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Live Updates From Tonight’s First Democratic Debate Democratic Debate Live Updates: If Elected, What Would Candidates Do on Day 1?
(32 minutes later)
The candidates on stage tonight: Bill de Blasio, Tim Ryan, Julián Castro, Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, Beto O’Rourke, Amy Klobuchar, Tulsi Gabbard, Jay Inslee and John Delaney.The candidates on stage tonight: Bill de Blasio, Tim Ryan, Julián Castro, Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, Beto O’Rourke, Amy Klobuchar, Tulsi Gabbard, Jay Inslee and John Delaney.
Savannah Guthrie of NBC asked, “You have many plans, free college, free child care, government health care, cancellation of student debt, new taxes, new regulations, the break up of major corporations. Seventy-one percent of Americans say the economy is doing well, including 60 percent of Democrats. What do you say to those who worry this significant change could be risky to the economy?”
Ms. Warren replied that the economy is “doing great” for a “thinner and thinner slice at the top,” from “giant oil companies” to “people who want to invest in private prisons. Just not for African-Americans and LatinX whose families are torn apart, lives destroyed, communities ruined.”
“We need to make structural change in our government, in our economy and in our country,” Ms. Warren said.
Ms. Klobuchar, offered a chance to critique Ms. Warren’s plans, offered a relatively gentle jab at the plans of liberal candidates like Ms. Warren to make college tuition-free.
“I do get concerned about paying for college for rich kids. I do,” Ms. Klobuchar said. But then she pivoted to attack President Trump.
“Donald Trump just sits in the White House and gloats about what’s going on” in the economy she said.
Mr. Booker later got a question about tech companies and some of Ms. Warren’s rhetoric about breaking them up. Mr. Booker also took a pass at directly disagreeing with Ms. Warren.
The early stages of this debate: Very civil.
After Mr. Inslee highlighted his record of defending abortion rights as governor, Ms. Klobuchar shot back, “I just want to say that there are three women up here who have fought pretty hard for women’s right to choose.”
She was joined onstage by Ms. Warren and Ms. Gabbard. Three more women candidates will appear onstage Thursday: Ms. Harris, Ms. Gillibrand and Ms. Williamson.
Democrat after Democrat chimed in to flash their bona fides on abortion, one of the most hot button issues in the nation.
“I don’t believe only in reproductive freedom, i believe in reproductive justice,” Mr. Castro said to relatively loud applause. He went on, “What that means is that just because a woman — or let’s not forget someone in the transcommunity, a transfemale is poor, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have the right to exercise that right to choose.”
Ms. Warren added on, “It’s not enough for us to expect the courts to protect us.” She called to make Roe v. Wade a “federal law” as “state after state undermined Roe.”
In his first question of the debate directed at him, Mr. O’Rourke chose to answer in two languages: English and Spanish.
But in neither language did Mr. O’Rourke answer the specific question — whether he would support the highest tax rate being 70 percent, even as Ms. Guthrie pushed to follow up. He called for a “fair” tax code and raising corporate tax rates.
Later, Mr. Booker answered a question about his day one immigration agenda in Spanish, as well.
“The situation now is unacceptable, this president has attacked, he has demonized immigrants. I am going to change this,” Mr. Booker said.
After nearly 20 minutes of limited interaction between the candidates on stage, Mr. Holt pulled out his first raise-your-hand question: Which candidates on stage support abolishing private health insurance companies in favor of a government-run plan.
Only two of the 10 candidates on the stage raised their hands high in the air: Ms. Warren and Mr. de Blasio.
Later, Ms. Warren explained why she embraced the so-called Medicare-for-All approach to health care, and criticized politicians who said it was unfeasible.
“What they’re really telling you is they just won’t fight for it,” she said. “Well, health care is a basic human right and I’ll fight for it.”
The crowd applauded.
“Private insurance is not working for tens of millions of Americans,” Mr. de Blasio later added.
On Tuesday, a shocking image surfaced from the U.S.-Mexico border: Óscar Alberto Martínez Ramírez and his 23-month-old daughter drowned in the Rio Grande as they journeyed toward Texas hoping to seek asylum. They were captured in a photograph lying face down in the dirty water with the daughter’s arm over her father’s neck, huddled inside his black shirt.On Tuesday, a shocking image surfaced from the U.S.-Mexico border: Óscar Alberto Martínez Ramírez and his 23-month-old daughter drowned in the Rio Grande as they journeyed toward Texas hoping to seek asylum. They were captured in a photograph lying face down in the dirty water with the daughter’s arm over her father’s neck, huddled inside his black shirt.
And late Tuesday night, word broke that Robert S. Mueller III, the former special counsel, had agreed to testify before Congress on July 17 on his investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election as well as President Trump’s potential obstruction of justice. And late Tuesday night, word broke that Robert S. Mueller III, the former special counsel, had agreed to testify before Congress on July 17 on his investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election as well as President Trump’s potential obstruction of justice
It’s hard to imagine that these two dramatic news developments won’t play roles in tonight’s debate, which begins at 9 p.m. Eastern Time. But what kind of roles? What will the candidates say about Mr. Ramírez and his daughter, and about the families and children facing danger and detention at the Southern border?
For many observers, the image drove home the desperation of migrants as they attempt to reach the United States. On the debate stage, Democrats could be looking for ways to draw contrasts with Mr. Trump’s hard-line border policies, and it could create an opening for the two Texans onstage, Mr. O’Rourke and Mr. Castro, to speak with authority and passion about an issue directly affecting their state.For many observers, the image drove home the desperation of migrants as they attempt to reach the United States. On the debate stage, Democrats could be looking for ways to draw contrasts with Mr. Trump’s hard-line border policies, and it could create an opening for the two Texans onstage, Mr. O’Rourke and Mr. Castro, to speak with authority and passion about an issue directly affecting their state.
And will the Mueller testimony prompt the NBC moderators to inject the issue of impeachment into the Democratic debates in a prominent way?And will the Mueller testimony prompt the NBC moderators to inject the issue of impeachment into the Democratic debates in a prominent way?
While some of the most prominent 2020 contenders support beginning impeachment proceedings against Mr. Trump, others, including Joseph R. Biden Jr., the former vice president, have backed a more restrained approach as some Democrats worry that a focus on impeachment could lead to political backlash.While some of the most prominent 2020 contenders support beginning impeachment proceedings against Mr. Trump, others, including Joseph R. Biden Jr., the former vice president, have backed a more restrained approach as some Democrats worry that a focus on impeachment could lead to political backlash.
One short question ahead of the debate: Will any of the candidates opt to stand on an “apple box” to boost their height?One short question ahead of the debate: Will any of the candidates opt to stand on an “apple box” to boost their height?
After all, Mr. de Blasio will be standing 6-foot-5 and seven-eighths of an inch high at one edge of the stage.After all, Mr. de Blasio will be standing 6-foot-5 and seven-eighths of an inch high at one edge of the stage.
A memo from the Democratic National Committee to the campaigns ahead of the debate said that two sizes would be available. But it’s not clear that the extra inches could be worth the potential for ridicule.A memo from the Democratic National Committee to the campaigns ahead of the debate said that two sizes would be available. But it’s not clear that the extra inches could be worth the potential for ridicule.
Dan Pfeiffer, a Democratic strategist, recalled working for Senator Tom Daschle in 2004 and having him sit on a pillow during a debate to appear taller. It became a big story.Dan Pfeiffer, a Democratic strategist, recalled working for Senator Tom Daschle in 2004 and having him sit on a pillow during a debate to appear taller. It became a big story.
“Lesson: looking short would have been better,” Mr. Pfeiffer wrote on Twitter.“Lesson: looking short would have been better,” Mr. Pfeiffer wrote on Twitter.
Democratic presidential hopefuls face the daunting task of vying for attention in a series of debates including 20 candidates (Thursday night, the next set of candidates will debate one another). Republicans had a similar problem in 2016.
Hillary Clinton competed in two cycles of presidential primary debates, in 2016 and 2008, and she was the only woman on stage both times. Most presidential campaigns since 2000 have had a female candidate running in one or both parties — until this year, when a record six women entered the race for the Democratic nomination.Hillary Clinton competed in two cycles of presidential primary debates, in 2016 and 2008, and she was the only woman on stage both times. Most presidential campaigns since 2000 have had a female candidate running in one or both parties — until this year, when a record six women entered the race for the Democratic nomination.
So Wednesday night’s debate will make history: instead of one woman on the presidential debate stage, there will be three: Ms. Warren, Ms. Klobuchar and Ms. Gabbard.So Wednesday night’s debate will make history: instead of one woman on the presidential debate stage, there will be three: Ms. Warren, Ms. Klobuchar and Ms. Gabbard.
Some Democratic activists and elected officials have expressed concerns that the women running for president are being overlooked by many voters and some donors, pointing to the fact that Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders have been leading in the polls and raising significant money.Some Democratic activists and elected officials have expressed concerns that the women running for president are being overlooked by many voters and some donors, pointing to the fact that Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders have been leading in the polls and raising significant money.
The debates are the biggest chance yet for the six women to make the most a national spotlight. Many of them have significant legislative and debate experience, and their supporters hope that their resumes and some of their personal characteristics that have received less attention — Ms. Klobuchar’s sense of humor, for example — may attract notice as well.The debates are the biggest chance yet for the six women to make the most a national spotlight. Many of them have significant legislative and debate experience, and their supporters hope that their resumes and some of their personal characteristics that have received less attention — Ms. Klobuchar’s sense of humor, for example — may attract notice as well.
Thursday night’s debate will include Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand and Marianne Williamson.Thursday night’s debate will include Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand and Marianne Williamson.
Hours before taking the debate stage, Ms. Warren traveled to Homestead, a South Florida facility for unaccompanied migrant children that is often referred to as a detention center.
Homestead has become a symbol, in some political and immigration activist circles, of the Trump administration’s hard-line immigration policies, which once officially included separating children from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Ms. Warren climbed up on a stepladder to wave to children inside the facility.
“These were children who were being marched like little soldiers, like little prisoners, from one place to another,” she told reporters.
She is one of several presidential candidates to pledge to visit the facility.
Ms. Klobuchar and Jane Sanders, the wife of Bernie Sanders, also visited later Wednesday. Mr. Swalwell was there earlier this week and Mr. O’Rourke has said he will visit Thursday, and a host of contenders, including Kamala Harris and Pete Buttigieg, are expected there Friday.
Patricia Mazzei contributed reporting from Homestead, Fla.
How many candidates are here in Florida for the first Democratic debates? So many that one, former Gov. John Hickenlooper of Colorado, was spotted on Wednesday getting asked about whether he was picking up press credentials.
“I’m a candidate,” replied Mr. Hickenlooper, according to NPR’s Scott Detrow who was there. (Something similar happened to Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul in 2015.) Democratic presidential hopefuls face the daunting task of vying for attention in a series of debates including 20 candidates (Thursday night, the next set of candidates will debate one another). Republicans had a similar problem in 2016.
Candidates were nearly crossing paths inside the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami. As Senator Elizabeth Warren was doing her stage walk-through, Senator Bernie Sanders was high in the rafters taping an interview on MSNBC. (Their aides tweeted photos at one another.)
While most candidates were laying relatively low before the debate, Mr. Sanders had a combative response to a question about whether he would leave the race before the Democratic convention if it was clear he would not be the nominee.
“I intend to be the Democratic nominee,” he replied. But as an NBC correspondent pressed him on complaints from “some people” that his prolonged candidacy hurt Hillary Clinton, he retorted, “‘Some people’ say that if, maybe, the system was not rigged against, I would have won the nomination and defeated Donald Trump. That’s what ‘some people’ say.”
“So I think,” Mr. Sanders added, “we’re going to play it out.”
Ms. Warren has gained on Mr. Sanders in some polls as both fight for the mantle of progressive standard-bearer. And in recent weeks, Mr. Sanders and his allies have appeared to take some oblique swipes at her.Ms. Warren has gained on Mr. Sanders in some polls as both fight for the mantle of progressive standard-bearer. And in recent weeks, Mr. Sanders and his allies have appeared to take some oblique swipes at her.
Ms. Warren will be onstage Wednesday while Mr. Sanders won’t appear until Thursday — but it is worth watching whether Ms. Warren, directly or implicitly, proactively moves to draw contrasts with Mr. Sanders.Ms. Warren will be onstage Wednesday while Mr. Sanders won’t appear until Thursday — but it is worth watching whether Ms. Warren, directly or implicitly, proactively moves to draw contrasts with Mr. Sanders.
She has been more open in her differences with former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., criticizing his high-dollar fund-raising and his references last week to working with segregationists during his time in the Senate.She has been more open in her differences with former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., criticizing his high-dollar fund-raising and his references last week to working with segregationists during his time in the Senate.
Mr. Biden won’t be onstage with Ms. Warren either, but it will be notable if she sharpens her argument against him on Wednesday.Mr. Biden won’t be onstage with Ms. Warren either, but it will be notable if she sharpens her argument against him on Wednesday.
Telemundo will be the first Spanish-language network to co-host a Democratic presidential debate, bringing the candidates to thousands of Latino living rooms across the country and bringing Latinos’ concerns to prime time.Telemundo will be the first Spanish-language network to co-host a Democratic presidential debate, bringing the candidates to thousands of Latino living rooms across the country and bringing Latinos’ concerns to prime time.
If there is a moment to address Latino voters, it’s this one. Moderators and candidates might frame their questions and responses to address the concerns of the Latino community a lot more than usual.If there is a moment to address Latino voters, it’s this one. Moderators and candidates might frame their questions and responses to address the concerns of the Latino community a lot more than usual.
Immigration and the border and family separations are sure to come up. Health care and job security — Latino voter’s biggest concerns is likely to come up as well. Spanish-sprinkled answers are to be expected, especially from Mr. Castro and Mr. O’Rourke.Immigration and the border and family separations are sure to come up. Health care and job security — Latino voter’s biggest concerns is likely to come up as well. Spanish-sprinkled answers are to be expected, especially from Mr. Castro and Mr. O’Rourke.
The debate will not just occur live on national television. It will be discussed, digested, and shaped simultaneously on the second screen of Twitter (#DemDebate is the official hashtag).
And every campaign knows it.
Agile campaigns these days write numerous tweets, both for themselves as campaign officials and for influential outsiders who might amplify their message or big moment.
Are you watching the debates? We’re eager to hear from our readers.Are you watching the debates? We’re eager to hear from our readers.
Please tell us in the comments what you think of the candidates’ performances. For Democrats, who did you did you support going into the debates? Has that changed? If so, tell us why.Please tell us in the comments what you think of the candidates’ performances. For Democrats, who did you did you support going into the debates? Has that changed? If so, tell us why.
We want to hear from Republicans, too — who has stood out to you? Did any of the candidates resonate with you or seem to pose a serious threat to President Trump’s re-election bid?We want to hear from Republicans, too — who has stood out to you? Did any of the candidates resonate with you or seem to pose a serious threat to President Trump’s re-election bid?
We may feature your comments in upcoming stories. Please include your name, where you live and what party you’re registered with.We may feature your comments in upcoming stories. Please include your name, where you live and what party you’re registered with.