Democratic debate: Who did well and who fought onstage in Atlanta
At the Democratic debate in Atlanta, candidates clashed and sometimes mocked rivals, and pleaded to voters to help them get on the next debate stage.
California Sen. Kamala Harris went after Rep. Tulsi Gabbard after the Hawaii congresswoman stood by her previous criticism of Hillary Clinton, whom she had called a “personification of the rot that has sickened the Democratic Party.”
“I think that it’s unfortunate that we have someone on this stage who is attempting to be the Democratic nominee for president of the United States who, during the Obama administration, spent four years full time on Fox News criticizing President Obama,” Harris said.
The battle over “Medicare for all” arose as South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg raised the issue unprompted, arguing that his policy of “Medicare for all who want it” would be something the American people could unify around. It was a swipe at progressive rivals, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, pushing a more expansive public healthcare system.
Buttigieg, who has been rising in polling, faced attacks — first gentle, then less so — from his rivals over his experience. And former Vice President Joe Biden faced mockery from New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker over his description of marijuana as “a gateway drug.”
The debate started about an hour after a dramatic day of public hearings in the impeachment inquiry of President Trump wrapped up in Washington. The impeachment proceedings dominated the start of the debate. Candidates condemned the president’s actions in the Ukraine scandal. “We have a criminal living in the White House,” Harris said.
Here’s what happened at the Democratic debate:
-
1
Democrats likely “Final Four” candidates offer a measure of diversity: A woman, an openly gay man; two of the oldest men ever to run for president, and the youngest. But missing is any candidate of color.
-
2
The Democratic debate in Atlanta ended with clashes over issues of race and political leadership, and Pete Buttigieg and Joe Biden found themselves in the hot seat.
-
3
Pete Buttigieg takes his turn in the barrel, Joe Biden struggles anew, and Kamala Harris rallies.
-
4
Pete Buttigieg and Tulsi Gabbard went back and forth at the Democratic debate after she accused him of wanting to send U.S. troops to Mexico to combat drug cartels. Buttigieg called her statement “outlandish.”
-
5
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker channeled the frustrations of many African Americans across the country at the debate in Atlanta by saying “black voters are pissed off and they’re worried” about the Democrats’ ability to win the 2020 presidential election.
-
6
Candidates seeking the Democratic presidential nomination signaled Wednesday that there would be sharp changes in U.S. foreign policy if President Trump is denied a second term, vowing to stand up for human rights and take a less friendly approach to autocratic regimes.
-
7
Sen. Cory Booker challenged Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s economic plan, arguing in Wednesday’s Democratic presidential debate that simply increasing taxes on the very rich was not enough.
-
8
Biden criticizes Steyer’s coal-mining investments after billionaire promises to fight climate change
Biden criticizes Steyer’s coal-mining investments after billionaire promises to fight climate change
At Wednesday night’s Democratic presidential debate in Atlanta, billionaire activist Tom Steyer tried to stake out a spot as the leading candidate on climate change — a role that has more or less been up for grabs since Washington Gov.
-
9
Housing issues have gotten short shrift on the campaign trail, but in Wednesday’s Democratic debate the topic got prime airtime.
-
10
South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, ascendant in the polls, faced questions during Wednesday night’s debate about whether his resume qualifies him to be the Democratic nominee.
-
11
Kamala Harris goes after Tulsi Gabbard for her criticism of the Democratic Party, saying she “buddied up to Steve Bannon” to get a meeting with Donald Trump.
-
12
Democrats are split over ‘Medicare for all’ proposal
More Coverage
-
13
Democratic debate: Candidates describe President Trump’s conduct in the Ukraine scandal as criminal.
-
14
The fifth round of Democratic debates kicked off Wednesday night avoiding one of the more awkward elements of the four rounds that preceded it: the too-long string of handshakes.
-
15
Who are the candidates onstage at the Democratic debate? Here’s what to expect from Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg and others at the presidential primary debate in Atlanta.
-
16
Democratic presidential candidates were muted in their reaction to Ambassador Gordon Sondland’s testimony in the impeachment inquiry of President Trump.
-
17
The November Democratic presidential primary debate is Wednesday in Atlanta. What time is it, who is onstage and what can we expect from Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg and the candidates flanking them?
-
18
The Bernie Sanders election machine is powered by the renewed zeal of his followers in the aftermath of his heart attack and the endorsement from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
-
19
A dozen Democratic presidential candidates, including newcomer Deval Patrick, Kamala Harris and Bernie Sanders, descend on Long Beach for a state party convention and Latino forum.
-
20
Kamala Harris is endorsed by the United Farm Workers labor group. Bernie Sanders wins the backing of the Los Angeles teachers union and nationwide nurses union.
-
21
Joe Biden raged at the gun lobby, congressional Republicans and President Trump as he spoke about the deadly Saugus High School shooting. Biden held his first rally in California since he joined the 2020 presidential race.
-
22
Bernie Sanders holds an L.A. rally as part of his strategy to mobilize Latinos, particularly younger voters, to help him win California’s Democratic primary.
-
23
The field is down to Joe Biden now that Bernie Sanders ended his presidential campaign. Here is the Democrat heading for a battle with President Trump.
-
24
In 2014, Sen. Elizabeth Warren demonstrated her ability to galvanize liberals. But as it turns out, the fight she won was mostly symbolic.
-
25
Kamala Harris, lagging in the polls, has cut staff and focused her efforts on Iowa, where she’s betting intimate events with voters will revive her chances.
-
26
In his attacks on Joe Biden, President Trump is executing a playbook he has honed for decades, spreading false accusations using the media he scorns.
-
27
Midwestern moderates Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar are making a strong case against the liberalism of Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.
-
28
With P.V. Gopalan, an upright civil servant and doting patriarch, Kamala Harris forged one of the defining relationships of her life.
More Coverage
-
29
Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders seem to compete for which candidate can most thoroughly denounce billionaires. Not since the Great Depression have candidates so aggressively pilloried the well-to-do.
-
30
Elizabeth Warren feels the heat, Joe Biden defends his age and his son and Pete Buttigieg goes on the attack in Democrats’ October debate.
-
31
Here are key dates and events on the the 2020 presidential election calendar, including dates of debates, caucuses, primaries and conventions.
