![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/republican-debate-candidates-brawl-in-showdown-without-trump/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/130885879_rebdate4655.jpg&description=Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Mike Pence, Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy mid-debate The first Republican 2024 presidential debate has seen passionate clashes between eight rivals vying to displace the absent frontrunner Donald Trump. The contenders brawled on stage in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, over the economy, Ukraine and their record. While most were reluctant to attack Mr Trump, some of the hopefuls did condemn the no-show ex-president. The eventual winner will challenge the Democratic candidate, probably President Joe Biden, in November 2024. On stage in the Fox News primetime showdown on Wednesday night were Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former Vice-President Mike Pence, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum. Mr DeSantis - who is struggling to hold on to a distant second place as the early promise of his campaign stutters - vowed to "send Biden back to his basement" more than once. But although he occupied centre stage, the Florida governor struggled for the spotlight at times against rising star Vivek Ramaswamy, a billionaire political newcomer. "Do you want incremental reform?" the 38-year-old said. "Or do you want revolution?" Mr Ramaswamy said of his rivals: "Do you want a super PAC puppet or patriot who speaks the truth?" Mr Pence targeted Mr Ramaswamy's lack of experience, declaring: "Now is not the time for on-the-job training. We don't need to bring in a rookie." Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Nikki Haley and Tim Scott on stage Mr Christie also derided Mr Ramaswamy as an "amateur", and said he sounded like a chatbot. As the candidates squabbled at one point, Ms Haley - the only woman on stage - cut in: "This is exactly why Margaret Thatcher said, 'If you want something said, ask a man, if you want something done, ask a woman.'" She later barrack){kind=link}
The first Republican 2024 presidential debate has seen passionate clashes between eight rivals vying to displace the absent frontrunner Donald Trump.
The contenders brawled on stage in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, over the economy, Ukraine and their record.
While most were reluctant to attack Mr Trump, some of the hopefuls did condemn the no-show ex-president.
The eventual winner will challenge the Democratic candidate, probably President Joe Biden, in November 2024.
On stage in the Fox News primetime showdown on Wednesday night were Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former Vice-President Mike Pence, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.