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Democratic debate: Joe Biden criticised for race record Democratic debate: Joe Biden criticised for race record
(30 minutes later)
Democratic White House front-runner Joe Biden has come under ferocious attack for his record on race in a televised debate with nine rivals. Democratic White House front-runner Joe Biden has come under fierce attack for his record on race in a televised debate with nine rivals.
Senator Kamala Harris assailed him for touting his past work with racist senators and having once opposed a policy to foster diversity in schools. Senator Kamala Harris assailed him for touting his past work with bigoted senators and having once opposed a policy to foster diversity in schools.
He said she had "mischaracterised" his position, insisting he had entered politics to champion civil rights.He said she had "mischaracterised" his position, insisting he had entered politics to champion civil rights.
The candidates are vying to take on Donald Trump in next year's election.The candidates are vying to take on Donald Trump in next year's election.
How did the flashpoint occur?How did the flashpoint occur?
The clash of the night unfolded as the issue of racial profiling and policing was discussed during Thursday night's forum in Miami, Florida. The clash of the night unfolded midway through Thursday night's forum in Miami, Florida.
Ms Harris - the only black woman in the crowded Democratic field of 20 - talked over the debate moderators to insist: "I would like to speak on the issue of race." Ms Harris - the only black woman in the Democratic field of 20 candidates - pilloried Mr Biden for this month having cited his work decades ago in the Senate with fellow Democrats who had favoured segregation of the races.
Turning to Mr Biden she pilloried him for citing his past work with fellow Democrats who favoured segregation of the races in order to get things done in the Senate. Turning to him, she said: "I do not believe you are a racist and I agree with you when you commit yourself to the importance of finding common ground.
Ms Harris, the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, said to Mr Biden: "I do not believe you are a racist and I agree with you when you commit yourself to the importance of finding common ground.
"But I also believe, and it's personal and I was actually very, it was hurtful to hear you talk about the reputations of two United States senators who built their reputations and career on the segregation of race in this country.""But I also believe, and it's personal and I was actually very, it was hurtful to hear you talk about the reputations of two United States senators who built their reputations and career on the segregation of race in this country."
She also took him to task for taking a lead role in the mid-1970s in the fight against sending white children to majority-black schools in other neighbourhoods, and vice versa. She also took him to task for his political role in the mid-1970s fighting against sending white children to majority-black schools in other neighbourhoods, and vice versa.
"And it was not only that," the 54-year-old said, "but you also worked with them [racist senators] to oppose bussing."And it was not only that," the 54-year-old said, "but you also worked with them [racist senators] to oppose bussing.
"And there was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public school and she was bussed to school every day. And that little girl was me.""And there was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public school and she was bussed to school every day. And that little girl was me."
Mr Biden - who has previously said he "detested" what the segregationists stood for - hit back: "It's a mischaracterisation of my position across the board. Mr Biden - who said last week he "detested" what the segregationists stood for - bristled: "It's a mischaracterisation of my position across the board.
"I did not praise racists. That is not true.""I did not praise racists. That is not true."
He pointed out he had been a criminal defence lawyer, in a veiled jab at Ms Harris, a public prosecutor. Ms Harris challenged Mr Biden to disavow his past opposition to bussing in America.
She has previously been forced to defend her record as a San Francisco district attorney, amid claims she breached the rights of defendants and opposed criminal justice reforms.
On stage, Ms Harris challenged Mr Biden to disavow his past criticism of bussing in America.
He insisted he was only against the policy being mandated by the federal government, but had no problem with its implementation at a state level.He insisted he was only against the policy being mandated by the federal government, but had no problem with its implementation at a state level.
Mr Biden also cited his tenure serving two terms as vice-president to Barack Obama, America's first black president.Mr Biden also cited his tenure serving two terms as vice-president to Barack Obama, America's first black president.
Who will take on Trump?Who will take on Trump?
Choose your candidate and filter by categoryChoose your candidate and filter by category
The former Delaware senator was aiming on Thursday night to consolidate his status as the front-runner after recent missteps. Who else was on stage?
The 76-year-old has flip-flopped on abortion and recanted after provoking liberal ire for calling Vice-President Mike Pence "a decent guy". Debate-watchers had been expecting a duel between Mr Biden and Bernie Sanders.
But as pack leader, he found himself with a big bullseye on his back as he took to the podium before a national TV audience of millions. Mr Biden, a pragmatic centrist, and Mr Sanders, a Democratic socialist, have been battling for the soul of the party as it ponders how best to take on President Trump.
Debate-watchers were expecting a duel between Mr Biden and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Mr Sanders, a Vermont senator, did dominate the first half hour by defending his plans for free healthcare for all and denouncing Mr Trump as "a pathological liar and a racist".
Mr Biden, a centrist, and Mr Sanders, an ultraliberal, have been battling for the soul of the party as it ponders how best to take on President Trump. Also in the fray was another top-tier contender, Pete Buttigieg, the 37-year-old gay mayor of South Bend, Indiana.
Ms Harris has until now failed to match the heavyweights' star power in a crowded Democratic field, though she has remained one of the few top-tier candidates since launching her campaign in January.
She soon grabbed the limelight after taking to the stage on Thursday night, however.
The mauling of Mr Biden was not her only standout moment.
As the debated unravelled at one point into a free-for-all shouting match, she was cheered for saying: "America does not want to witness a food fight - they want to know how we're going to put food on their table!"
Railing against President Trump at another point, she said with an emphasis on the female pronoun: "I will ensure that this microphone - that the president of the United States holds in her hand - is used in a way that is about reflecting the values of our country."
Also in the fray on Thursday night was another top-tier contender, Pete Buttigieg, the 37-year-old gay mayor of South Bend, Indiana.
The other six on stage have all been polling at one per cent or less: Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Michael Bennet, former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, congressman Eric Swalwell, self-help guru Marianne Williamson and entrepreneur Andrew Yang.The other six on stage have all been polling at one per cent or less: Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Michael Bennet, former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, congressman Eric Swalwell, self-help guru Marianne Williamson and entrepreneur Andrew Yang.
Ms Harris' ambush was not the only time that Mr Biden came under attack. Where did it all go wrong for Biden?
He found himself on the defensive early on in the debate on an issue that he has presented as one of his strengths - political longevity. Ms Harris' ambush was not the first time in the debate before a national TV audience of millions that Mr Biden came under attack.
The 76-year-old found himself on the defensive early on an issue that he has presented as one of his strengths - political longevity.
Mr Swalwell said: "I was six years old when a presidential candidate came to the California Democratic convention and said, 'It's time to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans.'Mr Swalwell said: "I was six years old when a presidential candidate came to the California Democratic convention and said, 'It's time to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans.'
"That candidate was then-Senator Joe Biden. Joe Biden was right when he said it was time to pass the torch to a new generation Americans 32 years ago - he's still right today.""That candidate was then-Senator Joe Biden. Joe Biden was right when he said it was time to pass the torch to a new generation Americans 32 years ago - he's still right today."
Mr Biden retorted: "I'm still holding on to that torch." Mr Biden, who would be the oldest president ever elected, retorted: "I'm still holding on to that torch."
The former Delaware senator's debate game plan had been to consolidate his status as the front-runner after recent missteps.
He has flip-flopped on abortion and recanted after provoking liberal ire for calling Vice-President Mike Pence "a decent guy".
But as pack leader, he found himself with a big bullseye on his back.
Where did it all go right for Harris?
Until now, Ms Harris has failed to match the heavyweights' star power in a crowded Democratic field, though she has remained one of the few top-tier candidates since launching her campaign in January.
She soon grabbed the limelight on Thursday night. The mauling of Mr Biden was not her only standout moment.
As the debated unravelled at one point into a free-for-all shouting match, she was cheered for saying: "America does not want to witness a food fight - they want to know how we're going to put food on their table!"
Railing against President Trump at another point, she said with an emphasis on the female pronoun: "I will ensure that this microphone - that the president of the United States holds in her hand - is used in a way that is about reflecting the values of our country."
Ms Harris - who is the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants - is not without her own political baggage, however.
On stage, Mr Biden pointed out he had been a criminal defence lawyer, in a veiled jab at her prior career as a public prosecutor.
She has been forced to defend her record as a San Francisco district attorney, amid claims she breached the rights of defendants and opposed criminal justice reforms.