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| Democratic Debate 2019 Live Updates: Candidates Face Off in Detroit | Democratic Debate 2019 Live Updates: Candidates Face Off in Detroit |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Mr. Delaney, by far the wealthiest candidate onstage, said he should pay more in taxes. But he disagreed with Ms. Warren’s plan to tax wealth above $50 million, calling it “arguably unconstitutional” and said the party should raise capital gains taxes instead. | |
| “There’s no reason why people who invest for a living should pay less than people who work for a living,” Mr. Delaney said. | |
| Ms. Warren outlined her proposal — a centerpiece of her campaign — of a tax on the assets of the super wealthy. | |
| “It’s time to tax the top one tenth of 1 percent of fortunes in the country,” she said. “Your first $50 million you can keep free and clear. But the 50 million and first dollar you have to pitch in two cents.” | |
| Ms. Warren said it would pay for, among other things, universal pre-K, raising child care worker wages, expanding Pell grants and investing in historically black colleges. | |
| As the debate neared the end of its second hour, Ms. Warren and Mr. Delaney engaged in another clash, this time over free trade. | |
| Ms. Warren, Mr. Delaney said, “just issued a trade plan that would prevent the United States from trading with its allies. We can’t go isolate ourselves from the world. We have to engage.” | |
| “For decades we have had a trade policy that has been written by giant multinational corporations to help giant multinational corporations,” Ms. Warren shot back. “They have no loyalty to America. They have no patriotism. If they can save a nickel by moving a job to Mexico, they’ll do it in heartbeat.” | |
| Mr. Delaney went on to say that Ms. Warren’s plan is “so extreme it will isolate American economy from the world.” | |
| “What the congressman is describing as extreme,” Ms. Warren said, “is having deals that are negotiated by American workers, for American workers.” | |
| As the conversation turned to the issue of race relations, Ms. Warren was asked how she would tackle rising violence in America that has been tied to white supremacists. | |
| “We need to call it out white supremacy for what it is: domestic terrorism,” Ms. Warren said. “And it poses a threat to the United States of America.” | |
| Ms. Williamson also embraced the domestic terrorism label, saying in America, “There was 250 years of slavery followed by another hundred years of domestic terrorism.” | |
| Some other highlights of the discussion: | |
| Mr. Buttigieg defended his mayoralty and said he and the community had “come together repeatedly” to tackle the challenges of a racially divided America. “Systemic racism has hit every part of American life from housing to health to homeownership,” he said. | |
| Mr. O’Rourke said that he would sign a bill to create a commission to study reparations for African Americans. “The legacy of slavery and segregation and Jim Crow and suppression is alive and well in every aspect of the economy and country,” he said. | |
| Ms. Williamson said reparations were already clearly necessary and that even her plan for $500 billion would be insufficient if one considered the failed promise of “40 acres and a mule” to former slaves after the Civil War. | |
| In response to a question about the water crisis in Flint, Mich., Ms. Williamson said: | In response to a question about the water crisis in Flint, Mich., Ms. Williamson said: |
| My response is Flint is the tip of the iceberg. I was in Denmark, S.C., where it is a lot of talk about it being the next Flint. We have an administration that has gutted the Clean Water Act. We have communities, particularly communities of color and disadvantaged communities all over this country, who are suffering from environmental injustice. | My response is Flint is the tip of the iceberg. I was in Denmark, S.C., where it is a lot of talk about it being the next Flint. We have an administration that has gutted the Clean Water Act. We have communities, particularly communities of color and disadvantaged communities all over this country, who are suffering from environmental injustice. |
| I assure you: I lived in Grosse Pointe, what happened in Flint would not have happened in Grosse Pointe. | I assure you: I lived in Grosse Pointe, what happened in Flint would not have happened in Grosse Pointe. |
| This is part of the dark underbelly of American society. The racism, the bigotry, and the entire conversation that we’re having here tonight — if you think any of this wonkiness is going to deal with this dark psychic force of the collectivized hatred that this president is bringing up in this country, then I’m afraid that the Democrats are going to see some very dark days. | This is part of the dark underbelly of American society. The racism, the bigotry, and the entire conversation that we’re having here tonight — if you think any of this wonkiness is going to deal with this dark psychic force of the collectivized hatred that this president is bringing up in this country, then I’m afraid that the Democrats are going to see some very dark days. |
| We need to say it like it is, it’s bigger than Flint. It’s all over this country. It’s particularly people of color. It’s particularly people who do not have the money to fight back, and if the Democrats don’t start saying it, why would those people feel they’re there for us, and if those people don’t feel it, they won’t vote for us, and Donald Trump will win. | We need to say it like it is, it’s bigger than Flint. It’s all over this country. It’s particularly people of color. It’s particularly people who do not have the money to fight back, and if the Democrats don’t start saying it, why would those people feel they’re there for us, and if those people don’t feel it, they won’t vote for us, and Donald Trump will win. |
| The Democratic candidates agreed broadly that climate change poses a significant threat to the planet, but clashed sharply over how boldly the nation should address it. | The Democratic candidates agreed broadly that climate change poses a significant threat to the planet, but clashed sharply over how boldly the nation should address it. |
| Some of the more moderate contenders, including Mr. Hickenlooper and Mr. Delaney, took issue with the Green New Deal, a far-reaching climate proposal supported by some of the contenders onstage including Ms. Warren. | Some of the more moderate contenders, including Mr. Hickenlooper and Mr. Delaney, took issue with the Green New Deal, a far-reaching climate proposal supported by some of the contenders onstage including Ms. Warren. |
| Ms. Warren suggested that Democrats unwilling to support sweeping proposals sound like Republicans. | Ms. Warren suggested that Democrats unwilling to support sweeping proposals sound like Republicans. |
| “What you want to do instead is find the Republican talking point of a made up piece of some other part and say, ‘Oh, we don’t really have to do anything,’” Ms. Warren said. “That’s the problem we’ve got in Washington right now.” | “What you want to do instead is find the Republican talking point of a made up piece of some other part and say, ‘Oh, we don’t really have to do anything,’” Ms. Warren said. “That’s the problem we’ve got in Washington right now.” |
| “I get a little bit tired of Democrats afraid of big ideas,” Mr. Sanders added. “Republicans are not afraid of big ideas.” | “I get a little bit tired of Democrats afraid of big ideas,” Mr. Sanders added. “Republicans are not afraid of big ideas.” |
| Mr. Bullock suggested that some of the more liberal contenders onstage were overlooking workers in their push toward a more green economy. | Mr. Bullock suggested that some of the more liberal contenders onstage were overlooking workers in their push toward a more green economy. |
| “As we transition to this clean energy economy, you have to recognize there are folks that have spent their whole lives powering our country, and far too often Democrats sound like they’re part of the problem,” Mr. Bullock said. | “As we transition to this clean energy economy, you have to recognize there are folks that have spent their whole lives powering our country, and far too often Democrats sound like they’re part of the problem,” Mr. Bullock said. |
| Mr. Sanders insisted that he supported a “just transition” that would protect workers. | Mr. Sanders insisted that he supported a “just transition” that would protect workers. |
| After the latest commercial break, the debate turned to a topic that polls show Democratic voters are obsessed with: beating President Trump. | After the latest commercial break, the debate turned to a topic that polls show Democratic voters are obsessed with: beating President Trump. |
| Mr. Hickenlooper was asked about his past warning that embracing socialism, and Mr. Sanders in particular, would doom the Democratic Party. He hesitated to attack Mr. Sanders personally but whacked at his policies. | Mr. Hickenlooper was asked about his past warning that embracing socialism, and Mr. Sanders in particular, would doom the Democratic Party. He hesitated to attack Mr. Sanders personally but whacked at his policies. |
| “That is a disaster at the ballot box. You might as well FedEx the election to Donald Trump,” Mr. Hickenlooper said, citing the Medicare for All plan that would eliminate private insurance for 180 million Americans. | “That is a disaster at the ballot box. You might as well FedEx the election to Donald Trump,” Mr. Hickenlooper said, citing the Medicare for All plan that would eliminate private insurance for 180 million Americans. |
| Mr. Sanders responded: “The truth is that every credible poll that I have seen has me beating Donald Trump!” To which Mr. Ryan interjected: “Hillary Clinton was winning in the polls, too!” | Mr. Sanders responded: “The truth is that every credible poll that I have seen has me beating Donald Trump!” To which Mr. Ryan interjected: “Hillary Clinton was winning in the polls, too!” |
| Several of the candidates made impassioned cases for more robust gun control measures and for reining in the National Rifle Association. | Several of the candidates made impassioned cases for more robust gun control measures and for reining in the National Rifle Association. |
| Mr. Buttigieg, 37, referenced his experience as a member of a younger generation to make an urgent case for gun reform. | Mr. Buttigieg, 37, referenced his experience as a member of a younger generation to make an urgent case for gun reform. |
| “This is the exact same conversation we have been having when I was in high school,” he said. “I was a junior when the Columbine shooting happened. I am the first generation to see school shootings. We have produced the second generation.” | “This is the exact same conversation we have been having when I was in high school,” he said. “I was a junior when the Columbine shooting happened. I am the first generation to see school shootings. We have produced the second generation.” |
| Other candidates who have not always been staunch advocates of gun control stressed that today they want to see stricter measures. | Other candidates who have not always been staunch advocates of gun control stressed that today they want to see stricter measures. |
| “I come from one of the most rural states in America,” Mr. Sanders said, asked about a past statement expressing doubt about the impact of gun control measures. “I have a D-minus voting record from the NRA and as president I suspect it will be an F record. What I believe we have got to do is have the guts to finally take on the N.R.A.” | “I come from one of the most rural states in America,” Mr. Sanders said, asked about a past statement expressing doubt about the impact of gun control measures. “I have a D-minus voting record from the NRA and as president I suspect it will be an F record. What I believe we have got to do is have the guts to finally take on the N.R.A.” |
| Mr. Bullock noted his personal connections to both sides of the issue. | Mr. Bullock noted his personal connections to both sides of the issue. |
| “I’m a gun owner, I hunt,” he said. “Like far too many people in America, I have been personally impacted by gun violence. Had an 11-year-old nephew, Jeremy, shot and killed on a playground. We need to start looking at this as a public health issue, not a political issue. I agree with Senator Klobuchar. It is the N.R.A.” | |
| After extensive exchanges on health care, the debate turned to immigration and whether crossing the border should be decriminalized. | After extensive exchanges on health care, the debate turned to immigration and whether crossing the border should be decriminalized. |
| "When I am president, illegally crossing the border will still be illegal,” Mr. Buttigieg said. “We can argue over the finer points of which parts should be handled by civil law and criminal law.” | "When I am president, illegally crossing the border will still be illegal,” Mr. Buttigieg said. “We can argue over the finer points of which parts should be handled by civil law and criminal law.” |
| Ms. Warren argued for fully decriminalizing border crossing, saying of Mr. Trump, “It’s what gives him the ability to lock up people at our borders.” | Ms. Warren argued for fully decriminalizing border crossing, saying of Mr. Trump, “It’s what gives him the ability to lock up people at our borders.” |
| Mr. O’Rourke said he would decriminalize, adding, “I expect that people who come here follow our laws and we reserve the right to criminally prosecute them.” | Mr. O’Rourke said he would decriminalize, adding, “I expect that people who come here follow our laws and we reserve the right to criminally prosecute them.” |
| Two of the more centrist contenders onstage, Mr. Bullock and Mr. Ryan, ripped into the immigration proposals advocated by Ms. Warren and Mr. Sanders. Mr. Bullock warned that the debate was only going to help President Trump, who has shown a penchant for mobilizing his base on the issue of immigration. | Two of the more centrist contenders onstage, Mr. Bullock and Mr. Ryan, ripped into the immigration proposals advocated by Ms. Warren and Mr. Sanders. Mr. Bullock warned that the debate was only going to help President Trump, who has shown a penchant for mobilizing his base on the issue of immigration. |
| “You are playing into Donald Trump’s hands,” Mr. Bullock said to Ms. Warren in an exchange about decriminalizing border crossings, something she supports. | “You are playing into Donald Trump’s hands,” Mr. Bullock said to Ms. Warren in an exchange about decriminalizing border crossings, something she supports. |
| Mr. Ryan made a robust case against decriminalizing border crossings, as well as against providing government health care to undocumented people, another proposal other Democrats onstage support. | Mr. Ryan made a robust case against decriminalizing border crossings, as well as against providing government health care to undocumented people, another proposal other Democrats onstage support. |
| “Everyone else in America is paying for their health care,” he said. “I don’t think it’s a stretch for us to ask undocumented people in the country to also pay for health care.” | “Everyone else in America is paying for their health care,” he said. “I don’t think it’s a stretch for us to ask undocumented people in the country to also pay for health care.” |
| The opening section of the debate featured a deeply substantive discussion of health care, one of the issues with the largest gulf between the Democratic field. | The opening section of the debate featured a deeply substantive discussion of health care, one of the issues with the largest gulf between the Democratic field. |
| On the left, Mr. Sanders and Ms. Warren embraced Medicare for All. The rest of the field, like Mr. Buttigieg and Mr. Bullock, took more moderate positions. | On the left, Mr. Sanders and Ms. Warren embraced Medicare for All. The rest of the field, like Mr. Buttigieg and Mr. Bullock, took more moderate positions. |
| “I just have a better way to do this,” Ms. Klobuchar said, after she was asked to respond to past remarks from Ms. Warren that those who do not want to fully overhaul the current system are “spineless.” | “I just have a better way to do this,” Ms. Klobuchar said, after she was asked to respond to past remarks from Ms. Warren that those who do not want to fully overhaul the current system are “spineless.” |
| As some moderates onstage warned that Republicans would attack the Democrats for proposing major “Medicare for all” programs, Mr. Buttigieg said that Democrats should press on with their ideas. | As some moderates onstage warned that Republicans would attack the Democrats for proposing major “Medicare for all” programs, Mr. Buttigieg said that Democrats should press on with their ideas. |
| “It’s time to stop worrying about what the Republicans will say,” he said to applause. “If it’s true that if we embrace a far left agenda, they’re going to say we’re a bunch of crazy socialists. If we embrace a conservative agenda, you know what they’re going to do? They’re going to say we’re a bunch of crazy socialists. So let’s just stand up for the right policy and go up there and defend it.” | “It’s time to stop worrying about what the Republicans will say,” he said to applause. “If it’s true that if we embrace a far left agenda, they’re going to say we’re a bunch of crazy socialists. If we embrace a conservative agenda, you know what they’re going to do? They’re going to say we’re a bunch of crazy socialists. So let’s just stand up for the right policy and go up there and defend it.” |
| He went on to pitch his “Medicare for all who want it” health care program, which would allow the public to opt into government coverage as an option. | He went on to pitch his “Medicare for all who want it” health care program, which would allow the public to opt into government coverage as an option. |
| Mr. Ryan, who represents a blue-collar slice of Ohio, clashed with Mr. Sanders over the question of how Medicare for All would affect union members who like their health care plans.” | Mr. Ryan, who represents a blue-collar slice of Ohio, clashed with Mr. Sanders over the question of how Medicare for All would affect union members who like their health care plans.” |
| You don’t know that,” Mr. Ryan interjected when Mr. Sanders argued that his plan would provide better, more comprehensive coverage. | You don’t know that,” Mr. Ryan interjected when Mr. Sanders argued that his plan would provide better, more comprehensive coverage. |
| “I do know,” Mr. Sanders replied. “I wrote the damn bill.” | “I do know,” Mr. Sanders replied. “I wrote the damn bill.” |
| The first question of the debate went to Mr. Sanders, who was asked about Mr. Delaney’s accusation in his opening statement that his push for Medicare for All would re-elect President Trump. | The first question of the debate went to Mr. Sanders, who was asked about Mr. Delaney’s accusation in his opening statement that his push for Medicare for All would re-elect President Trump. |
| “You’re wrong!” Mr. Sanders said. | “You’re wrong!” Mr. Sanders said. |
| The audience cheered. | The audience cheered. |
| Mr. Sanders went on to outline his position and highlight the debate’s proximity to Canada. | Mr. Sanders went on to outline his position and highlight the debate’s proximity to Canada. |
| “Five minutes away from here, John, is a country called Canada. They guarantee health care to every man, woman and child as a human right. They spend half of what we spend and by the way, when you end up in a hospital in Canada, you come out with no bill at all,” Mr. Sanders said. | “Five minutes away from here, John, is a country called Canada. They guarantee health care to every man, woman and child as a human right. They spend half of what we spend and by the way, when you end up in a hospital in Canada, you come out with no bill at all,” Mr. Sanders said. |
| Mr. Delaney argued against Medicare for All, which would phase out the private insurance industry. “We don’t have to go around and be the party of subtraction,” he said. | Mr. Delaney argued against Medicare for All, which would phase out the private insurance industry. “We don’t have to go around and be the party of subtraction,” he said. |
| Ms. Warren, who along with Mr. Sanders supports Medicare for All, jumped in to side with Mr. Sanders against Mr. Delaney. | Ms. Warren, who along with Mr. Sanders supports Medicare for All, jumped in to side with Mr. Sanders against Mr. Delaney. |
| “We are the Democrats,” Ms. Warren said. “We should stop using Republican talking points.” | “We are the Democrats,” Ms. Warren said. “We should stop using Republican talking points.” |
| Mr. Bullock: describes himself as a governor of a red state (Montana) who is a “pro-choice, pro-union, populist” Democrat who can win Trump states. | Mr. Bullock: describes himself as a governor of a red state (Montana) who is a “pro-choice, pro-union, populist” Democrat who can win Trump states. |
| Ms. Williamson: argues that “conventional politics is part of the problem” as she pitches her unconventional candidacy. | Ms. Williamson: argues that “conventional politics is part of the problem” as she pitches her unconventional candidacy. |
| Mr. Delaney: criticizes Mr. Sanders and Ms. Warren as too liberal and warns that if the Democratic Party lurches too far left, Democrats will lose. | Mr. Delaney: criticizes Mr. Sanders and Ms. Warren as too liberal and warns that if the Democratic Party lurches too far left, Democrats will lose. |
| Mr. Ryan: decries a “broken” partisan political system and promises “solutions that are bold, that are realistic.” | Mr. Ryan: decries a “broken” partisan political system and promises “solutions that are bold, that are realistic.” |
| Mr. Hickenlooper: hits Mr. Sanders and Ms. Warren as well and says he is more “pragmatic.” | Mr. Hickenlooper: hits Mr. Sanders and Ms. Warren as well and says he is more “pragmatic.” |
| Ms. Klobuchar: contrasts herself with President Trump and says, “I have had it with the racist attacks.” | Ms. Klobuchar: contrasts herself with President Trump and says, “I have had it with the racist attacks.” |
| Mr. O’Rourke: calls on the United States to stand up for human rights and national unity. | Mr. O’Rourke: calls on the United States to stand up for human rights and national unity. |
| Mr. Buttigieg: warns “our country is running out of time” and that economic problems, war and climate change are threatening the future of the nation. | Mr. Buttigieg: warns “our country is running out of time” and that economic problems, war and climate change are threatening the future of the nation. |
| Ms. Warren: attacks Mr. Trump as a president who “disgraces the office” and promises “big structural change.” | Ms. Warren: attacks Mr. Trump as a president who “disgraces the office” and promises “big structural change.” |
| Mr. Sanders: criticizes big tech companies like Amazon and the fossil fuel industry, and promises to “transform our economy.” | Mr. Sanders: criticizes big tech companies like Amazon and the fossil fuel industry, and promises to “transform our economy.” |
| Reported and written by Katie Glueck and Shane Goldmacher. | Reported and written by Katie Glueck and Shane Goldmacher. |