The Story
Last night, Americans were glued to the TV, rooting for their favorites.
No "Bachelorette" spoilers, please.
We're actually talking about the Democratic debates but that's cool. There are still a million (read: 25) Dem candidates running. The frontrunners in the race right now are former VP Joe Biden, followed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
So which ones showed up last night?
Warren and Sanders...plus eight others. 20 candidates qualified for the second round of debates (which, like last time, are split up into two nights). But the rules are about to get tougher for the third debate in September, so enjoy the large groups while we have 'em.
K, get to the good stuff. What happened last night?
A couple of big moments. Let's talk about the standouts...
The big faceoff...progressives v moderates. Some expected the debate to be a Sanders v Warren faceoff – but the two refused to play. Instead, moderates like former Maryland Rep. John Delaney, Gov. Steve Bullock (D-MT), and former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper teamed up to suggest progressives like Sanders and Warren are too extreme to be electable. Topics that divided people: whether to decriminalize the border, whether the Green New Deal was realistic, and what to do about health care. On that note…
Hot topic alert...health care. Candidates spent a lot of time arguing about whether Medicare for All – aka government-run health insurance for all Americans – is a viable option. Some think it's necessary, while others like the idea of a public option (where people could opt in to gov insurance or stick to private). Warren skirted around whether the middle class would have to pay more in taxes for Medicare for All. On the topic, Sanders drove a lot of the conversation since he "wrote the damn bill." He also wants to remind you that Medicare turned 54 yesterday. Send birthday gifts to Capitol Hill.
Allow me to reintroduce myself...my name is Marianne. Self-help guru Marianne Williamson had her practice debate run back in June, but stepped it up last night. She spoke out fiercely against what happened in Flint, acknowledging that a crisis like that wouldn't have happened in an affluent community. And that it will continue to happen if we don't address the underlying cause: racial and economic disparity. She pushed back against characterizations that reparations are "financial assistance," instead calling them a "debt that is owed." And came with receipts to back up how she got to her estimate for them.
Don't forget us...aka everyone else on the stage. South Bend, IN Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D) wants constitutional reform, brought up the problem of gun violence in his community, and put into context how long the war in Afghanistan has gone on. Delaney got more screen time than he was probably expecting. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) was peak pragmatist, saying ideas like Medicare for All and free college probably won't work in reality. Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) is accepting job applications for chief manufacturing officer. Former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke reminded everyone of his Senate loss by calling Texas a "battleground state." Bullock (aka the new guy at the debate) wants to crack down on the influence of money in politics. And Hickenlooper was just grateful to be there.
And we're doing another round of this tonight?
Yep. 10 more candidates take the stage in Detroit. Expect candidates to pile on Biden. He says he'll be ready for the fight this time.
Did Trump watch?
Not sure, he hasn't tweeted about it. That could be because he's busy thinking about California. Yesterday, the state's governor signed a bill that requires all presidential candidates to release their tax returns...or they won't be on the primary ballot in March. You can guess who the bill may or may not be targeting. Bet Bill Weld (R) isn't mad about it.
theSkimm
Last night's debate was a clear example of what the Democratic Party's shift to the left looks like in reality. Progressives are trying to make sweeping changes to health care and education. Moderates are trying to win over Trump voters and put more money in the hands of the middle class. Over the next few months, we'll see what Democratic ideals come out on top. Now...let's do this all over again tonight.
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