The first Republican primary debate for the 2024 presidential race took place in Milwaukee on Wednesday night. While Donald Trump was not on the stage, he still managed to dominate the discussion. However, another candidate seemed to steal the spotlight - Vivek Ramaswamy.

Ramaswamy, a 38-year-old biotech entrepreneur, became the primary target of his opponents during the debate. Despite not having a realistic chance of becoming the nominee or president, Ramaswamy managed to command attention and portray himself as a threat to the party's establishment. The fact that the other candidates focused their attacks on him indicates that they see him as a rival who could potentially disrupt their own campaigns.

On the other hand, former President Ron DeSantis, who currently polls second to Trump, was largely ignored by his opponents during the debate. This could be seen as a positive for DeSantis, who has been facing negative headlines and disappointing polling in recent months.

While the debate may have reset the race for some candidates, the presence of Ramaswamy and the ongoing influence of Trump make it unclear if anyone can truly challenge the former president's hold on the Republican Party. The battle for the nomination remains in a holding pattern, with Trump's presence casting a significant shadow over the proceedings.