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.
↵A different billionaire from New York thinks he can be a better president than Donald Trump, but won't run unless Joe Biden drops out. More on this development here:
The president's people are not the only ones acting out on Twitter today.
Rudy Giuliani said in an interview today that he won't comply with his congressional subpoena. He told ABC News that "if they enforce it then we will see what happens."
He's not wrong: we really will see that.
As Trump speaks at the White House, Democrats are gearing up for tonight's debate. Here's the full lineup:
Former Vice President Joe Biden
Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey
South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg
Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro
Representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii
Senator Kamala Harris of California
Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota
Former Representative Beto O'Rourke of Texas
Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont
Businessman Tom Steyer
Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts
Businessman Andrew Yang
The president is currently speaking at the White House, welcoming the 2019 Stanley Cup Champions. You can watch a live stream of it here.
The Democratic debate is on at 8 pm ET (1am in the UK), and is hosted at the Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio.
Some more background from Rudy on why he's dropping his lawyer.
In other news, the former New York City mayor is reportedly attending the Yankees game tonight in the Bronx, where fans are excited to see the home team in action.
Ahead of tonight's debate, Bernie Sanders's campaign is teasing a special guest at his Saturday rally, the first since his heart attack.
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