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Democratic town hall live: candidates in Iowa debate plans amid Sanders surge Bernie Sanders makes impassioned defense of socialism at Democratic forum - live coverage
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2.53am GMT
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He doesn't have a prayer... Martin O'Malley #DemTownHall #DemForum pic.twitter.com/IeIebF4aDm
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Former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley joins the stage with rock-bottom poll numbers - and immediately knocks the people conducting those polls.
“With only three of us in the Democratic primary, there’s only one of us who can still upset the apple cart!”
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Alan Yuhas
This morning, Barack Obama played pundit in a podcast interview - the Guardian’s Alan Yuhas points out the president’s respect for Bernie Sanders, who he calls “fearless”:
“There’s no doubt that Bernie has tapped into a running thread in Democratic politics,” Obama told Politico in a podcast, saying that thread asked: “Why are we still constrained by the terms of the debate that were set by Ronald Reagan 30 years ago?
“You know, why is it that we should be scared to challenge conventional wisdom and talk bluntly about inequality and, you know, be full-throated in our progressivism?”
But although Obama said he understood Sanders’ appeal, he downplayed any similarities between his upstart 2008 campaign and the 73-year-old senator’s surprise popularity with diverse and young voters.
Obama applauded Sanders, nonetheless, and conceded he did not know the senator as well as Clinton. Sanders “has the virtue of saying exactly what he believes, and great authenticity, great passion, and is fearless”, he said. “His attitude is, ‘I got nothing to lose.’”
Related: Obama weighs in on 'fearless' Sanders and 'wicked smart' Clinton
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They wouldn’t believe it.
Bernie gets emotional talking about his family, led by a father who emigrated to Brooklyn, New York, from Poland, where most of his family was murdered in the Holocaust. “It’s certainly something that I don’t think they’d ever believe would’ve happened,” Sanders said, of his rise to political prominence.
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Vermont senator Bernie Sanders is easily winning the comedy primary tonight with his ribbing of Chris Cuomo. The moderator, who asked Sanders to sit down after standing up to answer a series of audience questions, tells Sanders he is “tired of following you around, sir.”
“If you’da followed me around today you’d be a lot more tired,” Sanders deadpans.
Told he is 75, Bernie replies: "I'm 74!" You're going on 75... "I'm going on 75 - so are you!" #demforum #DemTownHall
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Bernie Sanders restates his support for shield laws that keep gun manufacturers from being legally liable for violence committed using their products:
If you are a small gun shop in Vermont and I legally sell you a weapon ... I think the gun shop owner should not be held liable for your criminal act, that’s what I believe.
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Asked about his level of experience compared to Hillary Clinton’s, Sanders says:
Bernie Sanders: "This calls for a standing-up response" #DemTownHall #DemForum pic.twitter.com/M8IOpMeGm1
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Bernie Sanders doubles down on comparing opponent Hillary Clinton to loathed former vice president Dick Cheney - at least, from an experience level:
He had a lot of experience too!”
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02:35
Dan Roberts
Reporting from Bernie Sanders’ campaign headquarters in Burlington, Vermont, the Guardian’s Dan Roberts points out that even the senator himself is surprised by how far he has gone in the past six months:
“Truth be told, did any of us really, truly in our heart of hearts believe that six months later he was going to be kind of winning?” says environmentalist Bill McKibben as he recalls how far this so-called fringe candidate has come since he launched his campaign from a Burlington park in June.
Perhaps more than for any other leading candidate in the 2016 election, the next seven days are make or break for Sanders. If he can beat Clinton in the Iowa caucus, it won’t destroy her or win him the Democratic nomination, but it will raise the possibility that the wave of support could build – first in New Hampshire and then perhaps in Nevada or several Super Tuesday states. If the surge dissipates on the prairies of Iowa, even a win in the New Hampshire primary a week later may not be enough to dispel the inevitable feeling that the revolutionary moment has passed.
Related: Hope grows at Vermont HQ that Bernie Sanders effect can go national
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02:30
Given his tweetstream, Kentucky senator Rand Paul may be being forced to watch the Democratic town hall forum Clockwork Orange-style.
I FEEL LIKE THIS ENTIRE #DEMTOWNHALL SO FAR HAS BEEN IN ALL CAPS
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In the wake of a maladroit answer to a question about Planned Parenthood and the Human Rights Campaign’s endorsement of Hillary Clinton, Sanders addresses a college student’s question about how he would be a better candidate for women’s issues than Hillary Clinton.
Sanders’ answer: After touting his 100-percent rating from Planned Parenthood, Sanders declares “we should expand funding for Planned Parenthood”.
“If you have a hundred-percent Planned Parenthood voting record, a hundred-percent pro-choice voting record, why is the leadership either not supporting Bernie Sanders, or why are they opposing him?” Sanders asks rhetorically.
As for being compared to a female candidate on women’s issues: “If you look at my record in terms of fighting for women’s rights, I think there are very few members of Congress who have a stronger record,” Sanders says.
“We’re gonna fight for pay equity to make sure that everybody earns the same amount for the same work.” He also calls for raising the national minimum wage, which would disproportionately impact women.
As moderator Chris Cuomo tries to cut into Sanders’ answer, he dismisses the interruption with a wave of his hand. “I’m trying to win her vote - leave me alone, here!”
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02:20
Most of the Republican candidates seem to be ignoring tonight’s Democratic presidential forum, but Kentucky senator Rand Paul - whose libertarian-leaning ideology couldn’t be further from Sanders’ self-proclaimed socialism - is ragetweeting enough for the entire field combined:
Here comes @BernieSanders! I predict he spends a trillion dollars in the first give minutes. Someone tally it. #DemTownHall
Sanders talks about Campaign Finance Reform and that too many people are trying to buy things and people in Washington. (1/2) #DemTownHall
But I have a different solution. Don't limit speech. Make the government smaller so people have no incentive to buy it #DemTownHall
.@BernieSanders just spent five minutes telling you what he thinks a socialist is. I can do it faster. #DemTownHall
Gov’t involvement never works. Gov’t involvement in healthcare raised prices & gov’t involvement in ed raised tuition costs #DemTownHall
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02:1902:19
Sanders is asked whether he wants to bring back the “era of big government”. He says Wall Street should pay its way.Sanders is asked whether he wants to bring back the “era of big government”. He says Wall Street should pay its way.
Pressed on the question, Sanders says every child should be able to get a higher education, and he will pay for that with financial taxes.Pressed on the question, Sanders says every child should be able to get a higher education, and he will pay for that with financial taxes.
Pressed again, he says social security should be expanded. That gets a round of applause.Pressed again, he says social security should be expanded. That gets a round of applause.
He says he will take on the greed of corporate America and Wall Street and will fight for the middle class.He says he will take on the greed of corporate America and Wall Street and will fight for the middle class.
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02:1602:16
Sanders is asked about his healthcare plan - is it a huge tax rise? He says it will save each person so much money, no one will see it like that. But he admits it also entails a tax rise.Sanders is asked about his healthcare plan - is it a huge tax rise? He says it will save each person so much money, no one will see it like that. But he admits it also entails a tax rise.
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The first question: Can you elaborate on your definition of socialism?The first question: Can you elaborate on your definition of socialism?
Sanders’ answer: Socialism means that “economic rights - the right for economic security - should exist in the United States of America”.Sanders’ answer: Socialism means that “economic rights - the right for economic security - should exist in the United States of America”.
“There’s something wrong when the rich get richer and almost everybody else gets poorer,” Sanders continues. Citing Scandinavia and Germany as examples of democratic socialism in action, Sanders declares that “the ideas that I am talking about are not radical ideas”.“There’s something wrong when the rich get richer and almost everybody else gets poorer,” Sanders continues. Citing Scandinavia and Germany as examples of democratic socialism in action, Sanders declares that “the ideas that I am talking about are not radical ideas”.
Socialism, “in its essence,” entails a government for everyone, not a “government dominated by the billionaire class”.Socialism, “in its essence,” entails a government for everyone, not a “government dominated by the billionaire class”.
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Well, there’s our quote of the night.Well, there’s our quote of the night.
"My wife told me to button my coat, but I think I'm too fat, so..." – Bernie Sanders"My wife told me to button my coat, but I think I'm too fat, so..." – Bernie Sanders
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Bernie Sanders at the cnn democratic forum #DemTownHall #DemForum pic.twitter.com/fsIyvFoin4Bernie Sanders at the cnn democratic forum #DemTownHall #DemForum pic.twitter.com/fsIyvFoin4
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It begins!It begins!
With just a week left until the Iowa caucuses, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley will make what CNN is calling their “closing arguments” at Drake University. The event, moderated by Chris Cuomo, CNN anchor-slash-brother of a Hillary-supporting governor of New York, airs as both Clinton and Sanders are neck-and-neck in Iowa.With just a week left until the Iowa caucuses, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley will make what CNN is calling their “closing arguments” at Drake University. The event, moderated by Chris Cuomo, CNN anchor-slash-brother of a Hillary-supporting governor of New York, airs as both Clinton and Sanders are neck-and-neck in Iowa.
Reminder for those who can’t figure out which channel CNN is on, the network is streaming the town hall on CNN.com.Reminder for those who can’t figure out which channel CNN is on, the network is streaming the town hall on CNN.com.
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1.54am GMT1.54am GMT
01:5401:54
Richard WolffeRichard Wolffe
As both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders champion their causes tonight in Iowa, the Guardian’s Richard Wolffe reports that their differing styles are coming into clearer contrast. Clinton works methodically and channels Al Gore – while Sanders likens himself to Barack Obama, despite vastly different policies:As both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders champion their causes tonight in Iowa, the Guardian’s Richard Wolffe reports that their differing styles are coming into clearer contrast. Clinton works methodically and channels Al Gore – while Sanders likens himself to Barack Obama, despite vastly different policies:
As they enter their final week of campaigning in Iowa, the two Democratic frontrunners are turning out very different versions of the same party in the same state. Both can make a credible claim to feeling that victory is within reach, depending on which polls you choose to believe.As they enter their final week of campaigning in Iowa, the two Democratic frontrunners are turning out very different versions of the same party in the same state. Both can make a credible claim to feeling that victory is within reach, depending on which polls you choose to believe.
For Clinton, victory in Iowa would go a long way to silence her Democratic doubters and deliver a reality check to the unexpectedly strong challenge from the proudly socialist senator from Vermont. Her campaign was particularly excited by its Des Moines Register endorsement on Saturday, as the leading Iowa newspaper praised the depth and breadth of “her knowledge and experience”.For Clinton, victory in Iowa would go a long way to silence her Democratic doubters and deliver a reality check to the unexpectedly strong challenge from the proudly socialist senator from Vermont. Her campaign was particularly excited by its Des Moines Register endorsement on Saturday, as the leading Iowa newspaper praised the depth and breadth of “her knowledge and experience”.
For Sanders, victory in Iowa would send shockwaves through the party establishment and suggest that the party’s base was more interested in progressive idealism than presidential power. Sanders is heading to a resounding victory in New Hampshire, next door to his home state of Vermont, setting up epic battles to secure pole position in Nevada and South Carolina in the second half of February.For Sanders, victory in Iowa would send shockwaves through the party establishment and suggest that the party’s base was more interested in progressive idealism than presidential power. Sanders is heading to a resounding victory in New Hampshire, next door to his home state of Vermont, setting up epic battles to secure pole position in Nevada and South Carolina in the second half of February.
In these final days of the Iowa campaign, the two candidates have chosen to model themselves on two different Democratic presidents. But in both cases, the comparisons are not entirely convincing or flattering.In these final days of the Iowa campaign, the two candidates have chosen to model themselves on two different Democratic presidents. But in both cases, the comparisons are not entirely convincing or flattering.
Read the full piece here:Read the full piece here:
Related: Hillary v Bernie: Iowa town highlights gap between DemocratsRelated: Hillary v Bernie: Iowa town highlights gap between Democrats
1.41am GMT1.41am GMT
01:4101:41
Dan RobertsDan Roberts
I’ve been outside tonight’s (admittedly snowy) venue for an hour and I’ve yet to see a Hillary Clinton sign let alone a supporter. Not a very scientific poll, but...I’ve been outside tonight’s (admittedly snowy) venue for an hour and I’ve yet to see a Hillary Clinton sign let alone a supporter. Not a very scientific poll, but...
1.38am GMT1.38am GMT
01:3801:38
Sabrina SiddiquiSabrina Siddiqui
The Guardian’s Sabrina Siddiqui reports from Des Moines, Iowa, where the eternally pugnacious Chris Christie had some post-blizzard cleanup tips from a New Jersey voter:The Guardian’s Sabrina Siddiqui reports from Des Moines, Iowa, where the eternally pugnacious Chris Christie had some post-blizzard cleanup tips from a New Jersey voter:
Chris Christie was defiant about campaigning in New Hampshire on Monday when confronted by a young woman at a town hall in Hooksett on why he was not home in New Jersey amid devastating flooding on the state’s southern shorefront.Chris Christie was defiant about campaigning in New Hampshire on Monday when confronted by a young woman at a town hall in Hooksett on why he was not home in New Jersey amid devastating flooding on the state’s southern shorefront.
The woman, who identified herself as a student from New Jersey, said she had received calls from family and friends who were seeking justification for Christie’s absence.The woman, who identified herself as a student from New Jersey, said she had received calls from family and friends who were seeking justification for Christie’s absence.
“Well, because it’s already done, it’s already done,” the governor responded, before asking her to name where the problems persisted.“Well, because it’s already done, it’s already done,” the governor responded, before asking her to name where the problems persisted.
When the woman said she had received pictures and videos from family and friends of flooding “all over the state,” Christie grew incredulous and shot back: “Really?”When the woman said she had received pictures and videos from family and friends of flooding “all over the state,” Christie grew incredulous and shot back: “Really?”
“There’s been one county that’s flooded in the state - one county … So I don’t know where from ‘all over the state,’ since we have 21 counties, where that’s happened.”“There’s been one county that’s flooded in the state - one county … So I don’t know where from ‘all over the state,’ since we have 21 counties, where that’s happened.”
“Second, I don’t know what you want me to do, you want me to go down there with a mop?” he added.“Second, I don’t know what you want me to do, you want me to go down there with a mop?” he added.
“All of the water had receded back, so for your friends and family, who are concerned about why I’m not there, I just wonder what it is they think I’d be doing today. You know, I’m the governor, not the chief engineer.“All of the water had receded back, so for your friends and family, who are concerned about why I’m not there, I just wonder what it is they think I’d be doing today. You know, I’m the governor, not the chief engineer.
Christie has faced mounting criticism in recent days from residents and reporters alike in New Jersey for seeming dismissive of what has been described as record flooding in some areas comparable to the Hurricane Sandy superstore of 2012.Christie has faced mounting criticism in recent days from residents and reporters alike in New Jersey for seeming dismissive of what has been described as record flooding in some areas comparable to the Hurricane Sandy superstore of 2012.
In some Cape May County Shore towns, the surge of flooding - a consequence of the weekend’s winter storm - has been recorded at more than 9 feet. Some insurance experts have estimated the financial toll of the storm could reach billions of dollars.In some Cape May County Shore towns, the surge of flooding - a consequence of the weekend’s winter storm - has been recorded at more than 9 feet. Some insurance experts have estimated the financial toll of the storm could reach billions of dollars.
Christie downplayed the storm’s impact earlier Monday during an appearance on MSNBC, insisting there was “no residual flooding damage” and that people were simply out to criticize him as he runs for president.Christie downplayed the storm’s impact earlier Monday during an appearance on MSNBC, insisting there was “no residual flooding damage” and that people were simply out to criticize him as he runs for president.
“I haven’t seen any of that criticism and I think you’re just making it up,” Christie told a reporter on the network when asked to respond to the negative press.“I haven’t seen any of that criticism and I think you’re just making it up,” Christie told a reporter on the network when asked to respond to the negative press.
The governor returned to New Jersey over the weekend for one day, cutting short a six-day swing through New Hampshire. One of Christie’s fellow Republican contenders, Florida senator Marco Rubio, took a jab at him on Monday for essentially being shamed into returning to New Jersey.The governor returned to New Jersey over the weekend for one day, cutting short a six-day swing through New Hampshire. One of Christie’s fellow Republican contenders, Florida senator Marco Rubio, took a jab at him on Monday for essentially being shamed into returning to New Jersey.
“When the storm was coming down and they knew it was going to head there, he didn’t want to leave campaign trail - he wanted to keep running for president,” Rubio told reporters after a rally in Des Moines, Iowa. “Only after it became impossible was he forced to go back to New Jersey.”“When the storm was coming down and they knew it was going to head there, he didn’t want to leave campaign trail - he wanted to keep running for president,” Rubio told reporters after a rally in Des Moines, Iowa. “Only after it became impossible was he forced to go back to New Jersey.”
Rubio and Christie have been engaged in an ongoing feud while competing in New Hampshire, which will hold its primary on February 9. Over the weekend, Christie took umbrage with Rubio for joking that the snowstorm was “one of the best things to happen to the republic in a while” because it shut down Washington.Rubio and Christie have been engaged in an ongoing feud while competing in New Hampshire, which will hold its primary on February 9. Over the weekend, Christie took umbrage with Rubio for joking that the snowstorm was “one of the best things to happen to the republic in a while” because it shut down Washington.
“Fourteen people died across the country, and that shows a real immaturity from Senator Rubio to be joking as families were freezing in the cold, losing power and some of them losing their loved ones,” Christie said on Sunday.“Fourteen people died across the country, and that shows a real immaturity from Senator Rubio to be joking as families were freezing in the cold, losing power and some of them losing their loved ones,” Christie said on Sunday.
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1.22am GMT1.22am GMT
01:2201:22
Dan RobertsDan Roberts
The Guardian’s Dan Roberts forwarded us a vivid - some might even say garish - demonstration of the enthusiasm gap between Vermont senator Bernie Sanders and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, in the form of this Iowa woman’s day-glo Bernie sign:The Guardian’s Dan Roberts forwarded us a vivid - some might even say garish - demonstration of the enthusiasm gap between Vermont senator Bernie Sanders and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, in the form of this Iowa woman’s day-glo Bernie sign:
“It all depends on getting people out to vote.”“It all depends on getting people out to vote.”
1.18am GMT1.18am GMT
01:1801:18
Want to catch up on today in politics before the Democratic presidential forum? Check out the Guardian’s liveblog from earlier today:Want to catch up on today in politics before the Democratic presidential forum? Check out the Guardian’s liveblog from earlier today:
Related: Campaign live: Bernie Sanders comforts weeping supporter describing minimum wage hardshipsRelated: Campaign live: Bernie Sanders comforts weeping supporter describing minimum wage hardships
1.03am GMT1.03am GMT
01:0301:03
Fight night! Kind of!Fight night! Kind of!
Tonight, the three remaining Democratic candidates meet for what is definitely, absolutely, cross-your-heart-and-hope-to-die not a debate in Des Moines, Iowa. The “candidates forum,” hosted by CNN at 9pm, will feature former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, Vermont senator Bernie Sanders and former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley.Tonight, the three remaining Democratic candidates meet for what is definitely, absolutely, cross-your-heart-and-hope-to-die not a debate in Des Moines, Iowa. The “candidates forum,” hosted by CNN at 9pm, will feature former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, Vermont senator Bernie Sanders and former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley.
What’s the difference between a forum and a debate? No cross-talk among the candidates. In fact, none of the three candidates will even appear onstage at the same time, save for a possible photo opportunity at the opening and/or closing of the forum. They may refer to criticisms from previous speakers, they may engage in straw-man arguments with those who have yet to take the stage, they may even pull a Clint Eastwood and yell at a vacant chair in lieu of their real-life opponent, but they can not debate.What’s the difference between a forum and a debate? No cross-talk among the candidates. In fact, none of the three candidates will even appear onstage at the same time, save for a possible photo opportunity at the opening and/or closing of the forum. They may refer to criticisms from previous speakers, they may engage in straw-man arguments with those who have yet to take the stage, they may even pull a Clint Eastwood and yell at a vacant chair in lieu of their real-life opponent, but they can not debate.
The last time they did this was on 6 November 2015, in South Carolina (check out our coverage here). This time, the proceedings are being held at Drake University’s Sheslow Auditorium and are hosted by Chris Cuomo, brother of the New York governor, who happens to have endorsed Clinton.The last time they did this was on 6 November 2015, in South Carolina (check out our coverage here). This time, the proceedings are being held at Drake University’s Sheslow Auditorium and are hosted by Chris Cuomo, brother of the New York governor, who happens to have endorsed Clinton.
One week before the Iowa caucuses, the forum takes place at a crucial point in the campaign. Sanders and Clinton are neck-and-neck among likely caucus-goers, with the former secretary of state desperate for a breakout that returns her to the status of presumptive nominee.One week before the Iowa caucuses, the forum takes place at a crucial point in the campaign. Sanders and Clinton are neck-and-neck among likely caucus-goers, with the former secretary of state desperate for a breakout that returns her to the status of presumptive nominee.