Simi Valley, September 29 (RHC)-- Seven Republican presidential candidates squared off at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California Wednesday evening at the party’s second primary debate.  

But once again the race’s front-runner, Donald Trump, did not participate. The former president was criticized multiple times for skipping the debate. This is former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

Chris Christie said: “And I want to look at that camera right now and tell you: Donald, I know you’re watching. You can’t help yourself. I know you’re watching. OK? And you’re not here tonight, not because of polls and not because of your indictments; you’re not here tonight because you’re afraid of being on the stage and defending your record. You’re ducking these things. And let me tell you what’s going to happen: You keep doing that, no one up here is going to call you Donald Trump anymore; we’re going to call you Donald Duck.”

Instead of going to the debate, Trump headed to Detroit, Michigan, where he spoke at a nonunionized auto parts supplier.  Trump’s visit came a day after President Biden made history by joining striking autoworkers on the picket line.  

During a rally on Wednesday, Trump called for unions to support him in 2024.   The Donald pleaded: “Do me a favor, okay?  Just get your union guys, your leaders, to endorse me, okay?  And I’ll take care of the rest.

UAW President Shawn Fain refused to meet with Trump during his trip to Detroit.  Fain said: “I see no point in meeting with him because I don’t think the man has any bit of care about what our workers stand for, what the working class stands for.  He serves a billionaire class, and that’s what’s wrong with this country.”