[time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] It’s difficult to dominate a man who isn’t there, and the eight Republican candidates onstage in Milwaukee on Wednesday night didn’t really try. Not until an hour into the first debate of the 2024 primary season did the moderators force the issue of “the elephant not in the room,” to what seemed to be the candidates’ and audience’s collective chagrin. They pleaded to change the subject: “I’ve answered this before,” complained Florida Gov.