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Tonight’s Democratic Debate: Live Updates From Houston Tonight’s Democratic Debate: Live Updates From Houston
(32 minutes later)
How to watch: 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern on ABC, Univision and on streaming services.How to watch: 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern on ABC, Univision and on streaming services.
Moderators: The debate will be hosted by George Stephanopoulos, David Muir, Linsey Davis and Jorge Ramos.Moderators: The debate will be hosted by George Stephanopoulos, David Muir, Linsey Davis and Jorge Ramos.
Candidates: Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Kamala Harris, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, the entrepreneur Andrew Yang, Senator Cory Booker, former Representative Beto O’Rourke, Senator Amy Klobuchar and former housing secretary Julián Castro.Candidates: Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Kamala Harris, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, the entrepreneur Andrew Yang, Senator Cory Booker, former Representative Beto O’Rourke, Senator Amy Klobuchar and former housing secretary Julián Castro.
At first the health care coverage included only Mr. Biden, Mr. Sanders and Ms. Warren, to the exclusion of everyone else. Finally ABC’s George Stephanopoulos threw it to Senator Amy Klobuchar, who sought to separate herself from Mr. Sanders and Ms. Warren. Ms. Klobuchar and Ms. Harris got tough questions about their records as prosecutors not being sufficiently progressive — and both largely dodged the specifics in responding.
“That’s not my record,” Ms. Klobuchar said when told that the A.C.L.U. was sour about her record responding to police shootings of black men when she was the district attorney in Minneapolis.
“What changes did we make?” she said. “Go after white collar crimes in a big way. Diversity in office in a big way. Work with the Innocence Project to make sure we do much better with eyewitness I.D.”
Ms. Harris said she “glad you asked me this question,” though mostly avoided answering it, claiming “many distortions” of her record.
Ultimately, she took some ownership of that record. “Was I able to get enough done? Absolutely not,” Ms. Harris said, pitching her new criminal justice plan as ambitious going forward.
After Ms. Klobuchar and Ms. Harris spoke, Mr. Biden made sure to note he became a public defender, leaving unsaid the contrast with the other prosecutors onstage.
One split that’s clear early in the debate is between the fighters and the peacemakers.
Half the candidates onstage want to have a principled fight about policy, and half are trying to present themselves as unifiers.
It’s a divide that encompasses much of the discussion among Democratic voters in early states and now has taken over the debate stage, with Mr. Biden squaring off with Mr. Sanders and Ms. Warren about health care policy.
Others, like Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Buttigieg, Ms. Harris and Mr. Booker — who were excluded from the early food fight on health coverage — sought to portray the fighters as “all that’s wrong” with politics, as Mr. Buttigieg put it.
“I know we cannot sacrifice progress on the altar of purity, because people in my community, they need help right now,” Mr. Booker said.
In his first opportunity to speak, Mr. Castro went aggressively after Mr. Biden, opening with the fact that a fact-check after the last debate showed that Mr. Biden’s health plan “leaves 10 million people uncovered” despite Mr. Biden’s claim otherwise.
As Mr. Biden pushed backed, about whether his plan was an opt-in system, Mr. Castro questioned the 76-year old candidate’s memory.
“Are you forgetting what you said just two minutes ago?’ said Mr. Castro, 44, repeating himself more than once.
Mr. Biden looked taken aback.
Mr. Castro kept going. “If you lose your job, for instance, his health care plan would not automatically enroll you, you would have to opt in. My health care plan would. That’s big difference. I’m fulfilling the legacy of Barack Obama and you’re not.”
“That would be a surprise to him,” Mr. Biden said.
Mr. Buttigieg interjected to play peacemaker, saying the food fight was what people “cannot stand about Washington.”
If the political talk heading into the debate was on the first face-off between Mr. Biden and Ms. Warren, the early fireworks came in exchanges between Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders.
Mr. Biden came out strong attacking Medicare for all and Mr. Sanders’s support for it.
“For a socialist you’ve got a lot more confidence in corporate America than I do,” the former vice president said.
Mr. Sanders shot back: “You know why they’re going bankrupt? Because they suffered a terrible disease, cancer, or heart disease.”
Mr. Biden, whose son Beau died of cancer, flared in anger.
“I know a lot about cancer,” he said. “Let me tell you something. It’s personal to me.”
At first the health care coverage included only Mr. Biden, Mr. Sanders and Ms. Warren, to the exclusion of everyone else. Finally Mr. Stephanopoulos threw it to Ms. Klobuchar, who sought to separate herself from Mr. Sanders and Ms. Warren.
“While Bernie wrote the bill, I read the bill,” Ms. Klobuchar said, saying that eliminating private health insurance is “a bad idea.”“While Bernie wrote the bill, I read the bill,” Ms. Klobuchar said, saying that eliminating private health insurance is “a bad idea.”
Ms. Klobuchar and then Mr. Buttigieg tried to reframe their opposition to Medicare for All in more muscular terms.Ms. Klobuchar and then Mr. Buttigieg tried to reframe their opposition to Medicare for All in more muscular terms.
Mr. Buttigieg went right after the Vermont senator: “The problem, Senator Sanders, with the damn bill that you wrote, and that Senator Warren backs, is that it doesn’t trust the American people. I trust you to choose what makes the most sense for you. Not my way or the high way.” Mr. Buttigieg went right after Mr. Sanders: “The problem, Senator Sanders, with the damn bill that you wrote, and that Senator Warren backs, is that it doesn’t trust the American people. I trust you to choose what makes the most sense for you. Not my way or the high way.”
The opening question, to Mr. Biden, cut to the core of the ideological divide of the party: How ambitious should the Democratic Party be in crafting plans for health care, climate change and raising taxes.The opening question, to Mr. Biden, cut to the core of the ideological divide of the party: How ambitious should the Democratic Party be in crafting plans for health care, climate change and raising taxes.
Mr. Biden choose to focus on health care, where he wants to build on Obamacare while Senators Sanders and Warren want to implement a Medicare for All system. Mr. Biden choose to focus on health care, where he wants to build on the Affordable Care Act while Mr. Sanders and Ms. Warren want to implement a Medicare for All system.
“I think we should have a debate on health care. I think — I know that the senator says she’s for Bernie, well, I’m for Barack,” Mr. Biden said. “I think the Obamacare worked.”“I think we should have a debate on health care. I think — I know that the senator says she’s for Bernie, well, I’m for Barack,” Mr. Biden said. “I think the Obamacare worked.”
Ms. Warren sought to neutralize any forthcoming attacks from Mr. Biden about not respecting the legacy of Mr. Obama. She praised Mr. Obama for the passage of the Affordable Care Act, and said she wants to build on it.Ms. Warren sought to neutralize any forthcoming attacks from Mr. Biden about not respecting the legacy of Mr. Obama. She praised Mr. Obama for the passage of the Affordable Care Act, and said she wants to build on it.
Pressed on how to pay for it, she said, “We pay for it, those at the very top, the richest individuals and the biggest corporations, are going to pay more. And middle class families are going to pay less.”Pressed on how to pay for it, she said, “We pay for it, those at the very top, the richest individuals and the biggest corporations, are going to pay more. And middle class families are going to pay less.”
Ms. Warren refused to get drawn into the question about whether middle-class taxes will increase, returning the issue to whether total cost of health care will increase or not.Ms. Warren refused to get drawn into the question about whether middle-class taxes will increase, returning the issue to whether total cost of health care will increase or not.
Mr. Sanders directly criticized Mr. Biden for his criticism of Medicare for All.Mr. Sanders directly criticized Mr. Biden for his criticism of Medicare for All.
“Let us be clear, Joe, in the United States of America, we have spending twice as much per capita on health care as the Canadians or any other major country on Earth,” Mr. Sanders said.“Let us be clear, Joe, in the United States of America, we have spending twice as much per capita on health care as the Canadians or any other major country on Earth,” Mr. Sanders said.
“This is America,” Mr. Biden shot back.“This is America,” Mr. Biden shot back.
Mr. Castro: Speaks Spanish, shouts out the Texas Southern Tigers and cites Presidents Kennedy, Carter and Obama while placing himself within their political tradition.Mr. Castro: Speaks Spanish, shouts out the Texas Southern Tigers and cites Presidents Kennedy, Carter and Obama while placing himself within their political tradition.
Ms. Klobuchar: Comes with zingers. “Houston we have a problem,” she says. Pitches herself as a truth-teller who could bring people together.Ms. Klobuchar: Comes with zingers. “Houston we have a problem,” she says. Pitches herself as a truth-teller who could bring people together.
Mr. O’Rourke: Goes straight to talking about the El Paso mass shooting, which has transformed the tone of his campaign.Mr. O’Rourke: Goes straight to talking about the El Paso mass shooting, which has transformed the tone of his campaign.
Mr. Booker: Mentions living in the inner city, as in past debates. Pitches the urgency to find unity and common cause in America, and himself as the candidate to do it.Mr. Booker: Mentions living in the inner city, as in past debates. Pitches the urgency to find unity and common cause in America, and himself as the candidate to do it.
Mr. Yang: Wears no tie, again. Laments the focus on money. Says he’ll give away $1,000 per month to 10 families.Mr. Yang: Wears no tie, again. Laments the focus on money. Says he’ll give away $1,000 per month to 10 families.
Mr. Buttigieg: Laughs at Mr. Yang’s proposal. Goes over his bio: Veteran, mayor, Washington outsider. Invokes the unity of day after 9/11/2001. Says that’s what real presidential leadership could do.Mr. Buttigieg: Laughs at Mr. Yang’s proposal. Goes over his bio: Veteran, mayor, Washington outsider. Invokes the unity of day after 9/11/2001. Says that’s what real presidential leadership could do.
Ms. Harris: Speaks directly to camera, addressing President Trump. Says he should be indicted. Then invites him to flip to Fox News. Draws applause from Ms. Warren and Mr. Biden.Ms. Harris: Speaks directly to camera, addressing President Trump. Says he should be indicted. Then invites him to flip to Fox News. Draws applause from Ms. Warren and Mr. Biden.
Mr. Sanders: Sounds hoarse. Says beating Trump is the minimum. “We must do more.” Vows to take on billionaires, raise minimum wage, expand health care and focus on climate.Mr. Sanders: Sounds hoarse. Says beating Trump is the minimum. “We must do more.” Vows to take on billionaires, raise minimum wage, expand health care and focus on climate.
Ms. Warren: Reminds audience she’s from Oklahoma and went to college in Houston. Says the middle class is getting squeezed. Promises to lead the fight to fix the economy.Ms. Warren: Reminds audience she’s from Oklahoma and went to college in Houston. Says the middle class is getting squeezed. Promises to lead the fight to fix the economy.
Mr. Biden: Cites J.F.K. and moonshot, opens with talk of curing cancer. Looks at notes. Talk about other moonshots to take on including climate change. “No longer time to postpone.”Mr. Biden: Cites J.F.K. and moonshot, opens with talk of curing cancer. Looks at notes. Talk about other moonshots to take on including climate change. “No longer time to postpone.”
That’s the word from most, if not all, the Democratic nominees and their campaigns on Thursday, no one wanted to detail exactly how they were preparing to differentiate themselves from each other. In Houston, where several candidates and their staffs happen to be staying at the same hotel in the downtown area, the matchup of Mr. Biden, Mr. Sanders and Ms. Warren is the talk of happy hours and pre-debate events.
But it’s the candidates outside the top three that are promising the most fireworks.
Ms. Harris, Mr. Booker and Mr. O’Rourke are trying to present themselves as the most future-oriented candidates. Ms. Harris is expected to go on offense. Mr. O’Rourke will focus on offering a generational alternative to his establishment rivals, and Mr. Booker is likely to pitch similarly unifying themes.
If that sounds familiar, it’s because Democrats say they want to resist the urge to pit themselves against one another. So how will audiences get differentiating moments? We have three hours of debate to find out.
For months, Ms. Warren has risen through the polls without much interference from the other candidates seeking the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. Rivals praised the plans she offered, even as they chafed at having to always answer questions about them.For months, Ms. Warren has risen through the polls without much interference from the other candidates seeking the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. Rivals praised the plans she offered, even as they chafed at having to always answer questions about them.
That time is near an end.That time is near an end.
There has been a marked shift lately on how others in the field — particularly those far behind her in the polls — approach Ms. Warren, with increasing skepticism about her battery of policy proposals.There has been a marked shift lately on how others in the field — particularly those far behind her in the polls — approach Ms. Warren, with increasing skepticism about her battery of policy proposals.
“This election is not just about our plans, it’s about our heart and gut,” Mr. Booker said Saturday in New Hampshire.“This election is not just about our plans, it’s about our heart and gut,” Mr. Booker said Saturday in New Hampshire.
The tougher questions Ms. Warren will face are about whether she is too liberal to win a general election. Mr. Buttigieg calls for “real solutions, not more polarization” in an Iowa TV advertisement he debuted this week. Ms. Klobuchar said in an interview this week that “you don’t just want to win, you want to win big.”The tougher questions Ms. Warren will face are about whether she is too liberal to win a general election. Mr. Buttigieg calls for “real solutions, not more polarization” in an Iowa TV advertisement he debuted this week. Ms. Klobuchar said in an interview this week that “you don’t just want to win, you want to win big.”
The problem for the low-polling candidates is that Ms. Warren has now established herself as the candidate of ideas — ideas Democrats like. Along the way she has become very popular herself, a figure they may have allowed to become too imposing to take down.The problem for the low-polling candidates is that Ms. Warren has now established herself as the candidate of ideas — ideas Democrats like. Along the way she has become very popular herself, a figure they may have allowed to become too imposing to take down.
In the first debate, Mr. Buttigieg defended his record on race relations at the South Bend Police Department. In the second one, he faded into the background while Ms. Warren and Mr. Sanders owned the conversation about health care.
Now, as his campaign begins spending down his field-leading financial war chest, Mr. Buttigieg’s debate challenge is to shift from curiosity to serious candidate. He’s been a nonentity the first two times Democrats have debated in the presidential primary and he can’t afford a third tepid showing.
The challenge for the 37-year-old is how to present himself as a breath of fresh air and steward for a new generation of politics without getting his hands dirty by attacking others onstage. His contrast with Mr. Biden is implicit — the former vice president is nearly 40 years older — but if he is going to make the argument that he can build a broader coalition than his more liberal opponents, that may require some explaining to a still-skeptical electorate.
If other candidates are itching to go after Ms. Warren, Mr. Sanders has shown no inclination to squabble with the other leading liberal in the race.
At his debate preparations in Colorado this week, Ms. Sanders has focused on what he has been talking about his entire political career: limiting the power of corporations, installing a single-payer health care system and requiring billionaires to pay more to subsidize a broader social safety net.
That’s not likely to draw him into much of a contrast with Ms. Warren, but it may lead him into a fight with Mr. Biden, either as a tag-team partner with Ms. Warren or on his own.
Mr. Biden, aside from ideological differences, is Mr. Sanders’s chief competitor for Democratic primary voters. Their supporters tend to be lower-income, less educated and far less tuned in to the day-to-day machinations of the presidential campaign than those who back candidates like Ms. Warren or Mr. Buttigieg.
So for Mr. Sanders, a clash with Ms. Warren does less good than showcasing his ideological contrast with Mr. Biden and peeling support away from the former vice president.
Unlike many onstage in Houston, the question for Ms. Harris is not whether she can have a breakout moment. She can. She already has. The question — a harder one to answer — is whether she can turn a strong debate performance into sustained political momentum.
Ms. Harris’s first debate takeover of Mr. Biden of his past work with segregationists and busing led to a quick rise in the polls that quickly faded.
In the second debate, Ms. Harris arrived as the subject of attacks herself — most sharply by Representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, who will not be onstage this week — and delivered a more uneven performance.
Ms. Harris has herself among the top-tier candidates but that is the kind of phrase often best left for others to utter. Her mandate on Thursday is to show that to be the case, and then have public polling demonstrate the same.
Our colleague Michael Grynbaum wrote today about ABC’s decision not to delay Thursday’s broadcast, leaving censors helpless to bleep any blurted profanities:
Faced with profligate profanities on the campaign trail — and at least one candidate who publicly threatened to work blue on its airwaves (ahem, Beto O’Rourke) — ABC News issued a warning this week to the 10 Democrats appearing on the debate stage in Houston on Thursday: Keep it clean, folks.
“We wanted to take this opportunity to remind you that, as the debate will air on the ABC broadcast network, we are governed by Federal Communications Commission indecency rules,” Rick Klein, the network’s political director, wrote in a memo forwarded to campaigns by the Democratic Party.
“Candidates should therefore avoid cursing or expletives in accordance with federal law,” Mr. Klein added, presumably sighing deeply.
The fact that the debate will be carried on regular broadcast airwaves — instead of cable — means the network could face penalties from federal regulators if obscenities are uttered.
Jonathan Martin and Astead W. Herndon contributed reporting from Houston.Jonathan Martin and Astead W. Herndon contributed reporting from Houston.