In Second Debate, Republicans Get Personal, and Serious About Policy

After a friendly round of introductions, the second Republican presidential debate quickly plunged into controlled chaos.

ICYMI: The GOP Debate in 3 Minutes

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By David Knowles and Michael C. Bender and Sahil Kapur and Arit John

September 16, 2015 at 10:09 PM UTC

Updated on

September 17, 2015 at 4:40 AM UTC

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There was one more candidate than the last debate, and a lot more blood on the floor.

After a friendly round of introductions, the second Republican presidential debate in Simi Valley, California, on Wednesday quickly plunged into clashes that shifted from policy to the personal and back again, with more politically experienced candidates trying to gain an advantage against the front-runner at center stage: Donald Trump.