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Democratic debate: Sanders and Clinton face off in South Carolina – live updates Democratic debate: Sanders and Clinton clash on guns and healthcare – live
(35 minutes later)
3.09am GMT
03:09
Richard Wolffe
From Guardian US columnist Richard Wolffe:
It says a lot about the mood of the Democratic party that the most feisty part of the debate – a veritable three-way cage fight – came at the one-hour mark, in response to questions about regulating Wall St.
Sanders got progressively closer to saying that Clinton was bought by Goldman Sachs, and, by the end of the exchange, he argued that the former secretary of state was paid $600,000 in one year’s speaking fees from the investment bank.
Clinton was more than prepared for the attack, turning the fire back on Sanders for criticizing President Obama for his crackdown on Wall Street, and pointing out Sanders own votes for deregulation.
O’Malley condemned them both, using the strange idea that not regulating Wall Street was like slapping a bank robber on the wrist. There was just enough confusion and competing claims to make all three Democrats sound like they loathed capitalism.
3.07am GMT
03:07
So what about taxes. Clinton goes first.
I’m the only candidate on this stage who has said I will not raise taxes on the middle class. I want to raise incomes, not taxes.
She says “the wealthy [will] pay for debt-free tuition, for childcare, for paid family leave, to help us bring down student debt we’re going to refinance debt … that will also come out of the pockets of some of the people of the financial industry.
Sanders goes back to his healthcare plan, saying that any marginal tax increase will be offset – and then some – by the elimination of private health insurance premiums
“If I save you in 12,000 in private health insurance,” he says, and then asks an American to pay a little more in taxes, “there are huge savings.”
O’Malley says we can do wonders by getting rid of just one “entitlement that the super wealthy among us” enjoy: “a much lower marginal tax rate”.
Moderator Lester Holt doesn’t really want to hear it. He breaks away to commercial.
3.02am GMT
03:02
O’Malley criticizes Clinton for her “cozy relationship with Wall Street”, and Sanders piles on, citing her huge speaking fees for Goldman Sachs – and how none of those financial executives served any jail time for the 2008 crisis.
Not one of their executives is prosecuted while kids who smoke marijuana [get] jail time.
Clinton says everybody’s got skeletons, more or less.
There’s plenty of problems that we all have to face together. And the final thing I’ll say is we’re having a vigorous debate about regulating Wall Street [that] the Republicans aren’t having!
It’s a proper debate. They’re emotional, and want to target discrete sections of Wall Street for regulation – and for Sanders/O’Malley, maybe outright prosecution.
2.59am GMT
02:59
Sanders and Clinton field a question about the influence of Wall Street on popular Democrats, including a certain former secretary of state who was not named in a certain Sanders campaign ad for her links to banks.
Sanders: “You gotta bring back the 20th century Glass-Steagal legislation and you’ve got to break up these institutions. They have too much economic power.”
He invokes Republican president Teddy Roosevelt: “What he would say is these guys are too powerful, break them up. I believe that’s what the American people want to see.”
Then he hints at his doubts regarding Clinton: “I have doubts when people receive huge amounts of money from Wall Street. … I do not want Wall Street’s money, I will rely on the middle class.”
Clinton turns the debate into an unpopularity contest: who can be most disliked by finance guys. “I have a plan that most commentators is tougher and more effective and comprehensive,” she says.
O’Malley interrupts: “That’s not true”
Clinton :”Yes it is. It builds on the Dodd-Frank regulatory scheme…”
O’Malley, quietly: “Oh come on.”
Clinton says she would go after the financial institutions, the successors of Lehman Brothers, etc, who “were as big a problem as what caused the great recession”. She says there are “hedge fund billionaires who are running ads against me”, and finishes with a bit of sarcasm: “Sure thing, I’m the one they don’t want.”
2.54am GMT
02:54
Jeb Lund
From Guardian US columnist Jeb Lund:
I appreciate that the networks want to do things to rope in younger viewers – especially as their primary demographic, senior citizens, is about to die off in droves.
But, look, questions from YouTube vloggers is at best gimmicky. Getting millions of subscribers on YouTube doesn’t bespeak any wisdom or command of a movement of followers. At the very least, it means that you’re willing to regularly mumble “ASMR” videos. Or regularly get yourself rocked in the junk with whiffle bats in elaborately staged SLAPNUTS videos. Or wear very little clothing and be above 18 but look like you’re not.
We might as well take questions from Vine stars. Do you know what Vine stars are like? For one thing, they’re not indicative of anything other than the absurdity of social media fame. For another, some of them are this guy. (Read it; it’s utterly transcendent.)
2.52am GMT
02:52
Adam Gabbatt
Commercial break with Adam Gabbatt and ultra-conservative celebrity/once-failed presidential candidate Rick Santorum.
I met Rick Santorum in Charlotte airport this evening. We were waiting for the same flight to Des Moines.
I was sitting down opposite him but didn’t recognize him at first as I was eating a big bag of M&M’s. Then I realized it was him and started staring at him. He looked quite smart. The sweater vest of 2012 had been discarded. He was wearing a blue blazer and a white and blue plaid shirt. He looked tan and he was wearing nice glasses.
Santorum was watching the football - Steelers - Broncos - on his iPad and was pleased because the Steelers were doing well. He had the volume playing out loud which I thought was a bit inconsiderate but no one seemed to kind.
I was starstruck and went over to ask if I could have a photo taken with him. He said yes but told me to get a move on because he wanted to watch the game. I got a man to take a photo of us. I noticed he was wearing brown cowboy boots.
I’d sat back down and was choosing my Instagram filter when I realised I hadn’t actually asked him anything about his campaign.
Santorum was up and waiting to board by this time, but I grabbed him on the plane. He was in first class, still watching the Steelers. “My boss would kill me if I’d met you and all I’d done was taken a selfie,” I told him. “What do you think of your chances in Iowa?”
He didn’t exude confidence.
“All I can tell you is we’re gonna run it through the finish line,” he said of his campaign.
“I feel like we’re gonna surprise a few people,” he added.
…thank you, Adam. And here’s that Santorselfie once again. For posterity.
Updated
at 3.06am GMT
2.49am GMT
02:49
Megan Carpentier
During the commercial break, have a look at the internal dialogues on the Democratic debate stage, courtesy of @Darth:
#DemDebate pic.twitter.com/clqTMRJMZ3
#DemDebate pic.twitter.com/C7OiOSdutw
#DemDebate pic.twitter.com/5po801L85b
#DemDebate pic.twitter.com/UQNhPX5rNp
2.47am GMT
02:47
A 23-year-old “video blogger” gets a question to Clinton. How will you woo me and my fellow millennials, he asks.
Clinton says she wants to make community college free, and to allow for debt-free tuition at public universities.
“We have to pull young people and older people together,” she says. “Turning over our White House to the Republicans would be bad for everybody, especially young people.”
Paraphrasing: turn out to Clinton, young ‘uns, or fear the next Republican president.
Updated
at 2.49am GMT
2.45am GMT
02:45
“Congress is owned by big money, and refuses to do what the American people want them to do,” says Sanders, after a question about Barack Obama’s final state of the union address.
Minimum wage, higher taxes for the wealthy, making Congress accountable.
He spins the question into campaign finance: “The Democratic party needs major reform … instead of being dependent on Super Pacs, what we need is to be dependent on small, individual campaign contributors.”
Clinton answered a similar question by saying she’s got the experience to know what Obama was talking about, ie the challenges of working with the opposing party and international powers such as Russia and China.
Sanders then steals the show a bit from O’Malley, going on about the power of “a handful of billionaires”.
2.44am GMT
02:44
Megan Carpentier
From Guardian US opinion editor Megan Carpentier:
When asked how she is going to bring the country together if President Obama couldn’t, Hillary Clinton got into some times when she cooperated with people who don’t think like her – or, you know, like her at all.
The real question is why it’s the job of the president to get people to like her. If, as the Republican-controlled Congress has demonstrated time and again, they’re willing to let personal enmity (or the political necessity of demonstrated personal enmity) get in the way of governing the country, that’s hardly the fault of the president. Not everyone is going to like everyone.
Or, if you’re Bernie Sanders (as he pointed out in his answer), the real question is why Congress won’t do the bidding of the American people, and the answer is lobbyists and big campaign funders.
2.40am GMT
02:40
The healthcare debate powers on.
Clinton reiterates that she doesn’t want to start from scratch with a new debate about healthcare.
Sanders says what the heck, he does want to build on it – by a lot. He says it’s about fighting the moneyed interests (this is something of a theme with the senator).
It’s [about] when do we have the guts to stand up to the private insurance companies and all of their money and the pharmaceutical industry?
Clinton says that her plan is “really simple”: make Obama’s Affordable Care Act more cost-effective/cheaper for Americans.
Let’s make it work, let’s take the models that states are doing … Now we’ve got to get individual costs down.
2.37am GMT
02:37
Jeb Lund
From Guardian US columnist Jeb Lund:
Bernie Sanders just gave the best possible rebuttal to Clinton’s attacks on his healthcare plan and her campaign’s disingenuous claims that he would dismantle healthcare in America – and he did it in about as detailed a way as possible in these brief spans of time.
Her only response was to invoke Obamacare and imply again that Sanders would tear it up and try to tie him to some kind of vague disrespect of President Obama. If this is Clinton trying to dig herself out of the ugliness of this past week, it looks a lot like the ugliness of the last week.
2.36am GMT
02:36
Moderator Andrea Mitchell asks Clinton and Sanders about healthcare.
Recap: Clinton says Sanders’ healthcare plan would dismantle Obama’s healthcare plan. Sanders says no way it’d work fine because everybody would have it/pay taxes for it.
Clinton starts off by talking up her own history supporting healthcare reform, goes through Harry Truman and others, and concludes:
We finally have a path to universal healthcare, we’ve accomplished so much already. I don’t want to see us start over again with a contentious debate. I want us to defend and build the Affordalbe Care Act and improve it.”
Sanders jumps in: “Secretary Clinton didn’t answer your question.”
He says that the Clinton campaign has tried to tar and feather him with the suggestion that “He wants to end Medicare, end Medicaid … that is nonsense!”
Sanders says that he’s in the tradition of Truman and FDR in the belief that healthcare is a right for “every man, woman and child”.
I’m on the committee that wrote the Affordable Care Act. … I voted for it. But right now what we have to deal with is that 29 million people still have no health insurance. We are paying the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs and still getting ripped off.
As for costs, he says his plan would lower it “by 5,000 bucks” for most families.
Clinton gets a soundbite: “Are we talking about the plan you introduced tonight or the plan you introduced nine times in Congress?”
2.34am GMT2.34am GMT
02:3402:34
From Guardian US columnist Richard Wolffe:From Guardian US columnist Richard Wolffe:
At the first bathroom break, the points were with Clinton, with Sanders struggling to make his case and O’Malley doing a decent job of getting people to recognize him in a crowd.At the first bathroom break, the points were with Clinton, with Sanders struggling to make his case and O’Malley doing a decent job of getting people to recognize him in a crowd.
Clinton landde punches on Sanders’ votes on guns, and Sanders showed little desire to counterpunch. Sanders delivered more crowd-pleasing lines with indignation against the wealthy, the bankers who triggered the financial collapse and the entire drugs industry.Clinton landde punches on Sanders’ votes on guns, and Sanders showed little desire to counterpunch. Sanders delivered more crowd-pleasing lines with indignation against the wealthy, the bankers who triggered the financial collapse and the entire drugs industry.
O’Malley reminded everyone he was mayor of Baltimore. Biography may be everything, but the getting-to-know-you phase is surely over, just two weeks before the Iowa caucus.O’Malley reminded everyone he was mayor of Baltimore. Biography may be everything, but the getting-to-know-you phase is surely over, just two weeks before the Iowa caucus.
2.27am GMT2.27am GMT
02:2702:27
Richard WolffeRichard Wolffe
From Guardian US columnist Richard Wolffe:From Guardian US columnist Richard Wolffe:
NBC News set up the first dangerous crossfire on gun safety legislation. After a sleepy opening about jobs and wages, moderator Lester Holt zinged Bernie Sanders on his new reversal on immunity for gun-makers. Sanders did his best to avoid the question by talking at length about his D- rating from the NRA.NBC News set up the first dangerous crossfire on gun safety legislation. After a sleepy opening about jobs and wages, moderator Lester Holt zinged Bernie Sanders on his new reversal on immunity for gun-makers. Sanders did his best to avoid the question by talking at length about his D- rating from the NRA.
Sadly all his answer did was tee up Clinton for an easy barrage against Sanders on the pro-gun lobby votes he didn’t talk about. This is the challenge of policy reversals before debates: you’re just making the moderators’ jobs that much easier.Sadly all his answer did was tee up Clinton for an easy barrage against Sanders on the pro-gun lobby votes he didn’t talk about. This is the challenge of policy reversals before debates: you’re just making the moderators’ jobs that much easier.
2.27am GMT2.27am GMT
02:2702:27
Clinton’s asked about the opioid/heroin addiction crisis that’s hit parts of New England and the south particularly hard.Clinton’s asked about the opioid/heroin addiction crisis that’s hit parts of New England and the south particularly hard.
She says she would put a couple million federal dollars into tackling the issue, and that “the policing needs to change.” She wants police and firefighters to carry “the antidote to a heroin overdose or an opioid overdose”.She says she would put a couple million federal dollars into tackling the issue, and that “the policing needs to change.” She wants police and firefighters to carry “the antidote to a heroin overdose or an opioid overdose”.
Without outright saying that the war on drugs has failed, she concedes: “We need to move away from treating the use of drugs as a crime and instead move it to where it belongs as a health issue.”Without outright saying that the war on drugs has failed, she concedes: “We need to move away from treating the use of drugs as a crime and instead move it to where it belongs as a health issue.”
Sanders jumps in to say she’s right about how Americans need to think about addiction as a disease and not a crime – and segues a little awkwardly into his pitch for universal healthcare.Sanders jumps in to say she’s right about how Americans need to think about addiction as a disease and not a crime – and segues a little awkwardly into his pitch for universal healthcare.
Lester Holtz cuts off O’Malley mid-plea for “just 10 seconds”. Commercial break! Lester Holt cuts off O’Malley mid-plea for “just 10 seconds”. Commercial break!
Updated
at 3.07am GMT
2.24am GMT2.24am GMT
02:2402:24
A voter gets a question in about the conflict of interest between prosecutors and police in cases of police shootings.A voter gets a question in about the conflict of interest between prosecutors and police in cases of police shootings.
Sanders answers first: “This is a responsibility of the US Justice Department to get involved. Whenever anybody in this country is killed in police custody it should automatically trigger a US attorney general investigation.”Sanders answers first: “This is a responsibility of the US Justice Department to get involved. Whenever anybody in this country is killed in police custody it should automatically trigger a US attorney general investigation.”
He says that it a police officer breaks the law they’ve got to be held accountable. He also wants to “demilitarize police departments so they don’t look like occupying armies” and instead “look like the communities they serve in their diversity”.He says that it a police officer breaks the law they’ve got to be held accountable. He also wants to “demilitarize police departments so they don’t look like occupying armies” and instead “look like the communities they serve in their diversity”.
2.20am GMT2.20am GMT
02:2002:20
Clinton: 'systemic racism in criminal justice'Clinton: 'systemic racism in criminal justice'
Clinton gets a question about the police killings of black Americans around the country.Clinton gets a question about the police killings of black Americans around the country.
“It has been heartbreaking,” she says, “to see the constant stories of young men like Walter Scott” and others killed by police.“It has been heartbreaking,” she says, “to see the constant stories of young men like Walter Scott” and others killed by police.
She says there’s “systemic racism in our criminal justice system and that requires a very clear agenda for retraining police officers, looking at ways to end racial profiling, finding more ways to really bring the disparities that stalk our country into high relief. One out of three African American men may well end up going to prison. That’s the statistic.”She says there’s “systemic racism in our criminal justice system and that requires a very clear agenda for retraining police officers, looking at ways to end racial profiling, finding more ways to really bring the disparities that stalk our country into high relief. One out of three African American men may well end up going to prison. That’s the statistic.”
“What we would be doing if it was one out of three white men,” she asks the crowd.“What we would be doing if it was one out of three white men,” she asks the crowd.
The moderator tries to redirect but Sanders doesn’t let him: “we have a criminal justice system that is broken.”The moderator tries to redirect but Sanders doesn’t let him: “we have a criminal justice system that is broken.”
“Who in America is satisfied” with the criminal justice system, he asks, when it incarcerates more people than China.“Who in America is satisfied” with the criminal justice system, he asks, when it incarcerates more people than China.
“Who is satisfied that 51% of African American young people are either unemployed or underemployed,” he goes on, showing off his own statistics.“Who is satisfied that 51% of African American young people are either unemployed or underemployed,” he goes on, showing off his own statistics.
The he turns it into something of a stump speech, asking “who is satisfied that million of people have police records … while the CEOs of Wall Street companies who destroyed our economy have no [records]?”The he turns it into something of a stump speech, asking “who is satisfied that million of people have police records … while the CEOs of Wall Street companies who destroyed our economy have no [records]?”
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.30am GMTat 2.30am GMT
2.18am GMT2.18am GMT
02:1802:18
Jeb LundJeb Lund
From Guardian US columnist Jeb Lund:From Guardian US columnist Jeb Lund:
The trouble with Martin O’Malley opening the debate with far more specificity in his answers than either Clinton or Sanders’ vaguely aspirational openers is that it’s far more glaring when he runs back to convenient anecdotes and evasive, emotive waffling in the face of difficult questions, as he did when called on to explain what he would say to people worried that he might take away their guns.The trouble with Martin O’Malley opening the debate with far more specificity in his answers than either Clinton or Sanders’ vaguely aspirational openers is that it’s far more glaring when he runs back to convenient anecdotes and evasive, emotive waffling in the face of difficult questions, as he did when called on to explain what he would say to people worried that he might take away their guns.
The sad thing is that there is safety and benefit in being facile. Call it the Being There quotient.The sad thing is that there is safety and benefit in being facile. Call it the Being There quotient.
2.16am GMT2.16am GMT
02:1602:16
Sanders: 'gun critique is disingenuous'Sanders: 'gun critique is disingenuous'
The candidates then get a question about gun control, and Sanders immediately says that Clinton’s attacks on him are “disingenuous”.The candidates then get a question about gun control, and Sanders immediately says that Clinton’s attacks on him are “disingenuous”.
He says that he supports a ban on assault-style and closing gunshow loopholes, and that he’s always had a D-minus rating from the NRA. He then alludes to the gunman who killed nine people in Charleston last summer.He says that he supports a ban on assault-style and closing gunshow loopholes, and that he’s always had a D-minus rating from the NRA. He then alludes to the gunman who killed nine people in Charleston last summer.
“We have seen in this city a horrendous tragedy, of a crazed person praying” and then killing people, he says. “This should not be a political issue, what we should be doing is working together.”“We have seen in this city a horrendous tragedy, of a crazed person praying” and then killing people, he says. “This should not be a political issue, what we should be doing is working together.”
He adds that “as a senator from a rural state” with virtually no gun control, “I believe I am in an excellent position to bring people together to fight for gun control.”He adds that “as a senator from a rural state” with virtually no gun control, “I believe I am in an excellent position to bring people together to fight for gun control.”
Clinton doesn’t back down: “He has voted with the gun lobby, with the NRA, numerous times.”Clinton doesn’t back down: “He has voted with the gun lobby, with the NRA, numerous times.”
She says Sanders voted against the Brady campaign foive times, voted “for what we now call the Charleston loophole” – a rule that helped the Charleston shooter get a gun when he otherwise would have been barred one.She says Sanders voted against the Brady campaign foive times, voted “for what we now call the Charleston loophole” – a rule that helped the Charleston shooter get a gun when he otherwise would have been barred one.
“Let’s not forget what this is about. Ninety people a day die from gun violence in our country, that’s 33,000 people a year … one of the most horrific examples, not a block from here, where we had nine people murdered.”“Let’s not forget what this is about. Ninety people a day die from gun violence in our country, that’s 33,000 people a year … one of the most horrific examples, not a block from here, where we had nine people murdered.”
“I am pleased to hear that senator Sanders has reversed his position on immunity,” she continues, turning toward the gun industry. “There is no other industry in America that was given the total pass that the gun makers and dealers were and that needs to be reversed.”“I am pleased to hear that senator Sanders has reversed his position on immunity,” she continues, turning toward the gun industry. “There is no other industry in America that was given the total pass that the gun makers and dealers were and that needs to be reversed.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.29am GMTat 2.29am GMT
2.11am GMT2.11am GMT
02:1102:11
Holtz asks the candidates what their priorities would be in the first 100 days of their presidencies. Holt asks the candidates what their priorities would be in the first 100 days of their presidencies.
Sanders gives a variation of his stump speech, saying that he wants to do everything in his power to combat inequality, that healthcare should be available for every American,Sanders gives a variation of his stump speech, saying that he wants to do everything in his power to combat inequality, that healthcare should be available for every American,
Clinton hammers her healthcare plan, a variation on what Obama and Sanders have said. She says she wants “a more stable platform that doesn’t take too much money out of the pockets of hard working Americans”.Clinton hammers her healthcare plan, a variation on what Obama and Sanders have said. She says she wants “a more stable platform that doesn’t take too much money out of the pockets of hard working Americans”.
Then she says “we do have too much division” in the country, and that she would try hard to reunite the American people.Then she says “we do have too much division” in the country, and that she would try hard to reunite the American people.
O’Malley runs down a list of issues that his rivals did not mention: bargaining rights for labor unions, getting 11 million people “out of the shadow economy”, $15 minimum wage everywhere possible, and tackling climate change.O’Malley runs down a list of issues that his rivals did not mention: bargaining rights for labor unions, getting 11 million people “out of the shadow economy”, $15 minimum wage everywhere possible, and tackling climate change.
Updated
at 3.08am GMT
2.08am GMT2.08am GMT
02:0802:08
Opening statementsOpening statements
Hillary Clinton: I remember well when my youth minister took me to hear Dr Martin Luther King when I was a teenager, his moral clarity, the message that he conveyed that evening really stayed with me.Hillary Clinton: I remember well when my youth minister took me to hear Dr Martin Luther King when I was a teenager, his moral clarity, the message that he conveyed that evening really stayed with me.
And it stayed with me that on the last day of his life in Memphis Dr King was fighting for higher pay and dignity for people. That is our fight still. We have to keep our communities and country safe. We need a president who can do all aspects of that job.And it stayed with me that on the last day of his life in Memphis Dr King was fighting for higher pay and dignity for people. That is our fight still. We have to keep our communities and country safe. We need a president who can do all aspects of that job.
Bernie Sanders: As we honor the extraordinary life of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, it’s important that we remember not just what he stood for but that we continue to remmber his vision for this country. We have an economy that’s rigged: ordinary Americans are working more hours for lower wages.Bernie Sanders: As we honor the extraordinary life of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, it’s important that we remember not just what he stood for but that we continue to remmber his vision for this country. We have an economy that’s rigged: ordinary Americans are working more hours for lower wages.
And to make a bad situation worse we have a corrupt campaign finance system where billionaires are spending extraordinary amounts of money to buy Americans. This is about a political revolution not only for president but to transform the country.And to make a bad situation worse we have a corrupt campaign finance system where billionaires are spending extraordinary amounts of money to buy Americans. This is about a political revolution not only for president but to transform the country.
Martin O’Malley: I’m Martin O’Malley. I was born when Dr King delivered his ‘I have a dream speech’. And I remember when there was a tragic shooting here in Charleston last year, and that the struggle is not over. Our country’s doing better and we’re creating jobs again, compared to eight years ago. But in order to do more for equal opportunity, we have to defeat the voices of anger and fear and division, we need new leadership. We need to build on the accomplishments of President Obama.Martin O’Malley: I’m Martin O’Malley. I was born when Dr King delivered his ‘I have a dream speech’. And I remember when there was a tragic shooting here in Charleston last year, and that the struggle is not over. Our country’s doing better and we’re creating jobs again, compared to eight years ago. But in order to do more for equal opportunity, we have to defeat the voices of anger and fear and division, we need new leadership. We need to build on the accomplishments of President Obama.
2.06am GMT2.06am GMT
02:0602:06
Jeb LundJeb Lund
From Guardian US columnist Jeb Lund, live in Tampa, Florida:From Guardian US columnist Jeb Lund, live in Tampa, Florida:
Welcome to the last Democratic debate before the Iowa caucus, for some reason scheduled at the very first hour of the average American’s Sunday when he or she will feel obligated to spend time with the kids after ignoring them for seven straight hours in favor of some of the most important football of the year.Welcome to the last Democratic debate before the Iowa caucus, for some reason scheduled at the very first hour of the average American’s Sunday when he or she will feel obligated to spend time with the kids after ignoring them for seven straight hours in favor of some of the most important football of the year.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.07am GMTat 2.07am GMT
2.03am GMT2.03am GMT
02:0302:03
The trio of Democratic candidates takes the stage, welcomed by moderator Lester Holtz for NBC News. The trio of Democratic candidates takes the stage, welcomed by moderator Lester Holt for NBC News.
There’s applause, and even a little bit of excited whooping. Clinton stands center stage.There’s applause, and even a little bit of excited whooping. Clinton stands center stage.
Holtz gives each 45 seconds to open. Holt gives each 45 seconds to open.
Updated
at 3.07am GMT
1.54am GMT1.54am GMT
01:5401:54
It's Carolina debate time!It's Carolina debate time!
To those who’re tuning in now, welcome to our live coverage of the fourth Democratic presidential debate. The Guardian’s Ed Pilkington and Dan Roberts are in attendance at the debate in Charleston, South Carolina, where Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley are about to take the stage.To those who’re tuning in now, welcome to our live coverage of the fourth Democratic presidential debate. The Guardian’s Ed Pilkington and Dan Roberts are in attendance at the debate in Charleston, South Carolina, where Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley are about to take the stage.
With only two weeks before caucus time in the great state of Iowa, the camaraderie among the Democratic candidates – nobody cares about any emails over here! – has finally soured. Allies of the Clinton camp have maligned Sanders’ health and healthcare plan, Clinton accused Sanders of “making [it] up as he goes along”, and the Vermont senator has fought back by suggesting Clinton gets along a little too well with Wall Street.With only two weeks before caucus time in the great state of Iowa, the camaraderie among the Democratic candidates – nobody cares about any emails over here! – has finally soured. Allies of the Clinton camp have maligned Sanders’ health and healthcare plan, Clinton accused Sanders of “making [it] up as he goes along”, and the Vermont senator has fought back by suggesting Clinton gets along a little too well with Wall Street.
O’Malley said the whole debate thing itself hasn’t been fair. But he’s shown up anyway, polls be damned.O’Malley said the whole debate thing itself hasn’t been fair. But he’s shown up anyway, polls be damned.
Tonight’s 9pm debate will be a less crowded affair than the opposing party’s debate on Thursday – though Republican candidates Donald Trump and Ted Cruz will be sure to make an appearance in angry, Twitter-embodied spirit.Tonight’s 9pm debate will be a less crowded affair than the opposing party’s debate on Thursday – though Republican candidates Donald Trump and Ted Cruz will be sure to make an appearance in angry, Twitter-embodied spirit.
The candidates are:The candidates are:
We’ve got a cast of political reporters, columnists here and across the US. You can watch a livestream here, but it’s the Sunday before a holiday and there’s no football on. Why not hang out with us instead?We’ve got a cast of political reporters, columnists here and across the US. You can watch a livestream here, but it’s the Sunday before a holiday and there’s no football on. Why not hang out with us instead?
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.57am GMTat 1.57am GMT
1.49am GMT1.49am GMT
01:4901:49
Bernie Sanders has unexpectedly bowed to pressure about his proposed healthcare plan, releasing a white paper just an hour before the debate. Dan Roberts and Ed Pilkington report from Charleston.Bernie Sanders has unexpectedly bowed to pressure about his proposed healthcare plan, releasing a white paper just an hour before the debate. Dan Roberts and Ed Pilkington report from Charleston.
The so-called “single-payer” insurance model is employed successfully in a number of industrialised countries such as Canada, but several practical questions over how to move from the current US system had overshadowed Sander’s ambitious promise.The so-called “single-payer” insurance model is employed successfully in a number of industrialised countries such as Canada, but several practical questions over how to move from the current US system had overshadowed Sander’s ambitious promise.
Sanders has always argued the efficiency benefits from having a single government purchaser of healthcare would more than compensate for the extra taxes used to pay for it – estimating there would be overall savings of $6tn over the next 10 years compared to the current system.Sanders has always argued the efficiency benefits from having a single government purchaser of healthcare would more than compensate for the extra taxes used to pay for it – estimating there would be overall savings of $6tn over the next 10 years compared to the current system.
But it remained unclear whether employers would necessarily pass on their savings from not having to provide medical insurance, or leave taxpayers facing a huge hike in their payments to the government in the interim.But it remained unclear whether employers would necessarily pass on their savings from not having to provide medical insurance, or leave taxpayers facing a huge hike in their payments to the government in the interim.
Economist Gerald Friedman estimated in the plan the average working family now pays $4,955 in premiums for private insurance and spends another $1,318 on deductibles for care that isn’t covered. The Sanders campaign claim that under his plan, a family of four earning $50,000 would pay just $466 per year to the Medicare-for-all program.Economist Gerald Friedman estimated in the plan the average working family now pays $4,955 in premiums for private insurance and spends another $1,318 on deductibles for care that isn’t covered. The Sanders campaign claim that under his plan, a family of four earning $50,000 would pay just $466 per year to the Medicare-for-all program.
Hillary Clinton has been stepping up her attacks on Sanders’ single-payer healthcare scheme, mindful no doubt of tightening polls in Iowa and her rival’s enduring lead in New Hampshire. She has claimed that the impact of the plan would be to return control over health insurance to the governors of individual states, and slap an additional 9% tax on middle-class families to pay for it.Hillary Clinton has been stepping up her attacks on Sanders’ single-payer healthcare scheme, mindful no doubt of tightening polls in Iowa and her rival’s enduring lead in New Hampshire. She has claimed that the impact of the plan would be to return control over health insurance to the governors of individual states, and slap an additional 9% tax on middle-class families to pay for it.
She released a statement almost immediately Sunday night, accusing Sanders of having “backpedaled” on guns and now healthcare. “When you’re running for president and you’re serious about getting results for the American people, details matter,” she said. “Senator Sanders is making them up as he goes along.”She released a statement almost immediately Sunday night, accusing Sanders of having “backpedaled” on guns and now healthcare. “When you’re running for president and you’re serious about getting results for the American people, details matter,” she said. “Senator Sanders is making them up as he goes along.”
Funding 'single payer' health with payroll tax not income tax seems smart move by Sanders - gives employers no choice but to pass on savingsFunding 'single payer' health with payroll tax not income tax seems smart move by Sanders - gives employers no choice but to pass on savings
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Musician endorsement rankings, Democrats 2016 edition.Musician endorsement rankings, Democrats 2016 edition.
Hillary Clinton: Bon Jovi, Ne-Yo, Ja Rule, Ariana Grande, Snoop Dogg, Ellie Goulding (5)Hillary Clinton: Bon Jovi, Ne-Yo, Ja Rule, Ariana Grande, Snoop Dogg, Ellie Goulding (5)
Bernie Sanders: Neil Young, Killer Mike, Lil B the Based God, Dave Matthews, the Red Hot Chili Peppers (5)Bernie Sanders: Neil Young, Killer Mike, Lil B the Based God, Dave Matthews, the Red Hot Chili Peppers (5)
Martin O’Malley: Martin O’Malley (1)Martin O’Malley: Martin O’Malley (1)
By your blogger’s inclinations, Sanders has the slight edge: the co-creator of Run the Jewels is in the Charleston spin room tonight to campaign for the senator.By your blogger’s inclinations, Sanders has the slight edge: the co-creator of Run the Jewels is in the Charleston spin room tonight to campaign for the senator.
Then again, Clinton has a somewhat famous saxophonist on the trail for her.Then again, Clinton has a somewhat famous saxophonist on the trail for her.
Jason Winter for Best Dressed! #ImWithHer https://t.co/ZUXeZvA16hJason Winter for Best Dressed! #ImWithHer https://t.co/ZUXeZvA16h
*Update: reporter Lauren Gambino points out that HRC has a huge roster of music celebrities in her camp. Beyoncé, Kanye, Cristina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez. She may have the edge. Or we’ll need some kind of reality show or music critic showdown to decide.*Update: reporter Lauren Gambino points out that HRC has a huge roster of music celebrities in her camp. Beyoncé, Kanye, Cristina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez. She may have the edge. Or we’ll need some kind of reality show or music critic showdown to decide.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.01am GMTat 2.01am GMT
1.35am GMT1.35am GMT
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Need to catch up on the intrigue and bickering of the 2016 election? Don’t miss the weekend’s main political events:Need to catch up on the intrigue and bickering of the 2016 election? Don’t miss the weekend’s main political events:
And on the other side of the aisle …And on the other side of the aisle …
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Meanwhile, Ed Pilkington and Dan Roberts are meeting the men and women who believe the Clinton and Sanders camps shall overcome … each other. They write in:Meanwhile, Ed Pilkington and Dan Roberts are meeting the men and women who believe the Clinton and Sanders camps shall overcome … each other. They write in:
There’s a pretty lively protest going on outside the Gaillard Centerwhere tonight’s Democratic presidential debate is being held. Supporters of Bernie Sanders are lined up on one side of Calhoun Street, chanting “no more flip-flopping” and “Grassroots not Superpacs” – not the snappiest of jingles.There’s a pretty lively protest going on outside the Gaillard Centerwhere tonight’s Democratic presidential debate is being held. Supporters of Bernie Sanders are lined up on one side of Calhoun Street, chanting “no more flip-flopping” and “Grassroots not Superpacs” – not the snappiest of jingles.
Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton troupers are lined up on the other side of the road, producing a noisy though placid face-off.Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton troupers are lined up on the other side of the road, producing a noisy though placid face-off.
The Bernie supporters definitely have the edge on decibel levels, though I’m not sure that shouting volume necessarily translates into votes, Donald Trump’s strategy notwithstanding. In other ways, the protesters seemed fairly identical to me.The Bernie supporters definitely have the edge on decibel levels, though I’m not sure that shouting volume necessarily translates into votes, Donald Trump’s strategy notwithstanding. In other ways, the protesters seemed fairly identical to me.
“I’m with Bernie because he actually cares about us - he’s been working for women and equal rights for 30 years without changing positions once,” said Melissa McKenzie, 32, on one side of the street.“I’m with Bernie because he actually cares about us - he’s been working for women and equal rights for 30 years without changing positions once,” said Melissa McKenzie, 32, on one side of the street.
“I’m excited to see a woman in the White House, and I’m insanely proud I get to elect the first female president in my first election ,” said Abby Beauregard, 18, on the other.“I’m excited to see a woman in the White House, and I’m insanely proud I get to elect the first female president in my first election ,” said Abby Beauregard, 18, on the other.
Lively protest feeling the Bern outside tonight's televised debate in Charleston https://t.co/zFQdKrWSRRLively protest feeling the Bern outside tonight's televised debate in Charleston https://t.co/zFQdKrWSRR
But scratch beneath the surface and Bernie fans are worried, they continue.But scratch beneath the surface and Bernie fans are worried, they continue.
The lack of organisation in South Carolina concerns many of the supporters, especially compared with Iowa, where Sanders has invested in a formidable ground operation.The lack of organisation in South Carolina concerns many of the supporters, especially compared with Iowa, where Sanders has invested in a formidable ground operation.
“I’m not sure how hard he is trying in South Carolina,” said one supporter trudging away from the battle of the banners. “I had two calls this week from Clinton campaign people trying to get me to turn out for her and nothing from his people. I just don’t think they have the money.”“I’m not sure how hard he is trying in South Carolina,” said one supporter trudging away from the battle of the banners. “I had two calls this week from Clinton campaign people trying to get me to turn out for her and nothing from his people. I just don’t think they have the money.”
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Tonight’s debate is at a stadium only a block away from the Mother Emanuel, the black church that was brutally attacked last June by a white supremacist. Nine people were killed after praying at a Bible studies class with the gunman, and the tragedy continues to reverberate through the community.Tonight’s debate is at a stadium only a block away from the Mother Emanuel, the black church that was brutally attacked last June by a white supremacist. Nine people were killed after praying at a Bible studies class with the gunman, and the tragedy continues to reverberate through the community.
Chief reporter Ed Pilkington sends a sketch from the church service earlier Sunday.Chief reporter Ed Pilkington sends a sketch from the church service earlier Sunday.
That terrible event, so close in location to the debate venue, is unquestionably going to be raised tonight as the presidential contestants compete with each other to be seen to be tough on gun violence.That terrible event, so close in location to the debate venue, is unquestionably going to be raised tonight as the presidential contestants compete with each other to be seen to be tough on gun violence.
We had a preview of that this morning, at a special Mother Emanuel Sunday service for Martin Luther King weekend. Bernie Sanders was among the packed congregation, giving a short speech in which he recalled attending King’s 1963 march on Washington.We had a preview of that this morning, at a special Mother Emanuel Sunday service for Martin Luther King weekend. Bernie Sanders was among the packed congregation, giving a short speech in which he recalled attending King’s 1963 march on Washington.
Hillary Clinton wasn’t there, but her place was taken by her newly-announced surrogate, the former US attorney general Eric Holder. “Those who are elected must be held accountable” on fighting gun violence, he said, “and those who will not stand with us must be held accountable”.Hillary Clinton wasn’t there, but her place was taken by her newly-announced surrogate, the former US attorney general Eric Holder. “Those who are elected must be held accountable” on fighting gun violence, he said, “and those who will not stand with us must be held accountable”.
Holder did not specify whom he was referring to, but you could be forgiven for assuming it was the white-haired senator for Vermont about five feet away – the senator whom Clinton has been bashing hard in recent days over his perceived weakness on gun reform.Holder did not specify whom he was referring to, but you could be forgiven for assuming it was the white-haired senator for Vermont about five feet away – the senator whom Clinton has been bashing hard in recent days over his perceived weakness on gun reform.
The most moving words at the service came from Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed 17-year-old black teenager shot dead by George Zimmerman in 2012.The most moving words at the service came from Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed 17-year-old black teenager shot dead by George Zimmerman in 2012.
“If nothing in life breaks you down, then losing a child will bring you to your knees,” she said. “The pain never goes away.”“If nothing in life breaks you down, then losing a child will bring you to your knees,” she said. “The pain never goes away.”
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It’s the battle of the banners in Charleston, where DC bureau chief Dan Roberts is mingling with the partisans.It’s the battle of the banners in Charleston, where DC bureau chief Dan Roberts is mingling with the partisans.
12.43am GMT12.43am GMT
00:4300:43
Lauren GambinoLauren Gambino
If a debate falls on a Sunday and no one is around to watch it, do the candidates make a sound?If a debate falls on a Sunday and no one is around to watch it, do the candidates make a sound?
That’s a question from my colleague Lauren Gambino, who reports on whether the organizers of the Democratic debate schedule actually want anybody to think about anyone besides a certain former secretary of state.That’s a question from my colleague Lauren Gambino, who reports on whether the organizers of the Democratic debate schedule actually want anybody to think about anyone besides a certain former secretary of state.
I did my best to make sure, along with my staff and along with our debate partners, to come up with a schedule that we felt was going to allow for the – to maximize the opportunity for voters to see our candidates.”I did my best to make sure, along with my staff and along with our debate partners, to come up with a schedule that we felt was going to allow for the – to maximize the opportunity for voters to see our candidates.”
So said Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), told CNN’s Reliable Sources on Sunday.So said Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), told CNN’s Reliable Sources on Sunday.
Two presidential candidates politely disagree.Two presidential candidates politely disagree.
We’ve never had such an undemocratic debate schedule as we have this year in the Democratic Party,” said candidate Martin O’Malley last week, during Fusion’s Black and Brown forum.We’ve never had such an undemocratic debate schedule as we have this year in the Democratic Party,” said candidate Martin O’Malley last week, during Fusion’s Black and Brown forum.
That event was not an official debate and drew even more dismal viewership numbers than the three debates so far. O’Malley added:That event was not an official debate and drew even more dismal viewership numbers than the three debates so far. O’Malley added:
And then to add insult to injury, they schedule these debates on Saturday nights when as few people will see them as possible.”And then to add insult to injury, they schedule these debates on Saturday nights when as few people will see them as possible.”
Polling far behind the other Democratic candidates, the former governor of Maryland blamed his flagging campaign squarely on the DNC’s debate schedule.Polling far behind the other Democratic candidates, the former governor of Maryland blamed his flagging campaign squarely on the DNC’s debate schedule.
That schedule has been the source of much internal, well, debate, with many accusing party leadership of deliberately creating a schedule that drives down viewership and tilts the nomination in favor of Clinton.That schedule has been the source of much internal, well, debate, with many accusing party leadership of deliberately creating a schedule that drives down viewership and tilts the nomination in favor of Clinton.
If true – and the party’s chairwoman has repeatedly said it is not – the plan to protect Clinton has backfired. Tonight is the last Democratic debate before voting begins in Iowa and New Hampshire, where Sanders and Clinton are deadlocked.If true – and the party’s chairwoman has repeatedly said it is not – the plan to protect Clinton has backfired. Tonight is the last Democratic debate before voting begins in Iowa and New Hampshire, where Sanders and Clinton are deadlocked.
What’s the fuss? Lauren takes a look at the schedule:What’s the fuss? Lauren takes a look at the schedule:
There was the one a Tuesday in October, so long ago that you might have forgotten about it. There was the other one on a Saturday in November that competed with college football. And the one just days before Christmas – in the same 24-hour window Star Wars was released to record ticket sales. Now there’s one tonight, in the middle of a holiday weekend, after two NFL playoff games.There was the one a Tuesday in October, so long ago that you might have forgotten about it. There was the other one on a Saturday in November that competed with college football. And the one just days before Christmas – in the same 24-hour window Star Wars was released to record ticket sales. Now there’s one tonight, in the middle of a holiday weekend, after two NFL playoff games.
So far, the three Democratic debates have drawn a total of 33 million viewers. By contrast the Republicans have held six debates, collectively attracting 102 million viewers.So far, the three Democratic debates have drawn a total of 33 million viewers. By contrast the Republicans have held six debates, collectively attracting 102 million viewers.
There are only two more Democratic debates scheduled, compared to six for the Republicans.There are only two more Democratic debates scheduled, compared to six for the Republicans.
On Sunday, Wasserman Schultz seemed to excuse the Democratic debates’ low viewership with a quality-over-quantity argument:On Sunday, Wasserman Schultz seemed to excuse the Democratic debates’ low viewership with a quality-over-quantity argument:
They have got a reality TV star that is attracting a lot of train wreck, you know, you shouldn’t watch, but you can’t help yourself-type interest. On our side, we’re getting record viewership for our debates. And we have had three up to now, and this is our fourth. And that’s because voters really care about the issues.”They have got a reality TV star that is attracting a lot of train wreck, you know, you shouldn’t watch, but you can’t help yourself-type interest. On our side, we’re getting record viewership for our debates. And we have had three up to now, and this is our fourth. And that’s because voters really care about the issues.”
So tonight we can expect Clinton and Sanders will likely go at it harder than they have yet, in a final sprint to shore up as many votes as possible before the 1 February caucus.So tonight we can expect Clinton and Sanders will likely go at it harder than they have yet, in a final sprint to shore up as many votes as possible before the 1 February caucus.
12.01am GMT12.01am GMT
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Hello and welcome to our coverage of the fourth Democratic presidential debate, where Americans will get to spend time with a cantankerous semi-socialist from Brooklyn, the stateswoman who brought dancing to diplomacy, and a street busker from Maryland who thinks he can lead the free world.Hello and welcome to our coverage of the fourth Democratic presidential debate, where Americans will get to spend time with a cantankerous semi-socialist from Brooklyn, the stateswoman who brought dancing to diplomacy, and a street busker from Maryland who thinks he can lead the free world.
Anything could happen! Most of it probably won’t. But you’ve probably got Monday off and all the football games have ended – probably – so why not stick around?Anything could happen! Most of it probably won’t. But you’ve probably got Monday off and all the football games have ended – probably – so why not stick around?
Tonight we’re in Charleston, South Carolina, on the even of Martin Luther King Day, so it’s safe to expect some sober talk about civil rights – reproductive, voting, healthcare, inequality – and about a new struggle: gun control. Emotions are running high on both issues in Charleston, where chief reporter Ed Pilkington has landed and written up a little on what people are thinking.Tonight we’re in Charleston, South Carolina, on the even of Martin Luther King Day, so it’s safe to expect some sober talk about civil rights – reproductive, voting, healthcare, inequality – and about a new struggle: gun control. Emotions are running high on both issues in Charleston, where chief reporter Ed Pilkington has landed and written up a little on what people are thinking.
And with only two weeks before one of our three contenders wins Iowa, the stakes are considerably higher.And with only two weeks before one of our three contenders wins Iowa, the stakes are considerably higher.
This week the allies of former secretary of state Hillary Clinton ratcheted up attacks on her closest rival, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont – her daughter said something scary (and dubious) about his plans, and a Super Pac wanted to see a note from his doctor.This week the allies of former secretary of state Hillary Clinton ratcheted up attacks on her closest rival, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont – her daughter said something scary (and dubious) about his plans, and a Super Pac wanted to see a note from his doctor.
Sanders bolstered his campaign presence in Iowa and launched a new ad tying Clinton to Wall Street – the great bugaboo of the senator’s campaign. Martin O’Malley, polling below 3% nationally, didn’t drop out of the race, so kudos for perseverance anyway.Sanders bolstered his campaign presence in Iowa and launched a new ad tying Clinton to Wall Street – the great bugaboo of the senator’s campaign. Martin O’Malley, polling below 3% nationally, didn’t drop out of the race, so kudos for perseverance anyway.
The debate is set for 9pm ET on BC, a little after playoff football should end (unless the Steelers and Broncos go to overtime). Candidates will likely face questions about the Black Lives Matter movement, Sanders’ voting record, those pesky banks, those pesky military interventions in the Middle East – and you can bet they’ll give Republicans Donald Trump and Ted Cruz a dishonorable mention or two.The debate is set for 9pm ET on BC, a little after playoff football should end (unless the Steelers and Broncos go to overtime). Candidates will likely face questions about the Black Lives Matter movement, Sanders’ voting record, those pesky banks, those pesky military interventions in the Middle East – and you can bet they’ll give Republicans Donald Trump and Ted Cruz a dishonorable mention or two.
Along for the ride this evening here at Guardian US are:Along for the ride this evening here at Guardian US are:
We’ll make sense of the circus so you don’t have to … or at least we’ll try. Read on!We’ll make sense of the circus so you don’t have to … or at least we’ll try. Read on!