Christie calls Trump ‘Donald Duck,’ DeSantis knocks former president and other debate takeaways

By MICHELLE L. PRICE and NICHOLAS RICCARDI
Associated Press

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ aggressive start in the second Republican presidential debate was among its key takeaways. DeSantis used his first answer to criticize ex-President Donald Trump for skipping the debate Wednesday at the Reagan Library in California. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said if Trump keeps ducking out of debates he’ll deserve the nickname “Donald Duck.” The debate highlighted the way the GOP has drifted from some of Reagan’s core values. Christie distanced himself from the 40th president’s call for “amnesty” for people in the United States illegally. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott sought to more forcefully assert himself Wednesday after delivering a somewhat underwhelming performance during the first debate.