GOP, whether he’s on the stage or not. SIDE NOTE: Donald Trump Jr. watched the debate but wasn’t allowed to join the spin room. He spun to the press as he left the media center, saying, his father may not make the second debate, either. "Why would you?" the younger Trump said. His take on the winner: Ramaswamy. Who won, who lost, who fizzled, via POLITICO 3-minute video highlights, via POLITICO Deep divide over war in Ukraine, by POLITICO’s Gavin Bade Clash over national abortion ban, by POLITICO’s Alice Miranda Ollstein Trump counter programs the Republican debate — even though he doesn’t need to, by POLITICO’s Olivia Olander, Meredith McGraw and Alex Isenstadt SPOTTED Some Chicago Republicans gathered at the Billy Goat Inn on Madison Avenue in Chicago Wednesday night to watch the Republican presidential debate. They took a straw poll. The winner: Vivek Ramaswamy with 57.5 percent of the vote, followed by Ron DeSantis at 22.5 percent; Mike Pence at percent; Tim Scott, Nikki Haley, Doug Burgum and Chris Christie, all at 2.5 percent; and Asa Hutchinson, zip. Some of the notables in the room: Chicago Republican Chair and Ward Committeeman Steve Boulton (32nd), former mayoral candidate Bob Fioretti and Nicki Fioretti, ward committee leaders Brian Kasal (43rd), Laura Kotelman (44th), Barry Bebart (39th), Steve Graves (19th), Wayland Johnson (9th), Chris Myers (28th), Evan Kasal (25th), Chicago Young Republicans President Lenny Sklaney, Surus LLC’s Barrett Davie and Chicago GOP Executive Director Jeff Fiedler.
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