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| Democratic Debate Highlights: Candidates Make Forceful Cases for Progressive Policies | |
| (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. |
| Several Democratic candidates on stage gave an aggressive defense of their party’s progressivism on economic inequality, guns, abortion and immigration. Ms. Warren emerged as the early center of gravity in the debate, especially on economic matters, but the jousting among the 10 candidates led to an often-fragmented first hour. | Several Democratic candidates on stage gave an aggressive defense of their party’s progressivism on economic inequality, guns, abortion and immigration. Ms. Warren emerged as the early center of gravity in the debate, especially on economic matters, but the jousting among the 10 candidates led to an often-fragmented first hour. |
| Some of the clearest contrasts came on health care, as Ms. Warren and Mr. de Blasio embraced abolishing private insurance for a government-run program while the rest of the field endorsed a less drastic approach, even as they all proclaimed the same control of universal coverage. | Some of the clearest contrasts came on health care, as Ms. Warren and Mr. de Blasio embraced abolishing private insurance for a government-run program while the rest of the field endorsed a less drastic approach, even as they all proclaimed the same control of universal coverage. |
| “We have a giant industry that wants our health care industry to stay the way it is,” Ms. Warren said of her embrace of Medicare-for-All. | “We have a giant industry that wants our health care industry to stay the way it is,” Ms. Warren said of her embrace of Medicare-for-All. |
| While her opponents were forced to respond repeatedly to Ms. Warren’s economic and other proposals in the early minutes of the debate, she faded more to the background as the night wore on, as some of the more desperate and lower-polling candidates battled each other and the moderators for airtime. At one point, Mr. de Blasio was only silenced by an impending commercial break. | While her opponents were forced to respond repeatedly to Ms. Warren’s economic and other proposals in the early minutes of the debate, she faded more to the background as the night wore on, as some of the more desperate and lower-polling candidates battled each other and the moderators for airtime. At one point, Mr. de Blasio was only silenced by an impending commercial break. |
| Ms. Warren, the leading candidate on Wednesday’s debate stage, faced the first question for the night. Savannah Guthrie of “Today” noted Ms. Warren’s many plans — “free college, free child care, government health care, cancellation of student debt, new taxes, new regulations, the break up of major corporations” — and asked, “What do you say to those who worry this significant change could be risky to the economy?” | |
| Ms. Warren said 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.” | |
| [Who’s running for president? Check out our candidate tracker.] | [Who’s running for president? Check out our candidate tracker.] |
| “We need to make structural change in our government, in our economy and in our country,” Ms. Warren said. | “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. | 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. | “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. | “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. | 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. |
| 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.” | 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. | 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. | 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.” | “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.” | 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.” |
| Chuck Todd of NBC asked the field who the biggest “geopolitical threat” was to the United States. And the Democrats did not agree. Here were their answers: | |
| Mr. Delaney: “The biggest challenge is China.” He added, “The biggest geopolitical threat remains nuclear weapons.” | |
| Mr. Inslee: “The biggest threat is Donald Trump.” | |
| Ms. Gabbard: “Nuclear war.” | |
| Ms. Klobuchar: “China” (as an “economic threat”). But, she added, “the major threat is what is going in the Mideast with Iran.” | |
| Mr. O’Rourke: “Climate change.” | |
| Ms. Warren: “Climate change.” | |
| Mr. Booker: “Nuclear proliferation and climate change.” | |
| Mr. Castro: “China and climate change.” | |
| Mr. Ryan: “China.” | |
| Mr. de Blasio: “Russia.” | |
| The Florida debate came in the same state as the deadly Parkland school shooting, and the Democrats engaged in a long discussion of guns and what can be done to mitigate the increasingly common gun violence plaguing America. | The Florida debate came in the same state as the deadly Parkland school shooting, and the Democrats engaged in a long discussion of guns and what can be done to mitigate the increasingly common gun violence plaguing America. |
| “For millions of Americans, this is not a policy issue, this is an urgency,” Mr. Booker said. “For those that have not been affected, they’re tired of living in a country where their kids go to school to learn about reading, writing and arithmetic and how to deal with an active shooter in school.” | “For millions of Americans, this is not a policy issue, this is an urgency,” Mr. Booker said. “For those that have not been affected, they’re tired of living in a country where their kids go to school to learn about reading, writing and arithmetic and how to deal with an active shooter in school.” |
| More than once in the debate, Mr. Booker pointed out that he is the only candidate who lives in a poor community, citing a recent neighborhood victim of gun violence. Mr. Booker also pressed his plan to have every gun owner get a license, just like driver’s license. He noted that not everyone on stage agreed. He did not name Mr. O’Rourke, but the Texas congressman has raised questions about that proposal. | More than once in the debate, Mr. Booker pointed out that he is the only candidate who lives in a poor community, citing a recent neighborhood victim of gun violence. Mr. Booker also pressed his plan to have every gun owner get a license, just like driver’s license. He noted that not everyone on stage agreed. He did not name Mr. O’Rourke, but the Texas congressman has raised questions about that proposal. |
| Ms. Klobuchar compared the battle for gun control to the gay rights movement. | Ms. Klobuchar compared the battle for gun control to the gay rights movement. |
| “These Parkland kids from Florida started literally a national shift, you know why? It’s just with like gay marriage. When kids talked to their parents and grandparents and say ‘I don’t understand why we can’t but these sensible things in place’, they listen,” Ms. Klobuchar said. | “These Parkland kids from Florida started literally a national shift, you know why? It’s just with like gay marriage. When kids talked to their parents and grandparents and say ‘I don’t understand why we can’t but these sensible things in place’, they listen,” Ms. Klobuchar said. |
| Mr. Booker, who faced fierce backlash from some of his constituents when he ultimately supported the Iran nuclear deal during the Obama administration, was the only one onstage not to raise his hand when the candidates were asked who would sign on to the 2015 nuclear deal as originally negotiated. | Mr. Booker, who faced fierce backlash from some of his constituents when he ultimately supported the Iran nuclear deal during the Obama administration, was the only one onstage not to raise his hand when the candidates were asked who would sign on to the 2015 nuclear deal as originally negotiated. |
| Mr. Trump pulled out of that deal and recently tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated. | Mr. Trump pulled out of that deal and recently tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated. |
| “We need to renegotiate and get back into the deal, but I’m not going to have a primary platform to say unilaterally I’m going to rejoin that deal,” Mr. Booker said. | “We need to renegotiate and get back into the deal, but I’m not going to have a primary platform to say unilaterally I’m going to rejoin that deal,” Mr. Booker said. |
| Ms. Klobuchar has also been critical of the deal. She called it “imperfect but it was a good deal for that moment.” She said she didn’t think that the country “should conduct foreign policy in our bathrobe at 5 a.m.” | Ms. Klobuchar has also been critical of the deal. She called it “imperfect but it was a good deal for that moment.” She said she didn’t think that the country “should conduct foreign policy in our bathrobe at 5 a.m.” |
| Ms. Gabbard, a veteran who is also known for her controversial overtures toward the Syrian government which has been accused of major human rights violations, was adamant in her position: “No war with Iran.” | Ms. Gabbard, a veteran who is also known for her controversial overtures toward the Syrian government which has been accused of major human rights violations, was adamant in her position: “No war with Iran.” |
| “This president and his chicken hawk cabinet have led us to the brink of war with Iran,” she said. She called for a de-escalation of tensions and said that “Trump needs to get back in the Iran nuclear deal.” | “This president and his chicken hawk cabinet have led us to the brink of war with Iran,” she said. She called for a de-escalation of tensions and said that “Trump needs to get back in the Iran nuclear deal.” |
| Ms. Warren has reveled in having “a plan” for a wide range of policy issues. On Wednesday night she said that applied to dealing with Senate Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, who has been successful in blocking many Democratic ambitions over the years, as well. | Ms. Warren has reveled in having “a plan” for a wide range of policy issues. On Wednesday night she said that applied to dealing with Senate Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, who has been successful in blocking many Democratic ambitions over the years, as well. |
| Asked whether she had “a plan to deal with Mitch McConnell” — especially if Democrats don’t take back the Senate next fall — Ms. Warren replied simply, “I do.” | Asked whether she had “a plan to deal with Mitch McConnell” — especially if Democrats don’t take back the Senate next fall — Ms. Warren replied simply, “I do.” |
| “Short of a Democratic majority, you better understand the fight still goes on,” Ms. Warren said. | “Short of a Democratic majority, you better understand the fight still goes on,” Ms. Warren said. |
| It “starts in the White House,” she continued, and said that every person “we energize in 2020 stays on the front lines come January 2021. We have to push from the outside and have leadership from the inside and make this Congress reflect the will of the people.” | It “starts in the White House,” she continued, and said that every person “we energize in 2020 stays on the front lines come January 2021. We have to push from the outside and have leadership from the inside and make this Congress reflect the will of the people.” |
| NBC producers suffered an audio problem that briefly interrupted the proceedings, leaving candidates confused and viewers at home watching an unexpected set of advertisements. | NBC producers suffered an audio problem that briefly interrupted the proceedings, leaving candidates confused and viewers at home watching an unexpected set of advertisements. |
| Chuck Todd, who came on to co-moderate the debate’s second hour, told the audience that the microphones of the previous moderators — Ms. Guthrie, Lester Holt, and José Díaz-Balart — were still live, scrambling the audio feed. | Chuck Todd, who came on to co-moderate the debate’s second hour, told the audience that the microphones of the previous moderators — Ms. Guthrie, Lester Holt, and José Díaz-Balart — were still live, scrambling the audio feed. |
| It was a brief interruption but enough to merit the attention of one TV-savvy viewer: President Trump, who was monitoring from his trip to Japan on Air Force One. | It was a brief interruption but enough to merit the attention of one TV-savvy viewer: President Trump, who was monitoring from his trip to Japan on Air Force One. |
| “.@NBCNews and @MSNBC should be ashamed of themselves for having such a horrible technical breakdown in the middle of the debate,” the president wrote, using the problem as an excuse to repeat one of his usual attacks on the network. “Truly unprofessional and only worthy of a FAKE NEWS Organization, which they are!” | “.@NBCNews and @MSNBC should be ashamed of themselves for having such a horrible technical breakdown in the middle of the debate,” the president wrote, using the problem as an excuse to repeat one of his usual attacks on the network. “Truly unprofessional and only worthy of a FAKE NEWS Organization, which they are!” |
| The two Texans on stage, Mr. Castro and Mr. O’Rourke, engaged in one of the most heated and detailed exchanges of the debate as they argued over immigration policy, as Mr. Castro pressed Mr. O’Rourke to go further, invoking specific code sections of immigration law that should be repealed. | The two Texans on stage, Mr. Castro and Mr. O’Rourke, engaged in one of the most heated and detailed exchanges of the debate as they argued over immigration policy, as Mr. Castro pressed Mr. O’Rourke to go further, invoking specific code sections of immigration law that should be repealed. |
| Mr. O’Rourke, who represented the border city of El Paso in Congress, began his answer in Spanish — the second time he has done so. But as he transitioned to English, Mr. Castro sought to butt in, pressing him to endorse repealing a human trafficking provision currently used to justify actions at the border. | Mr. O’Rourke, who represented the border city of El Paso in Congress, began his answer in Spanish — the second time he has done so. But as he transitioned to English, Mr. Castro sought to butt in, pressing him to endorse repealing a human trafficking provision currently used to justify actions at the border. |
| Mr. O’Rourke declined to embrace what Mr. Castro was calling for, promising a comprehensive overhaul. As part of that, he said, “We would not detain any families, in fact fleeing the deadliest countries on the face of the planet today.” | Mr. O’Rourke declined to embrace what Mr. Castro was calling for, promising a comprehensive overhaul. As part of that, he said, “We would not detain any families, in fact fleeing the deadliest countries on the face of the planet today.” |
| Some Democrats have hoped either Mr. O’Rourke or Mr. Castro would run for Senate instead of president, and the exchange was a reminder of the sub-primaries within the broader primary. | Some Democrats have hoped either Mr. O’Rourke or Mr. Castro would run for Senate instead of president, and the exchange was a reminder of the sub-primaries within the broader primary. |
| In his first question of the debate directed at him, Mr. O’Rourke chose to answer in two languages: English and Spanish. | 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. | 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. | 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. | “The situation now is unacceptable, this president has attacked, he has demonized immigrants. I am going to change this,” Mr. Booker said. |
| Mr. Castro also introduced himself to the audience in Spanish. | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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.” | “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. | The crowd applauded. |
| “Private insurance is not working for tens of millions of Americans,” Mr. de Blasio later added. | “Private insurance is not working for tens of millions of Americans,” Mr. de Blasio later added. |