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Democratic Debate Tonight: Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders Face Off Democratic Debate Tonight: Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders Face Off
(32 minutes later)
The large field of Democrats is now down to only two major candidates: former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Because of concerns about the coronavirus, the debate was moved from Phoenix to Washington, D.C.The large field of Democrats is now down to only two major candidates: former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Because of concerns about the coronavirus, the debate was moved from Phoenix to Washington, D.C.
The moderators will be Dana Bash and Jake Tapper from CNN and Ilia Calderón from Univision. The hosts decided last week that the debate will take place without a studio audience.The moderators will be Dana Bash and Jake Tapper from CNN and Ilia Calderón from Univision. The hosts decided last week that the debate will take place without a studio audience.
For the first 40 minutes of the debate it was the most polite of the 2020 campaign. Both Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders appeared far more focused on addressing the coronavirus pandemic than each other. They were not even going after President Trump, the man each of them aims to replace.
But it couldn’t last.
Mr. Biden got asked why, as he stated earlier, Americans in the midst of a national pandemic aren’t interested in the political revolution promised by Mr. Sanders.
“We have problems we have to solve now. Now,” Mr. Biden said. “What’s the revolution going to do? Disrupt everything in the meantime?”
Mr. Sanders responded by attacking the entire American political, health care and capitalist systems, before pivoting to whacking Mr. Biden for benefiting a super PAC.
“I won’t give you a break on this one,” Mr. Sanders said. “You condemn super PACs. A super PAC is running negative ads.”
Mr. Biden shot back.
“Speaking of negative ads, my lord Bernie, you’re running an ad saying I’m opposed to social security. It’s a flat lie,” Mr. Biden said.
Asked about what steps Mr. Biden, 77, and Mr. Sanders, 78, were taking to avoid contracting coronavirus, they touted their canceled events, heavy use of hand sanitizer and regular hand washing — not to mention their intentional lack of a handshake at the start of the debate.
“I am using a lot of soap and hand sanitizers,” Mr. Sanders said.
“I wash my hands I don’t know how many times a day with hot water and soap,” Mr. Biden said. They were not making light. Mr. Biden noted he tries not to touch his face. Mr. Sanders said his campaign staff are now working from home.
The introduction to the question, which was posed to Mr. Sanders, included that he had had a heart attack last October. Mr. Biden began his answer by noting, “Fortunately, I don’t have any of the underlying conditions” that had been previously mentioned.
Mr. Biden broke some news from the debate stage, saying he had raised $33 million so far this month — by far the biggest sum of the campaign for him.
Mr. Biden said that undocumented immigrants should not, “under any circumstances,” be punished for seeking medical treatment amid the coronavirus crisis.
“Anyone who shows up to be tested for coronavirus or gets coronavirus” would “be held harmless,” Mr. Biden said, going on to add, “There are certain things you cannot deport an undocumented alien — an undocumented person for.”
Mr. Biden said for even the “xenophobic” people in the country “it’s even in their interest” for undocumented people to seek proper medical care.
It is one of the fundamental divides between Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders.
The former vice president believes that once President Trump is defeated and gone from office, the nation can restore a state of normalcy. The Vermont senator believes that Mr. Trump’s exit is one of the first steps of a political revolution.
That split was on vivid display in Sunday’s debate as the two Democrats disagreed over how they would handle the exploding coronavirus pandemic. Mr. Sanders used the moment to pitch the need for his systemic overhaul of health care and implementation of a government-run “Medicare for all” system. Mr. Biden was almost singularly focused on the immediate crisis at hand.
“People are looking for results,” Mr. Biden said. “Not a revolution.”
But over and over in the early going, Mr. Sanders tried to pan out beyond the immediate national emergency. He mentioned that America spends vastly more than other countries on health care and yet is more vulnerable now.
“How in God’s name does it happen?” Mr. Sanders said. The answer, he offered, is a systemic failure that Medicare for all would solve.
“It goes without saying that as a nation we have to respond as forcefully as we can to the current crisis. But it is not good enough not to be understanding how we got here and where we want to go into the future,” Mr. Sanders said.
At one point, Mr. Sanders took a show at Mr. Biden and who was financing his campaign. “The trick is, do we have the guts to take on the health care industry, some of which is funding the vice president’s campaign,” he said.
Mr. Biden tried to move past the slight.
“I don’t want to get into a back and forth about our politics here,” Mr. Biden said.
Mr. Biden said the country will need a financial bailout to rescue its major industries as the economy contracts during the coronavirus fallout, but said Trump administration policy will make doing one more difficult.
“What I would do is make it clear to the world and make it clear to the United States that we are going to have to have a major, major, major bailout package that we do not reward corporations. We reward individuals who in fact are reel put to the test here.”
But Mr. Biden then made an agriculture reference: “The problem is the policies in this administration economically have eaten a lot of our seed corn here,” he said.
Aware of how unpopular the 2008 Wall Street bailout remains — and that Mr. Sanders voted against it — Mr. Biden sought to explain how a bailout would help middle class people.
“We’re going to have to not only deal with the immediate crisis, which is the most critical now to let people know their mortgage is going to be paid,” he said. “Their rents are going to be paid. They are going to have child care. They are going to make sure all the medical bills are cared for relating to this. We have to go beyond that.”
Mr. Sanders reiterated his opposition to the 2008 bailout and explained why he voted against it.
“I said this to the secretary of the Treasury,” he said. “‘You want a bailout, that’s fine. Have your friends pay for it. Not working people.’”
Mr. Biden then made a rare admission of a point in which he disagreed with Obama administration policy.
“I agree with Bernie,” he said. “Someone should have gone to jail. That was the big disagreement I had.”
Both candidates said they would use the United States military to help the nation deal with the coronavirus pandemic.Both candidates said they would use the United States military to help the nation deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
“I would call up the military now,” Mr. Biden said. “They have the capacity to provide the surge help that hospitals need and is needed across the nation.”“I would call up the military now,” Mr. Biden said. “They have the capacity to provide the surge help that hospitals need and is needed across the nation.”
Mr. Sanders was slightly less direct but agreed.Mr. Sanders was slightly less direct but agreed.
“Using the National Guard is clearly something that needs to be done,” Mr. Sanders said, before pivoting to a plea to help workers, like those in restaurants, who will lose work or pay because of the forthcoming coronavirus-related economic slowdown.“Using the National Guard is clearly something that needs to be done,” Mr. Sanders said, before pivoting to a plea to help workers, like those in restaurants, who will lose work or pay because of the forthcoming coronavirus-related economic slowdown.
Mr. Sanders, a vocal critic of gaps in the American health care system and an advocate of a sweeping “Medicare for all” single-payer program, said the coronavirus pandemic underscored the problems of the current system.Mr. Sanders, a vocal critic of gaps in the American health care system and an advocate of a sweeping “Medicare for all” single-payer program, said the coronavirus pandemic underscored the problems of the current system.
“In the midst of this epidemic, you have people in the pharmaceutical industry saying, wow, what an opportunity to make a fortune,” he said. “So the word has got to go out. I certainly would do this as president. You don’t worry. People of America, do not worry about the cost of prescription drugs.”“In the midst of this epidemic, you have people in the pharmaceutical industry saying, wow, what an opportunity to make a fortune,” he said. “So the word has got to go out. I certainly would do this as president. You don’t worry. People of America, do not worry about the cost of prescription drugs.”
But Mr. Biden noted that a government-run health care system had not helped in Italy, where the outbreak has been particularly severe and has overrun the health care system.But Mr. Biden noted that a government-run health care system had not helped in Italy, where the outbreak has been particularly severe and has overrun the health care system.
“That would not solve the problem at all,” Mr. Biden said of Medicare for all, arguing that the issue at hand is the virus, not insurance co-pays.“That would not solve the problem at all,” Mr. Biden said of Medicare for all, arguing that the issue at hand is the virus, not insurance co-pays.
Mr. Sanders, who argued that without Medicare for all Americans wouldn’t receive comprehensive care, also leveled a mild criticism of Mr. Biden’s campaign, adding, “the trick is, do we have the guts to take on the health care industry, some of which is funding the vice president’s campaign. Do we have the courage to take on the executives at the prescription drug industry. Some of whom are funding his campaign.”
Mr. Biden made clear he didn’t want to get into a sharper clash: “I don’t want to get into a back and forth about our politics here.” He reiterated that his plan accounts for the national emergency posed by the coronavirus, and throughout the exchange, cited a plan he has rolled out to address the crisis.
“Nobody will pay for anything having to do with the crisis,” he said at another point in the exchange. “This is a national emergency. This isn’t a question of whether or not this is something that could be covered by insurance or anything else. We out of the treasury are going to pay for this. It’s a national emergency. That’s what my plan calls for.”
Mr. Biden declined to directly answer a question of whether he was in favor of an immediate national quarantine.Mr. Biden declined to directly answer a question of whether he was in favor of an immediate national quarantine.
He said he would prefer to gather experts in the White House Situation Room to decide a course of action.He said he would prefer to gather experts in the White House Situation Room to decide a course of action.
The question was not immediately addressed to Mr. Sanders.The question was not immediately addressed to Mr. Sanders.
Jake Tapper, one of the CNN moderators, teed up Mr. Biden to attack President Trump for claiming on Friday that he doesn’t take responsibility for the pandemic in America, and Mr. Biden passed.Jake Tapper, one of the CNN moderators, teed up Mr. Biden to attack President Trump for claiming on Friday that he doesn’t take responsibility for the pandemic in America, and Mr. Biden passed.
Instead he pivoted to offering solutions.Instead he pivoted to offering solutions.
“The present system cannot handle the surge that is likely to come,” Mr. Biden said. “We should be planning where we are going to put these temporary hospitals.”“The present system cannot handle the surge that is likely to come,” Mr. Biden said. “We should be planning where we are going to put these temporary hospitals.”
Mr. Sanders, when it was his turn, took a shot at America’s for-profit health care system and did not criticize Mr. Trump or Mr. Biden.Mr. Sanders, when it was his turn, took a shot at America’s for-profit health care system and did not criticize Mr. Trump or Mr. Biden.
“Let’s be honest and understand that this coronavirus pandemic exposes the incredible weakness and dysfunctionality of our current health care system,” Mr. Sanders said.“Let’s be honest and understand that this coronavirus pandemic exposes the incredible weakness and dysfunctionality of our current health care system,” Mr. Sanders said.
The debate began on the topic dominating the headlines and the world: the coronavirus.The debate began on the topic dominating the headlines and the world: the coronavirus.
Mr. Biden spoke first and called the crisis “bigger than any one of us” and called for a “national rallying” as he outlined the steps he would take, including economic and health care steps he would take to mitigate the crisis.Mr. Biden spoke first and called the crisis “bigger than any one of us” and called for a “national rallying” as he outlined the steps he would take, including economic and health care steps he would take to mitigate the crisis.
Mr. Sanders addressed Mr. Trump immediately, accusing him of “blabbering” and confusing the public.Mr. Sanders addressed Mr. Trump immediately, accusing him of “blabbering” and confusing the public.
“Firstly, whether or not I’m president, we have to shut this president up right now,” Mr. Sanders said. He called it an “unprecedented moment” in the country and mentioned his support for “Medicare for all” but was more focused on the immediate crisis.“Firstly, whether or not I’m president, we have to shut this president up right now,” Mr. Sanders said. He called it an “unprecedented moment” in the country and mentioned his support for “Medicare for all” but was more focused on the immediate crisis.
Mr. Biden and then Mr. Sanders have taken the stage in the CNN debate studio, and they quickly answered one question looming over the debate: In this moment of social distancing, would they shake hands?Mr. Biden and then Mr. Sanders have taken the stage in the CNN debate studio, and they quickly answered one question looming over the debate: In this moment of social distancing, would they shake hands?
Of course not.Of course not.
Instead, Mr. Biden lifted his left elbow and moved toward Mr. Sanders, who bumped his rival with his right elbow.Instead, Mr. Biden lifted his left elbow and moved toward Mr. Sanders, who bumped his rival with his right elbow.
They are now at their lecterns — six feet apart.They are now at their lecterns — six feet apart.
Mr. Biden has moved from faltering candidate to dominant front-runner in a dizzyingly quick time span, and his allies are sounding confident notes as the race moves into big, delegate-rich states like Florida and Ohio in primaries on Tuesday.Mr. Biden has moved from faltering candidate to dominant front-runner in a dizzyingly quick time span, and his allies are sounding confident notes as the race moves into big, delegate-rich states like Florida and Ohio in primaries on Tuesday.
But first, Mr. Biden faces a one-on-one debate against Mr. Sanders — and throughout this campaign, the former vice president has struggled at times in the debate stage spotlight. While in several recent contests, candidates have trained their fire on other contenders, now Mr. Biden will share the scrutiny with just one other opponent onstage after a dramatic winnowing of the field.But first, Mr. Biden faces a one-on-one debate against Mr. Sanders — and throughout this campaign, the former vice president has struggled at times in the debate stage spotlight. While in several recent contests, candidates have trained their fire on other contenders, now Mr. Biden will share the scrutiny with just one other opponent onstage after a dramatic winnowing of the field.
Mr. Biden’s supporters say that he is stronger in formats that allow him more time to make his point — televised town halls, for instance.Mr. Biden’s supporters say that he is stronger in formats that allow him more time to make his point — televised town halls, for instance.
But Mr. Sanders will also have plenty of time to press Mr. Biden on the liberal priorities that the Vermont senator holds dear. Can Mr. Biden hold his own and advance a forward-looking agenda, or will he grow defensive under pressure? And more critically, can he deliver a commanding performance that reassures Democrats as he surges toward the nomination? Or will he stumble and stoke doubts?But Mr. Sanders will also have plenty of time to press Mr. Biden on the liberal priorities that the Vermont senator holds dear. Can Mr. Biden hold his own and advance a forward-looking agenda, or will he grow defensive under pressure? And more critically, can he deliver a commanding performance that reassures Democrats as he surges toward the nomination? Or will he stumble and stoke doubts?
The escalating global health emergency caused by the coronavirus outbreak has rendered what was once a must-watch occasion into an out of place afterthought.The escalating global health emergency caused by the coronavirus outbreak has rendered what was once a must-watch occasion into an out of place afterthought.
Debates are often predictable affairs, with telegraphed attack lines that candidates preview for days ahead of the event. But Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders have been forced to cancel public events in recent days, and have spent less time fighting among themselves than critiquing President Trump’s coronavirus response.Debates are often predictable affairs, with telegraphed attack lines that candidates preview for days ahead of the event. But Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders have been forced to cancel public events in recent days, and have spent less time fighting among themselves than critiquing President Trump’s coronavirus response.
Even Sunday, the debate was happening against a backdrop of news that threatened to overwhelm its importance — the Federal Reserve took the drastic step of cutting interest rates to zero, New York City shut down public schools and states such as Ohio and Illinois have announced that all bars and restaurants will be closed to the public, with Massachusetts and California having also announced similar bans.Even Sunday, the debate was happening against a backdrop of news that threatened to overwhelm its importance — the Federal Reserve took the drastic step of cutting interest rates to zero, New York City shut down public schools and states such as Ohio and Illinois have announced that all bars and restaurants will be closed to the public, with Massachusetts and California having also announced similar bans.
This could upend the night’s proceedings. Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders will have to be ready to address events as they happen in real time. It could also, for Mr. Sanders, make attacking Mr. Biden more difficult, as Democrats yearn for unity and focus their ire on a general election matchup with Mr. Trump.This could upend the night’s proceedings. Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders will have to be ready to address events as they happen in real time. It could also, for Mr. Sanders, make attacking Mr. Biden more difficult, as Democrats yearn for unity and focus their ire on a general election matchup with Mr. Trump.
Mr. Sanders’s decision to stay in the presidential race after a disastrous showing in last week’s primaries was partly tied to this debate.Mr. Sanders’s decision to stay in the presidential race after a disastrous showing in last week’s primaries was partly tied to this debate.
His advisers and supporters have pointed to it as an opportunity for him to fully contrast his ideas against Mr. Biden’s — particularly since the former vice president has had consistent flubs in previous debates. However, there is some disagreement about what tone Mr. Sanders will strike in this debate, given his slim electoral chances.His advisers and supporters have pointed to it as an opportunity for him to fully contrast his ideas against Mr. Biden’s — particularly since the former vice president has had consistent flubs in previous debates. However, there is some disagreement about what tone Mr. Sanders will strike in this debate, given his slim electoral chances.
The most die-hard supporters want him to savage Mr. Biden personally and politically, a last chance to revive the primary fight between the party’s moderate and progressive ideological wings.The most die-hard supporters want him to savage Mr. Biden personally and politically, a last chance to revive the primary fight between the party’s moderate and progressive ideological wings.
But this seems unlikely — Mr. Sanders has treated Mr. Biden fairly cordially throughout the primary, and has consistently pledged to support and campaign for whomever is the Democratic nominee. Mr. Sanders is more likely to prod Mr. Biden in the hope of winning concessions on key progressive issues such as climate change and health care.But this seems unlikely — Mr. Sanders has treated Mr. Biden fairly cordially throughout the primary, and has consistently pledged to support and campaign for whomever is the Democratic nominee. Mr. Sanders is more likely to prod Mr. Biden in the hope of winning concessions on key progressive issues such as climate change and health care.
From the beginning of Sunday’s event, it should become clear which path Mr. Sanders is taking: the no-holds-barred approach to blunt Mr. Biden’s sense of inevitability, or a more conciliatory tone.From the beginning of Sunday’s event, it should become clear which path Mr. Sanders is taking: the no-holds-barred approach to blunt Mr. Biden’s sense of inevitability, or a more conciliatory tone.
Mr. Biden, seeking to shore up support among progressive voters, now backs making public colleges and universities tuition-free for many students, adopting a version of a plan Mr. Sanders has championed, his campaign announced on Sunday.Mr. Biden, seeking to shore up support among progressive voters, now backs making public colleges and universities tuition-free for many students, adopting a version of a plan Mr. Sanders has championed, his campaign announced on Sunday.
The policy shift, which came hours before Mr. Biden was set to debate Mr. Sanders one on one, is Mr. Biden’s latest overture to the supporters of his current and former rivals as he moves closer to the Democratic nomination. On Friday night, he also announced that he supported a plan by Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts to overhaul the consumer bankruptcy system. The Biden campaign gave the Warren team a heads-up on the bankruptcy proposal move, but has not been in touch with the Sanders camp in regard to the education plan, a senior Biden official said.The policy shift, which came hours before Mr. Biden was set to debate Mr. Sanders one on one, is Mr. Biden’s latest overture to the supporters of his current and former rivals as he moves closer to the Democratic nomination. On Friday night, he also announced that he supported a plan by Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts to overhaul the consumer bankruptcy system. The Biden campaign gave the Warren team a heads-up on the bankruptcy proposal move, but has not been in touch with the Sanders camp in regard to the education plan, a senior Biden official said.
Mr. Biden, the former vice president, supports making public colleges and universities tuition-free for students from families with incomes up to $125,000, his campaign said.Mr. Biden, the former vice president, supports making public colleges and universities tuition-free for students from families with incomes up to $125,000, his campaign said.
In taking that position, he is embracing a past proposal from Mr. Sanders, though one that is less expansive than what Mr. Sanders is currently advocating. Mr. Biden’s proposal is similar to one offered in the last presidential race by Hillary Clinton, who in the summer of 2016 proposed tuition-free college for many students after her primary battle with Mr. Sanders.In taking that position, he is embracing a past proposal from Mr. Sanders, though one that is less expansive than what Mr. Sanders is currently advocating. Mr. Biden’s proposal is similar to one offered in the last presidential race by Hillary Clinton, who in the summer of 2016 proposed tuition-free college for many students after her primary battle with Mr. Sanders.
Mr. Sanders is set to use his platform Sunday to argue that Mr. Biden, while winning a larger share of Democratic voters up to this point, has lost the ideas primary. Exit polling frequently cited by progressives shows that large-scale policies such as Medicare for all remain popular with voters, even if voters are choosing to back Mr. Biden, a candidate who has rejected those policies.Mr. Sanders is set to use his platform Sunday to argue that Mr. Biden, while winning a larger share of Democratic voters up to this point, has lost the ideas primary. Exit polling frequently cited by progressives shows that large-scale policies such as Medicare for all remain popular with voters, even if voters are choosing to back Mr. Biden, a candidate who has rejected those policies.
With that in mind, Mr. Sanders is widely expected to push Mr. Biden on these issues. The senator’s strategy is twofold.With that in mind, Mr. Sanders is widely expected to push Mr. Biden on these issues. The senator’s strategy is twofold.
He wants to make clear to Mr. Biden and the Democratic establishment that progressives will not fold quietly into the night, and that the left will expect the former vice president to take up and champion their issues if he becomes the Democratic nominee.He wants to make clear to Mr. Biden and the Democratic establishment that progressives will not fold quietly into the night, and that the left will expect the former vice president to take up and champion their issues if he becomes the Democratic nominee.
And Mr. Sanders is making a legacy play: He wants voters — even those who didn’t back him — to embrace his ideas, and he wants those policies to become the ground floor of the Democratic platform.And Mr. Sanders is making a legacy play: He wants voters — even those who didn’t back him — to embrace his ideas, and he wants those policies to become the ground floor of the Democratic platform.
The issues most likely to come up: single-payer health care, canceling student loan debt, acute action on climate change (including the Green New Deal) and remaking the judiciary. Interestingly, a Biden-Sanders debate puts less pressure on other policies that have come up in this cycle, such as ending the Senate filibuster and instituting reparations for black Americans. Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders both resisted those policies, even as other candidates embraced them.The issues most likely to come up: single-payer health care, canceling student loan debt, acute action on climate change (including the Green New Deal) and remaking the judiciary. Interestingly, a Biden-Sanders debate puts less pressure on other policies that have come up in this cycle, such as ending the Senate filibuster and instituting reparations for black Americans. Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders both resisted those policies, even as other candidates embraced them.
As the nation grapples with the coronavirus crisis, voters will be looking to Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders for a sense of how they would lead a nation under extreme duress. Sunday night’s debate offers the chance for both men to take the cases they have been making in recent days onto the national stage after the epidemic forced them to pull back from large-scale campaign events.As the nation grapples with the coronavirus crisis, voters will be looking to Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders for a sense of how they would lead a nation under extreme duress. Sunday night’s debate offers the chance for both men to take the cases they have been making in recent days onto the national stage after the epidemic forced them to pull back from large-scale campaign events.
Mr. Sanders, who has issued recommendations — including for the government to offer treatment free of charge and expand anti-hunger initiatives aimed at the poor — has also used the outbreak to push anew for “Medicare for all,” his signature single-payer health care proposal.Mr. Sanders, who has issued recommendations — including for the government to offer treatment free of charge and expand anti-hunger initiatives aimed at the poor — has also used the outbreak to push anew for “Medicare for all,” his signature single-payer health care proposal.
Mr. Biden has unfurled a plan of his own, as well as a “Public Health Advisory Committee” featuring prominent health care leaders, seeking at every turn to “offer a view into how Biden will lead in times of crisis as president,” as one Biden official described a Thursday speech Mr. Biden delivered on the matter. His allies argue that in times of crisis — whether it’s the coronavirus outbreak or, earlier this year, tensions with Iran — Mr. Biden is seen by voters as a steady, experienced hand.Mr. Biden has unfurled a plan of his own, as well as a “Public Health Advisory Committee” featuring prominent health care leaders, seeking at every turn to “offer a view into how Biden will lead in times of crisis as president,” as one Biden official described a Thursday speech Mr. Biden delivered on the matter. His allies argue that in times of crisis — whether it’s the coronavirus outbreak or, earlier this year, tensions with Iran — Mr. Biden is seen by voters as a steady, experienced hand.
His task on Sunday will be to communicate that image to the voters tuning in to the debate.His task on Sunday will be to communicate that image to the voters tuning in to the debate.
For months Mr. Sanders longed for a two-way debate with Mr. Biden. Now that he’s finally got one there’s not much evidence it will be the scorched-earth session Mr. Sanders would need to halt Mr. Biden’s momentum toward the presidential nomination.For months Mr. Sanders longed for a two-way debate with Mr. Biden. Now that he’s finally got one there’s not much evidence it will be the scorched-earth session Mr. Sanders would need to halt Mr. Biden’s momentum toward the presidential nomination.
Early last week, in the final days before Michigan handed Mr. Sanders a devastating defeat, his closest aides grasped onto Sunday night’s debate as a final chance to reshape the 2020 primary.Early last week, in the final days before Michigan handed Mr. Sanders a devastating defeat, his closest aides grasped onto Sunday night’s debate as a final chance to reshape the 2020 primary.
Mr. Biden, they said, would crumble in a one-on-one discussion with Mr. Sanders. Democrats across the country, they said, would see the wisdom of the Sanders way and turn to him as the right choice to defeat Mr. Trump. All it would take is Mr. Sanders delivering a lacerating dissection of Mr. Biden’s record and plans.Mr. Biden, they said, would crumble in a one-on-one discussion with Mr. Sanders. Democrats across the country, they said, would see the wisdom of the Sanders way and turn to him as the right choice to defeat Mr. Trump. All it would take is Mr. Sanders delivering a lacerating dissection of Mr. Biden’s record and plans.
There’s no evidence Mr. Sanders is willing to do that.There’s no evidence Mr. Sanders is willing to do that.
Instead the Vermont senator, his path to the presidential nomination nearly closed off, has continued presenting his critique of the American health care and economic system. In news conferences and during a live stream, Mr. Sanders has opted to make the case against American capitalism instead of attacking Mr. Biden.Instead the Vermont senator, his path to the presidential nomination nearly closed off, has continued presenting his critique of the American health care and economic system. In news conferences and during a live stream, Mr. Sanders has opted to make the case against American capitalism instead of attacking Mr. Biden.
Mr. Biden, meanwhile, has pivoted to attacking Mr. Trump and his administration’s stewardship of the coronavirus pandemic. He’s inviting Sanders supporters into his coalition, no longer attacking his ambitious ideas as unworkable or painting Mr. Sanders as someone guaranteed to lose a general election.Mr. Biden, meanwhile, has pivoted to attacking Mr. Trump and his administration’s stewardship of the coronavirus pandemic. He’s inviting Sanders supporters into his coalition, no longer attacking his ambitious ideas as unworkable or painting Mr. Sanders as someone guaranteed to lose a general election.
That leaves the two candidates onstage each eyeing opponents other than the man standing to his side. For Mr. Biden, it’s the president. For Mr. Sanders, it’s the whole system.That leaves the two candidates onstage each eyeing opponents other than the man standing to his side. For Mr. Biden, it’s the president. For Mr. Sanders, it’s the whole system.
The coronavirus pandemic has brought American political life to a halt. Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders won’t be hitting the campaign trail for a while. Primaries next week in Georgia and in early April in Louisiana are postponed.The coronavirus pandemic has brought American political life to a halt. Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders won’t be hitting the campaign trail for a while. Primaries next week in Georgia and in early April in Louisiana are postponed.
The Democratic National Committee’s debate plan allowed for one more debate in April, if it turned out to be necessary. But given the wholesale shutdown of the political season and the party’s shift toward Mr. Biden since he won the South Carolina primary Feb. 29, it’s now far more likely the nomination will be settled in a month than still being contested.The Democratic National Committee’s debate plan allowed for one more debate in April, if it turned out to be necessary. But given the wholesale shutdown of the political season and the party’s shift toward Mr. Biden since he won the South Carolina primary Feb. 29, it’s now far more likely the nomination will be settled in a month than still being contested.
As it is, Sunday’s debate is a bare-bones operation. It’s taking place in a CNN studio with a skeleton staff, as the cable network and the campaigns have told all but a handful of employees to stay home. The D.N.C. hasn’t arranged a television partner or a host city yet for an April debate — and making arrangements for one is hardly at the front of anyone’s mind at the moment.As it is, Sunday’s debate is a bare-bones operation. It’s taking place in a CNN studio with a skeleton staff, as the cable network and the campaigns have told all but a handful of employees to stay home. The D.N.C. hasn’t arranged a television partner or a host city yet for an April debate — and making arrangements for one is hardly at the front of anyone’s mind at the moment.
Another debate would require Mr. Sanders staying in the race and enough staff members from TV networks and the party being able to work to put on a debate. The extent of the coronavirus outbreak will likely determine whether either of those are possible.Another debate would require Mr. Sanders staying in the race and enough staff members from TV networks and the party being able to work to put on a debate. The extent of the coronavirus outbreak will likely determine whether either of those are possible.
New York officials are considering plans to postpone the state’s presidential primary election from April 28 to June 23, the date of another scheduled statewide primary, in response to the coronavirus outbreak.New York officials are considering plans to postpone the state’s presidential primary election from April 28 to June 23, the date of another scheduled statewide primary, in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
The discussions are underway as two states — Louisiana and Georgia — have already postponed their primaries and other states are weighing various delays or mail-in balloting measures to protect the public from exposure to the illness.The discussions are underway as two states — Louisiana and Georgia — have already postponed their primaries and other states are weighing various delays or mail-in balloting measures to protect the public from exposure to the illness.
Four other states that are scheduled to vote in the presidential primary on Tuesday — Ohio, Arizona, Florida and Illinois — have reconfirmed plans to hold their elections as planned, issuing a joint statement on Friday expressing confidence that ballots can be safely cast.Four other states that are scheduled to vote in the presidential primary on Tuesday — Ohio, Arizona, Florida and Illinois — have reconfirmed plans to hold their elections as planned, issuing a joint statement on Friday expressing confidence that ballots can be safely cast.
In a statement Sunday, the Democratic National Committee said a delay in New York’s election to June 23 would violate its rules requiring that all states hold their primaries by June 9, but added, “We will continue to work with every state party as they adjust their delegate selection plans around coronavirus.”In a statement Sunday, the Democratic National Committee said a delay in New York’s election to June 23 would violate its rules requiring that all states hold their primaries by June 9, but added, “We will continue to work with every state party as they adjust their delegate selection plans around coronavirus.”
The party has said that any rules violation could potentially result in a state losing half its delegates, but would have to be reviewed by the party’s rules and bylaws committee.The party has said that any rules violation could potentially result in a state losing half its delegates, but would have to be reviewed by the party’s rules and bylaws committee.