5 Takeaways , From the First GOP Debate.<br />Candidates who participated in the first debate of the Republican presidential primary on Aug. 23 were Ron DeSantis, Doug Burgum, Chris Christie.<br />Nikki Haley, Asa Hutchinson, Mike Pence, Vivek Ramaswamy and Tim Scott. .<br />Noticeably absent Donald Trump released a pre-taped interview with Tucker Carlson at the same time of the debate, CBS News reports. .<br />Here are 5 takeaways from the debate:.<br />Nikki Haley criticizes Trump and GOP spending, The former South Carolina governor called out Trump <br />for the $8 trillion of national debt he added during his <br />term and lambasted DeSantis, Scott and Pence <br />for voting to further raise the national debt.<br />Pence attacks Ramaswamy, The former vice president addressed Ramaswamy's previous comment that a president can't do everything.<br />Ramaswamy responded by saying he wasn't sure he <br />"exactly understood" Pence's comment, which prompted Pence to insultingly say, "I'll go slower next time.".<br />Now is not the time for on-the-job training. We don't need to bring in a rookie. We don't need to bring in people without experience, Mike Pence, via statement.<br />Candidates remain divided on abortion, Scott and Pence supported the idea of a 15-week <br />abortion ban, while DeSantis and Burgum think it <br />should be left up to individual states.<br />Christie and Hutchinson were the only candidates who said they wouldn't support Trump if he's convicted of any of the charges against him.<br />Someone has got to stop normalizing this conduct. Whether or not you believe the criminal charges are right or wrong, the conduct is beneath the office of the <br />president of the United States, Chris Christie, via statement.<br />Ramaswamy and DeSantis would <br />not support additional Ukraine aid, Instead, both candidates believe more U.S. resources should be allocated to the U.S.-Mexico border.<br />Ramaswamy and DeSantis would <br />not support additional Ukraine aid, Instead, both candidates believe more U.S. resources should be allocated to the U.S.-Mexico border
