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Tonight’s Democratic Debate: Live Updates Watch Tonight’s Democratic Debate: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
Moderators: Judy Woodruff, Amna Nawaz, Yamiche Alcindor and Tim Alberta.Moderators: Judy Woodruff, Amna Nawaz, Yamiche Alcindor and Tim Alberta.
Candidates: Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Ind., Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, the billionaire Tom Steyer and the entrepreneur Andrew Yang.Candidates: Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Ind., Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, the billionaire Tom Steyer and the entrepreneur Andrew Yang.
Some Democrats worried tonight’s debate would bring the smallest viewing audience yet, coming on the Thursday before much of the country leaves for Christmas vacations.
The first segments didn’t have the sort of exciting give-and-take that keep people tuned in. Moderators focused questions on impeachment, climate change and the Trump economy — issues on which the Democratic presidential candidates largely agree.
Mr. Steyer sought to draw Mr. Buttigieg into a back-and-forth on the environment, and Mr. Buttigieg didn’t acknowledge the attack. And Mr. Buttigieg offered a gentle attack on Ms. Warren’s wealth tax, calling it “extreme” and suggesting it would damage the economy.
For the first full hour of the debate, there were no questions about health care, the issue on which the candidates have the starkest differences and one which Democratic voters say is the most important as they consider their vote in the primary.
Barack Obama ran for president in 2008 on a promise of closing the U.S. military detention camp at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. He won, and 12 years later the camp remains open.
Ms. Warren said she’d close it.
“Yes,” she said. “It’s time to close this detention facility. It not only costs us money it is an international embarrassment.”
Then Mr. Biden, who served as Mr. Obama’s vice president, was asked why the Obama administration failed to close the Guantánamo Bay compound. He claimed both that the Obama White House closed the facility and that Congress kept it open.
“We did close Guantánamo Bay,” he said. “But you have to have congressional authority to do it, they kept it open.”
Mr. Biden railed against the detention facility. “It is an advertisement for creating terror,” he said.
The moderators did not ask Mr. Biden to explain how Guantánamo could be open and closed at the same time.
Mr. Sanders called for America to adopt a foreign policy posture that is both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian.
“Israel has the right not only to exist to but exist in peace and security,” Mr. Sanders said. As the crowd began to applaud, he hastened to add, “But, but — but what U.S. foreign policy must be about is not just being pro-Israel. We must be pro-Palestinian as well.”
Mr. Sanders went on to accuse Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being a “racist.”
“We must understand that right now in Israel we have leadership who has been indicted for bribery, who, in my view, is a racist. What we need a level playing field in terms of the Middle East which addresses the terrible crisis in Gaza where 60 percent or 70 percent of the young people are unemployed,” he said.
The question to Mr. Yang: “The Democratic Party relies on black, Hispanic and Asian voters. But you are the only candidate of color on the stage tonight, and the entire field remains overwhelmingly white. What message do you think this sends to voters of color?”
Mr. Yang replied:
“It’s both an honor and disappointment to be the lone candidate of color on the stage tonight. I miss Kamala, I miss Cory, although I think Cory will be back. I grew up the son of immigrants and I had many racial epithets used against me as a kid. But black and Latinos have something much more powerful working against them than words. They have numbers. The average net worth of a black household is only 10 percent that of a white household. For Latinos, it’s 12 percent. If you are a black woman — is 320 percent more likely to die from complications in childbirth. These are the numbers that define race in our country. And the question is why am I the lone candidate of color on this stage?
“Fewer than 5 percent of Americans donate to political campaigns. You know what you need to donate to political campaigns? You know what you need to donate to political campaigns? Disposable income. The way we fix it, the way we fix this is we take Martin Luther King’s message of a guaranteed minimum income, a freedom dividend of $1,000 a month for all Americans. I guarantee if we had a freedom dividend of $1,000 a month, I would not be the only candidate of color on this stage tonight.”
One of the moderators, Tim Alberta, asked a climate change question that hasn’t been asked much on this campaign: Would you support federal funding to relocate communities threatened by rising sea levels and flooding rivers?One of the moderators, Tim Alberta, asked a climate change question that hasn’t been asked much on this campaign: Would you support federal funding to relocate communities threatened by rising sea levels and flooding rivers?
Ms. Klobuchar said not quite, though she allowed that some people would have to be moved.Ms. Klobuchar said not quite, though she allowed that some people would have to be moved.
“I very much hope we will not have to relocate entire cities, but we will probably have to relocate some individual residents,” she said.“I very much hope we will not have to relocate entire cities, but we will probably have to relocate some individual residents,” she said.
Mr. Steyer did not answer directly but promised he would declare a climate emergency on his first day in the White House. “Unequivocally this is my number one priority,” he said.Mr. Steyer did not answer directly but promised he would declare a climate emergency on his first day in the White House. “Unequivocally this is my number one priority,” he said.
Mr. Steyer then took a shot at Mr. Buttigieg, saying the South Bend mayor hasn’t put sufficient emphasis on climate change in his platform — the first criticism of Mr. Buttigieg from any candidate in tonight’s debate.Mr. Steyer then took a shot at Mr. Buttigieg, saying the South Bend mayor hasn’t put sufficient emphasis on climate change in his platform — the first criticism of Mr. Buttigieg from any candidate in tonight’s debate.
“I would call on Mayor Buttigieg to prioritize this higher because the people in his generation understand that this is a crisis that we have to go on right now, but it’s also the greatest opportunity to rebuild and reinvent America,” he said.“I would call on Mayor Buttigieg to prioritize this higher because the people in his generation understand that this is a crisis that we have to go on right now, but it’s also the greatest opportunity to rebuild and reinvent America,” he said.
Mr. Buttigieg did not strike back at Mr. Steyer, instead lumping all of the career politicians onstage together in saying they have done nothing to address climate change.Mr. Buttigieg did not strike back at Mr. Steyer, instead lumping all of the career politicians onstage together in saying they have done nothing to address climate change.
“I’ve seen politicians in Washington say the right thing on climate change as long as I’ve been alive,” he said.“I’ve seen politicians in Washington say the right thing on climate change as long as I’ve been alive,” he said.
Mr. Biden was asked if he was willing to risk moving some jobs from the natural gas and oil industries to address climate change.Mr. Biden was asked if he was willing to risk moving some jobs from the natural gas and oil industries to address climate change.
“The answer is yes,” he said, “The answer is yes, because the opportunity, the opportunity for those workers to transition to high paying jobs, as Tom said, is real.”“The answer is yes,” he said, “The answer is yes, because the opportunity, the opportunity for those workers to transition to high paying jobs, as Tom said, is real.”
Mr. Sanders disagreed with how the question was framed.Mr. Sanders disagreed with how the question was framed.
“The issue now is whether we save the planet for our children and our grandchildren,” he said. “Just maybe, instead of spending $1.8 trillion a year globally on weapons of destruction, maybe an American president, i.e. Bernie Sanders, can lead the world, instead of spending money to kill each other, maybe we pool our resources and fight our common enemy, which is climate change,” Mr. Sanders said.“The issue now is whether we save the planet for our children and our grandchildren,” he said. “Just maybe, instead of spending $1.8 trillion a year globally on weapons of destruction, maybe an American president, i.e. Bernie Sanders, can lead the world, instead of spending money to kill each other, maybe we pool our resources and fight our common enemy, which is climate change,” Mr. Sanders said.
Ms. Warren agreed is saying “climate change threatens every single thing on this planet.”Ms. Warren agreed is saying “climate change threatens every single thing on this planet.”
Ms. Warren got the question Wall Street has been whispering about since her wealth tax got popular among Democratic voters — that soaking the rich with more taxes will “stifle growth and investment.”Ms. Warren got the question Wall Street has been whispering about since her wealth tax got popular among Democratic voters — that soaking the rich with more taxes will “stifle growth and investment.”
“Oh, they’re just wrong,” Ms. Warren said.“Oh, they’re just wrong,” Ms. Warren said.
The rich, she said, won’t miss two cents per dollar on fortunes more than $50 million.The rich, she said, won’t miss two cents per dollar on fortunes more than $50 million.
Unsurprisingly, Mr. Buttigieg used Ms. Warren’s answer as an opening to paint her as too extreme to win a general election, reiterating a theme he has been pushing as he’s contrasted himself with Ms. Warren in recent months.Unsurprisingly, Mr. Buttigieg used Ms. Warren’s answer as an opening to paint her as too extreme to win a general election, reiterating a theme he has been pushing as he’s contrasted himself with Ms. Warren in recent months.
“We’re being offered a false choice,” he said. “You either have to go all the way to the extreme or its business as usual. We can also be smart about the promises we are making, make sure that it’s promises we can keep without the kind of taxation that economists say will hurt the economy.”“We’re being offered a false choice,” he said. “You either have to go all the way to the extreme or its business as usual. We can also be smart about the promises we are making, make sure that it’s promises we can keep without the kind of taxation that economists say will hurt the economy.”
Mr. Biden was asked how he would appeal to voters who believe the economy is doing well under President Trump, but he was the first of several Democrats who disagreed with the premise that the economy is, in fact, doing well.Mr. Biden was asked how he would appeal to voters who believe the economy is doing well under President Trump, but he was the first of several Democrats who disagreed with the premise that the economy is, in fact, doing well.
“The middle class is getting killed, the middle class is getting crushed,” Mr. Biden said.“The middle class is getting killed, the middle class is getting crushed,” Mr. Biden said.
Mr. Buttigieg agreed but also pivoted to talking about poverty.Mr. Buttigieg agreed but also pivoted to talking about poverty.
“This economy is not working for most of us, for the middle class, and I know you’re ever supposed to say ‘middle class’ and not ‘poor’ in politics, but we have to talk about poverty in this country,” he said. “There is not one county in the United States of America where someone working full-time at the minimum wage can afford a two-bedroom apartment.”“This economy is not working for most of us, for the middle class, and I know you’re ever supposed to say ‘middle class’ and not ‘poor’ in politics, but we have to talk about poverty in this country,” he said. “There is not one county in the United States of America where someone working full-time at the minimum wage can afford a two-bedroom apartment.”
Ms. Warren agreed: “I’m proud to stand on a stage with people who see that America’s middle class is being hollowed out and that working families and poor people are being left behind.”Ms. Warren agreed: “I’m proud to stand on a stage with people who see that America’s middle class is being hollowed out and that working families and poor people are being left behind.”
So did Mr. Sanders: “Today in America, we have the highest rate of childhood poverty of almost any major country on Earth.”So did Mr. Sanders: “Today in America, we have the highest rate of childhood poverty of almost any major country on Earth.”
But none of the Democrats spoke about how they would appeal to voters who do feel the economy is doing well — until Mr. Steyer, who said he could best prosecute the economic case against Mr. Trump as a job creator himself.But none of the Democrats spoke about how they would appeal to voters who do feel the economy is doing well — until Mr. Steyer, who said he could best prosecute the economic case against Mr. Trump as a job creator himself.
“I can go toe-to-toe with Mr. Trump and take him down on the economy and expose him as a fraud and a failure,” Mr. Steyer said.“I can go toe-to-toe with Mr. Trump and take him down on the economy and expose him as a fraud and a failure,” Mr. Steyer said.
The first rift of the debate came on trade policy, with Mr. Sanders saying he is opposed to the North American trade deal agreed to by the White House and Democratic House leadership, while Ms. Klobuchar said she plans to support it.The first rift of the debate came on trade policy, with Mr. Sanders saying he is opposed to the North American trade deal agreed to by the White House and Democratic House leadership, while Ms. Klobuchar said she plans to support it.
“What we need is a trade policy that stands up for workers, stands up for farmers,” Mr. Sanders said. “By the way, the word ‘Climate change,’ to the best of my knowledge, is not discussed in this new NAFTA agreement at all.”“What we need is a trade policy that stands up for workers, stands up for farmers,” Mr. Sanders said. “By the way, the word ‘Climate change,’ to the best of my knowledge, is not discussed in this new NAFTA agreement at all.”
Ms. Klobuchar followed up by gently disagreeing with Mr. Sanders. She couched herself as in league with Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, a longtime free trade skeptic, who backs the agreement.Ms. Klobuchar followed up by gently disagreeing with Mr. Sanders. She couched herself as in league with Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, a longtime free trade skeptic, who backs the agreement.
“I’ll go with my friend Sherrod Brown and he is voting for this and I am too,” Ms. Klobuchar said. “We’ve got better labor standards, better environmental standards, and a better deal when it comes to the pharmaceutical provision.”“I’ll go with my friend Sherrod Brown and he is voting for this and I am too,” Ms. Klobuchar said. “We’ve got better labor standards, better environmental standards, and a better deal when it comes to the pharmaceutical provision.”
“For those farmers in the Midwest and for those people that have been hurt by the fact that we will not have a trade segment with Mexico and with Canada and the United States, I think that this is a much better deal,” the Minnesota senator added.“For those farmers in the Midwest and for those people that have been hurt by the fact that we will not have a trade segment with Mexico and with Canada and the United States, I think that this is a much better deal,” the Minnesota senator added.
The topic of the first question to the candidates — less than 24 hours after the impeachment of President Trump — was no surprise: impeachment. The candidates were asked why more Americans were not in favor and what they would do to change that.The topic of the first question to the candidates — less than 24 hours after the impeachment of President Trump — was no surprise: impeachment. The candidates were asked why more Americans were not in favor and what they would do to change that.
Mr. Biden spoke first, calling it a “constitutional necessity” and saying the fact that Mr. Trump touted that only half of Americans supported impeachment was “dumbing down the presidency beyond what I even thought he would do.”Mr. Biden spoke first, calling it a “constitutional necessity” and saying the fact that Mr. Trump touted that only half of Americans supported impeachment was “dumbing down the presidency beyond what I even thought he would do.”
Mr. Sanders spoke next, saying some of the same lines as at past debates, including that Mr. Trump is a “pathological liar” and accusing him of “dishonoring” the office.Mr. Sanders spoke next, saying some of the same lines as at past debates, including that Mr. Trump is a “pathological liar” and accusing him of “dishonoring” the office.
Ms. Warren also called it a “constitutional moment” and quickly pivoted to her core message of corruption. “We have to prosecute the case against him and that means we need a candidate for president who can draw the sharpest distinction,” she said, echoing a frequent line from a former candidate, Senator Kamala Harris, about prosecuting a case against Mr. Trump.Ms. Warren also called it a “constitutional moment” and quickly pivoted to her core message of corruption. “We have to prosecute the case against him and that means we need a candidate for president who can draw the sharpest distinction,” she said, echoing a frequent line from a former candidate, Senator Kamala Harris, about prosecuting a case against Mr. Trump.
Ms. Klobuchar drew parallels to Watergate and President Richard Nixon, and called for Mr. Trump’s aides to testify: “If President Trump thinks he should not be impeached he should not be scared to put forward his own witnesses.”Ms. Klobuchar drew parallels to Watergate and President Richard Nixon, and called for Mr. Trump’s aides to testify: “If President Trump thinks he should not be impeached he should not be scared to put forward his own witnesses.”
Mr. Buttigieg said Mr. Trump left the House “with no choice.” Mr. Steyer noted that he had started the “Need to Impeach” movement two years ago, saying his petition “dragged Washington” toward impeachment. “The court that counts here is the court of public opinion,” he said.Mr. Buttigieg said Mr. Trump left the House “with no choice.” Mr. Steyer noted that he had started the “Need to Impeach” movement two years ago, saying his petition “dragged Washington” toward impeachment. “The court that counts here is the court of public opinion,” he said.
Mr. Yang spoke last. He said that Americans were getting their news from different sources, and that radically different media diets were a cause for different views of impeachment. But he urged his party to move on past the topic, saying forcefully it was time to “stop being obsessed over impeachment.”Mr. Yang spoke last. He said that Americans were getting their news from different sources, and that radically different media diets were a cause for different views of impeachment. But he urged his party to move on past the topic, saying forcefully it was time to “stop being obsessed over impeachment.”
The seven Democratic candidates are busily writing notes at their podiums while minimally engaging with each other. Mr. Biden, the leading candidate in many polls, is smack center stage for the first time, thanks to the odd number of debaters tonight. He is flanked by Ms. Warren and Mr. Sanders; Mr. Buttigieg is next to Ms. Warren, which could lead to some interesting moments since they have tangled the most in recent weeks.The seven Democratic candidates are busily writing notes at their podiums while minimally engaging with each other. Mr. Biden, the leading candidate in many polls, is smack center stage for the first time, thanks to the odd number of debaters tonight. He is flanked by Ms. Warren and Mr. Sanders; Mr. Buttigieg is next to Ms. Warren, which could lead to some interesting moments since they have tangled the most in recent weeks.
The former vice president still leads all the national polls and is in the strongest position in all the states that follow Iowa and New Hampshire, but he’s managed to avoid the scuffling between Mr. Buttigieg, Ms. Warren and Mr. Sanders.The former vice president still leads all the national polls and is in the strongest position in all the states that follow Iowa and New Hampshire, but he’s managed to avoid the scuffling between Mr. Buttigieg, Ms. Warren and Mr. Sanders.
Avoiding the fray could be a big help to Mr. Biden where he’s weakest — in Iowa. There’s a history there: In 2004, Gov. Howard Dean of Vermont and the House majority leader Richard Gephardt of Missouri went nuclear on each other in the final months before the caucuses. Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, who had been polling as low as 4 percent (far worse than Mr. Biden is now) slipped through to win Iowa, take New Hampshire and skate to the nomination.Avoiding the fray could be a big help to Mr. Biden where he’s weakest — in Iowa. There’s a history there: In 2004, Gov. Howard Dean of Vermont and the House majority leader Richard Gephardt of Missouri went nuclear on each other in the final months before the caucuses. Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, who had been polling as low as 4 percent (far worse than Mr. Biden is now) slipped through to win Iowa, take New Hampshire and skate to the nomination.
Watch to see if Mr. Biden steers clear of the fighting to keep himself above the fray, or injects himself to try to score points for himself.Watch to see if Mr. Biden steers clear of the fighting to keep himself above the fray, or injects himself to try to score points for himself.
The Minnesota senator used her best joke in the last debate: the one about raising $17,000 from ex-boyfriends in her first Senate race. It was funny, effective and memorable — useful traits for a candidate still introducing herself to wide swaths of the electorate.The Minnesota senator used her best joke in the last debate: the one about raising $17,000 from ex-boyfriends in her first Senate race. It was funny, effective and memorable — useful traits for a candidate still introducing herself to wide swaths of the electorate.
Now Ms. Klobuchar, who takes particular pride in her own sense of humor, is looking at one of her final chances to appear on a big stage with her leading rivals. It’s not clear yet that she’ll meet the qualifying thresholds for the January debate (they haven’t been announced yet) and the debate might get postponed anyway if the Senate impeachment trial is still ongoing Jan. 14.Now Ms. Klobuchar, who takes particular pride in her own sense of humor, is looking at one of her final chances to appear on a big stage with her leading rivals. It’s not clear yet that she’ll meet the qualifying thresholds for the January debate (they haven’t been announced yet) and the debate might get postponed anyway if the Senate impeachment trial is still ongoing Jan. 14.
Ms. Klobuchar has done whatever she can to get attention lately. After Mr. Buttigieg opened his fund-raising events to pool reporters, so did Ms. Klobuchar, though it’s not clear that anyone asked her to. There’s no candidate who could use a viral moment more and the Minnesotan is going to go all out to create one.Ms. Klobuchar has done whatever she can to get attention lately. After Mr. Buttigieg opened his fund-raising events to pool reporters, so did Ms. Klobuchar, though it’s not clear that anyone asked her to. There’s no candidate who could use a viral moment more and the Minnesotan is going to go all out to create one.
Mr. Buttigieg has been leaning hard into his spats with Mr. Sanders and Ms. Warren, looking for ways to start fights with them even when one didn’t exist.Mr. Buttigieg has been leaning hard into his spats with Mr. Sanders and Ms. Warren, looking for ways to start fights with them even when one didn’t exist.
Just look at his chat last week with Rachel Maddow — the MSNBC host gave the South Bend, Ind., mayor, a light interrogation about his tenure as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company, concluding with a question about whether he was a party to thousands of layoffs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.Just look at his chat last week with Rachel Maddow — the MSNBC host gave the South Bend, Ind., mayor, a light interrogation about his tenure as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company, concluding with a question about whether he was a party to thousands of layoffs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
Mr. Buttigieg didn’t just deflect the question, he turned it into a shot at the campaign’s leading liberals, trying to pull them into a fight they hadn’t been involved in.Mr. Buttigieg didn’t just deflect the question, he turned it into a shot at the campaign’s leading liberals, trying to pull them into a fight they hadn’t been involved in.
“There are some voices in the Democratic primary right now who are calling for a policy that would eliminate the job of every single American working at every single insurance company in the country,” Mr. Buttigieg said.“There are some voices in the Democratic primary right now who are calling for a policy that would eliminate the job of every single American working at every single insurance company in the country,” Mr. Buttigieg said.
Mr. Booker has a set speaking time during tonight’s broadcast: thirty seconds.Mr. Booker has a set speaking time during tonight’s broadcast: thirty seconds.
The senator from New Jersey failed to qualify for tonight’s debate, and is instead running his first television ad of the campaign during the broadcast.The senator from New Jersey failed to qualify for tonight’s debate, and is instead running his first television ad of the campaign during the broadcast.
“You’re only gonna see this ad once because I’m not a billionaire,” Mr. Booker says into the camera, after a jokey aside asking someone off camera if his campaign can afford this ad. “I won’t be on tonight’s debate stage, but that’s O.K. because I’m going to win this election anyway. This election isn’t about who can spend the most, or who slings the most mud. It’s about the people.”“You’re only gonna see this ad once because I’m not a billionaire,” Mr. Booker says into the camera, after a jokey aside asking someone off camera if his campaign can afford this ad. “I won’t be on tonight’s debate stage, but that’s O.K. because I’m going to win this election anyway. This election isn’t about who can spend the most, or who slings the most mud. It’s about the people.”
The ad will run in the four early states — Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina — as well as other markets like New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.The ad will run in the four early states — Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina — as well as other markets like New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.
It’s part of a new phase of Mr. Booker’s underdog candidacy to start running more aggressive advertising in the early states, both to get his poll numbers up to qualify for later debates and to help with his name recognition in a crowded field.It’s part of a new phase of Mr. Booker’s underdog candidacy to start running more aggressive advertising in the early states, both to get his poll numbers up to qualify for later debates and to help with his name recognition in a crowded field.
But Mr. Booker is only putting $500,000 behind the television and digital advertising campaign, a small amount compared to the eight-figure investments across television and digital of top campaigns, and well behind the more than $120 million that the billionaire Michael R. Bloomberg is spending on television and digital advertising.But Mr. Booker is only putting $500,000 behind the television and digital advertising campaign, a small amount compared to the eight-figure investments across television and digital of top campaigns, and well behind the more than $120 million that the billionaire Michael R. Bloomberg is spending on television and digital advertising.
Mr. Bloomberg also will not be on the debate stage, because his campaign is not accepting donations and therefore would never qualify for the 200,000 individual donor threshold set by the Democratic National Committee.Mr. Bloomberg also will not be on the debate stage, because his campaign is not accepting donations and therefore would never qualify for the 200,000 individual donor threshold set by the Democratic National Committee.
But the Bloomberg campaign said it will have a steady presence on television during the debate broadcast, and is rolling out a new ad featuring a speech Mr. Bloomberg gave about leadership that will also have a presence on YouTube’s home page.But the Bloomberg campaign said it will have a steady presence on television during the debate broadcast, and is rolling out a new ad featuring a speech Mr. Bloomberg gave about leadership that will also have a presence on YouTube’s home page.
“People notice how you comport yourself and they listen to what you say,” Mr. Bloomberg says in the ad, referring to his 12 years as mayor of New York City. “If you are duplicitous, it sends a signal that being duplicitous is ok. If you are racist, it sends a signal that being racist is ok.”“People notice how you comport yourself and they listen to what you say,” Mr. Bloomberg says in the ad, referring to his 12 years as mayor of New York City. “If you are duplicitous, it sends a signal that being duplicitous is ok. If you are racist, it sends a signal that being racist is ok.”
Mr. Bloomberg’s campaign did not say how much the new ads, or the YouTube presence, would cost. But it’s likely a bit more than what Mr. Booker spent.Mr. Bloomberg’s campaign did not say how much the new ads, or the YouTube presence, would cost. But it’s likely a bit more than what Mr. Booker spent.
They began camping up on a hip stretch of Fairfax Avenue at dawn, the line stretching around the block, the air redolent with the smell of marijuana (legal, after all, in California). They were there to catch a glimpse of Mr. Yang and Donald Glover, a.k.a. Childish Gambino, who offered his official endorsement to Mr. Yang on Wednesday.They began camping up on a hip stretch of Fairfax Avenue at dawn, the line stretching around the block, the air redolent with the smell of marijuana (legal, after all, in California). They were there to catch a glimpse of Mr. Yang and Donald Glover, a.k.a. Childish Gambino, who offered his official endorsement to Mr. Yang on Wednesday.
Alas, Mr. Glover stayed hidden, meeting with Mr. Yang privately in the back of the pop-up store inside of Tried and True Premium Vintage.Alas, Mr. Glover stayed hidden, meeting with Mr. Yang privately in the back of the pop-up store inside of Tried and True Premium Vintage.
“He’s here, but he hates y’all,” the Yang campaign manager Zach Graumann told reporters. Mr. Graumann said the campaign would post its own photos of the Yang-Glover summit.“He’s here, but he hates y’all,” the Yang campaign manager Zach Graumann told reporters. Mr. Graumann said the campaign would post its own photos of the Yang-Glover summit.
Instead of seeing Mr. Yang dance to “This is America,” as some hoped, the crowd had a different opportunity: a chance to nab a $1,000 hoodie autographed by Mr. Yang and Mr. Glover.Instead of seeing Mr. Yang dance to “This is America,” as some hoped, the crowd had a different opportunity: a chance to nab a $1,000 hoodie autographed by Mr. Yang and Mr. Glover.
The hoodies were emblazoned with a golden “$1K,” the same amount of money Mr. Yang has pledged to distribute monthly under his universal basic income program, the signature of his presidential campaign.The hoodies were emblazoned with a golden “$1K,” the same amount of money Mr. Yang has pledged to distribute monthly under his universal basic income program, the signature of his presidential campaign.
So, one enterprising reporter asked, would a $1,000 hoodie be a good use of such income?So, one enterprising reporter asked, would a $1,000 hoodie be a good use of such income?
“The great thing about the freedom dividend is that people will be able to use it as they see fit,” Mr. Yang replied. “Americans know best how to solve their own problems.”“The great thing about the freedom dividend is that people will be able to use it as they see fit,” Mr. Yang replied. “Americans know best how to solve their own problems.”
(What problem a $1,000 piece of clothing solved was unclear.)(What problem a $1,000 piece of clothing solved was unclear.)
Asked about the smaller debate stage Thursday Mr. Yang said: “I have done the math — if you have seven candidates instead of 10 that means my speaking time will go up by about 50 percent.”Asked about the smaller debate stage Thursday Mr. Yang said: “I have done the math — if you have seven candidates instead of 10 that means my speaking time will go up by about 50 percent.”
One thing about campaign fund-raising: It’s not always pretty to look at.One thing about campaign fund-raising: It’s not always pretty to look at.
After Mr. Buttigieg got shamed by Ms. Warren into opening his fund-raisers to pool reporters and releasing a list of his bundlers (one that his campaign had to amend after failing to include a couple dozen people on it), he stopped Sunday to dine with donors in Napa Valley on the way to Los Angeles.After Mr. Buttigieg got shamed by Ms. Warren into opening his fund-raisers to pool reporters and releasing a list of his bundlers (one that his campaign had to amend after failing to include a couple dozen people on it), he stopped Sunday to dine with donors in Napa Valley on the way to Los Angeles.
When Recode’s Teddy Schleifer tweeted photos of the plated dinner for 34 in a wine cave under a chandelier with 1,500 Swarovski crystals, the image went viral fast.When Recode’s Teddy Schleifer tweeted photos of the plated dinner for 34 in a wine cave under a chandelier with 1,500 Swarovski crystals, the image went viral fast.
Within five hours Mr. Sanders had the tweet in a fund-raising appeal, asking “Can you help Bernie match Pete’s wine cave fund-raiser.” Ms. Warren’s chief strategist mocked it in promoting a contest to get a beer with his candidate, “though not in a gilded wine cave full of crystals, probably just at her house or a local pub or something.”Within five hours Mr. Sanders had the tweet in a fund-raising appeal, asking “Can you help Bernie match Pete’s wine cave fund-raiser.” Ms. Warren’s chief strategist mocked it in promoting a contest to get a beer with his candidate, “though not in a gilded wine cave full of crystals, probably just at her house or a local pub or something.”
For Ms. Warren and Mr. Sanders, who don’t hold closed-door, big-dollar fund-raising events, this is as close to a free shot at Mr. Buttigieg as they’ll get. Expect them to take it.For Ms. Warren and Mr. Sanders, who don’t hold closed-door, big-dollar fund-raising events, this is as close to a free shot at Mr. Buttigieg as they’ll get. Expect them to take it.
Deval Patrick, a latecomer to the race for the Democratic nomination who did not qualify for Thursday’s debate stage, instead used the day to issue a broad policy platform he called “Renewing the American Dream for Everyone Everywhere.”Deval Patrick, a latecomer to the race for the Democratic nomination who did not qualify for Thursday’s debate stage, instead used the day to issue a broad policy platform he called “Renewing the American Dream for Everyone Everywhere.”
As a child of poverty on Chicago’s South Side who achieved success in business and government, Mr. Patrick, the former two-term Massachusetts governor, wrote that he had lived the American dream, but he believes it has become elusive.As a child of poverty on Chicago’s South Side who achieved success in business and government, Mr. Patrick, the former two-term Massachusetts governor, wrote that he had lived the American dream, but he believes it has become elusive.
“Over the years, we’ve seen the American dream grow further and further out of reach for more and more Americans in more and more places,” wrote Mr. Patrick, who was the second black elected governor in United States history.“Over the years, we’ve seen the American dream grow further and further out of reach for more and more Americans in more and more places,” wrote Mr. Patrick, who was the second black elected governor in United States history.
The 10-page document posted on Medium by Mr. Patrick describes how his administration would promote equal opportunity — proposing what would amount to a large-scale rewrite of the policies of the Trump White House, albeit a more moderate version than some of his opponents have promoted.The 10-page document posted on Medium by Mr. Patrick describes how his administration would promote equal opportunity — proposing what would amount to a large-scale rewrite of the policies of the Trump White House, albeit a more moderate version than some of his opponents have promoted.
Among specifics: free education from pre-K through the first two years of college, a simplified tax law that counts all income as earned income, major investments in infrastructure and expansion of a “public option” under the existing Affordable Care Act.Among specifics: free education from pre-K through the first two years of college, a simplified tax law that counts all income as earned income, major investments in infrastructure and expansion of a “public option” under the existing Affordable Care Act.
Also, Mr. Patrick promises not to conduct foreign policy “over Twitter, impulsively and without advice or a plan.”Also, Mr. Patrick promises not to conduct foreign policy “over Twitter, impulsively and without advice or a plan.”
Mr. Biden will release a list of the financial bundlers who raise money for him, a senior campaign official said on Thursday afternoon, explaining that information would be “forthcoming” but declining to share a date. The remarks came during a briefing with reporters hours before the debate, which was held on condition of anonymity for the senior campaign officials in attendance.Mr. Biden will release a list of the financial bundlers who raise money for him, a senior campaign official said on Thursday afternoon, explaining that information would be “forthcoming” but declining to share a date. The remarks came during a briefing with reporters hours before the debate, which was held on condition of anonymity for the senior campaign officials in attendance.
The issue of transparency in campaign fund-raising has been a flash point in the Democratic primary this month, as Ms. Warren and other liberals criticized Mr. Buttigieg over holding private fund-raisers. Mr. Buttigieg went on to open his fund-raisers to coverage by the news media and to release a list of his own bundlers.The issue of transparency in campaign fund-raising has been a flash point in the Democratic primary this month, as Ms. Warren and other liberals criticized Mr. Buttigieg over holding private fund-raisers. Mr. Buttigieg went on to open his fund-raisers to coverage by the news media and to release a list of his own bundlers.
The senior campaign officials also discussed Mr. Biden’s debate message, saying that he was focused on encouraging voters to consider three questions: which candidate stands the best chance to beat Mr. Trump, which candidate can help “flip the Senate and build on our majority in the House” of Representatives and which candidate has the experience to bring the country together and offer “steady leadership.”The senior campaign officials also discussed Mr. Biden’s debate message, saying that he was focused on encouraging voters to consider three questions: which candidate stands the best chance to beat Mr. Trump, which candidate can help “flip the Senate and build on our majority in the House” of Representatives and which candidate has the experience to bring the country together and offer “steady leadership.”
Of course, whether Mr. Biden — who has struggled in previous debates — will remain on message is always an open question.Of course, whether Mr. Biden — who has struggled in previous debates — will remain on message is always an open question.
Mr. Trump’s re-election campaign on Thursday night announced it was launching a new group, “Democrats for Trump,” with the goal of wooing “disaffected Democrats” who oppose impeachment and “radical big government socialist policies.”Mr. Trump’s re-election campaign on Thursday night announced it was launching a new group, “Democrats for Trump,” with the goal of wooing “disaffected Democrats” who oppose impeachment and “radical big government socialist policies.”
The group was launched hours before the final Democratic debate of the year was set to kick off in Los Angeles and it mirrored a similar cross-the-aisle push that the Hillary Clinton campaign made during the 2016 election when it launched “Republicans for Hillary.”The group was launched hours before the final Democratic debate of the year was set to kick off in Los Angeles and it mirrored a similar cross-the-aisle push that the Hillary Clinton campaign made during the 2016 election when it launched “Republicans for Hillary.”
But in that case, there was an organic move afoot of Republicans deserting their party’s nominee. This time around, the Democrats have yet to settle on their party’s nominee. And it’s not clear exactly which Democrats are looking to peel off from the party to support Mr. Trump. At 86 percent, according to a recent Gallup poll, Mr. Trump’s approval rating remains high among Republicans. But his approval rating, according to the same poll, is at only 8 percent among Democrats.But in that case, there was an organic move afoot of Republicans deserting their party’s nominee. This time around, the Democrats have yet to settle on their party’s nominee. And it’s not clear exactly which Democrats are looking to peel off from the party to support Mr. Trump. At 86 percent, according to a recent Gallup poll, Mr. Trump’s approval rating remains high among Republicans. But his approval rating, according to the same poll, is at only 8 percent among Democrats.
As for those Democrats who oppose impeachment, it appeared that Mr. Trump’s campaign manager, Brad Parscale, was making an appeal to a very small group of voters. About 85 percent of Democratic voters widely support impeachment and Mr. Trump’s removal from office, according to the Gallup poll conducted between Dec. 2 and Dec. 15.As for those Democrats who oppose impeachment, it appeared that Mr. Trump’s campaign manager, Brad Parscale, was making an appeal to a very small group of voters. About 85 percent of Democratic voters widely support impeachment and Mr. Trump’s removal from office, according to the Gallup poll conducted between Dec. 2 and Dec. 15.
“For Democrats who feel abandoned by the socialist radicalization of their party, there is room for you on Team Trump and we welcome you to join the movement and a president that are putting America first,” Mr. Parscale said in a statement.“For Democrats who feel abandoned by the socialist radicalization of their party, there is room for you on Team Trump and we welcome you to join the movement and a president that are putting America first,” Mr. Parscale said in a statement.
The coalition appeared to be the latest in a series of aspirational groups the Trump campaign has launched in order to expand the president’s coalition of voters, including “Black Voices for Trump” and “Latinos for Trump.”The coalition appeared to be the latest in a series of aspirational groups the Trump campaign has launched in order to expand the president’s coalition of voters, including “Black Voices for Trump” and “Latinos for Trump.”
It is not yet clear whether those groups will result in expanding Mr. Trump’s meager support among minorities, or whether the goal was in a large part to reassure suburban white voters discomfited by the president’s use of racist tropes.It is not yet clear whether those groups will result in expanding Mr. Trump’s meager support among minorities, or whether the goal was in a large part to reassure suburban white voters discomfited by the president’s use of racist tropes.
In this case, the goal seemed to appeal to moderate voters by painting the entire Democratic field taking the debate stage as a group of far left socialists.In this case, the goal seemed to appeal to moderate voters by painting the entire Democratic field taking the debate stage as a group of far left socialists.
Stephanie Saul, Nick Corasaniti, Katie Glueck, Annie Karni, Jennifer Medina and Isabella Grullon Paz contributed reporting. Stephanie Saul, Nick Corasaniti, Katie Glueck, Annie Karni and Jennifer Medina contributed reporting.