Democratic debate: Warren takes hits from all sides as Trump impeachment remains top focus
Democrats spar in the largest presidential primary debate in American history
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Your support makes all the difference.Twelve Democrats hoping to take on Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election took the stage tonight for the largest primary debate in American history -- just as the candidates are finally taking off their gloves.
The candidates who met the Democratic National Committee's polling and fundraising requirements to join Tuesday's night debate -- the first since an impeachment inquiry was launched into Mr Trump -- included former Vice President Joe Biden, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, California Senator Kamala Harris, entrepreneur Andrew Yang, former Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke, Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, former House Secretary Julián Castro and billionaire Tom Steyer.
Ms Warren repeatedly came under attack during the debate as rivals accused the Massachusetts senator of ducking questions about the cost of Medicare for All and her signature “wealth tax” plan.
The pile-on was the clearest sign yet that Ms Warren has a new status in the crowded Democratic primary: a front-runner in the contest to take on Mr Trump next year.
The night’s confrontations were mostly fought on familiar terrain for Democrats, who have spent months sparring over the future of health care with moderates pressing for a measured approach while Ms Warren and Mr Sanders call for a dramatic, government-funded overhaul of the insurance market.
But unlike Mr Sanders, Ms Warren refused to say whether she would raise taxes on the middle class to pay for Medicare for All — a stance that’s increasingly difficult to maintain given her more prominent status.
Her rivals seized on the opportunity to pounce.
“I appreciate Elizabeth’s work but, again, the difference between a plan and a pipe dream is something you can actually get done,” said Ms Klobuchar.
Mr Buttigieg added: “We heard it tonight. A ‘yes’ or ‘no’ question that didn’t get a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer.”
The political landscape has changed with Mr Trump facing an impeachment inquiry in the House focused on his quest to get Ukraine to dig up unflattering details about Mr Biden, another front-runner among the Democrats hoping to succeed him.
The debate also served as Mr Sanders’ return to the campaign trail following a heart attack earlier this month. The Vermont senator declared, “I’m feeling great.” and hinted at a rally on Saturday in which prominent freshman Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will reportedly endorse his presidential candidacy.
Additional reporting by Associated Press. Check out live updates as they came in below.
That's all for The Independent's live reporting from the Democratic debates.
CNN is reporting that there appears to be a slight discrepancy between Joe Biden and his son's account of Ukraine:
Kamala Harris slams pharmaceutical companies and calls the opioid crisis a public health epidemic.
"I'm healthy, I'm feeling great," Bernie Sanders says. He goes on to attack the pharmaceutical companies as well and explains "this is what unvetted capitalism is doing to this country."
Bernie Sanders hints at a major upcoming rally in Queens, New York, where he says he will be featuring a special guest. Who could it be?
The candidates are continuing to tweet out their points made on the debate stage -
Cory Booker says Donald Trump is the "unhealthiest person" running for president in 2020.
Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris are sparring over whether Donald Trump's Twitter account should be suspended.
Ms Harris calls on Ms Warren to support her stance on Twitter removing the president from the social media platform. Ms Warren says it's more important to focus on bigger issues.
The moderators are now asking about women's reproductive rights.
Kamala Harris says her Department of Justice will enforce "preclearance" when it comes to laws that may violate Roe v. Wade, and will not allow those laws to go into place if they are found to be in violation.
Amy Klobuchar says she would codify Roe v. Wade before attacking Donald Trump for saying he wanted to put women in jail who have had abortions.
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