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.
"It's just better than Medicare-for-all whether you want it or not," Pete Buttigieg replies, adding more about his plan and why we should not divide the country over health care.
Bernie Sanders says people will save money on health care bills but acknowledges taxes will go up, adding the "tax increase will be substantially less" than their current costs for health insurance.
"I think we owe it to the American people to tell them where we're going to send the invoice," Amy Klobuchar says to Elizabeth Warren, pressing her over her answers about health care.
"The difference between a plan and a pipe dream is something that you can actually get done," Amy Klobuchar says about Elizabeth Warren's health care plan, calling for strengthening Medicaid and taking on pharma companies involved in the opioid crisis.
Kamala Harris says it's "outrageous" Democrats have not yet discussed women's reproductive rights at this point in the debate stage.
"People need to keep their hands off of women's rights," she says.
"Damn right we will," Bernie Sanders says when asked if he will truly be able to have a job for every American, a plan he has called for.
He goes on to discuss the threat of climate change, saying the Green New Deal will help create 20 million jobs.
Andrew Yang says his "freedom dividend" that provides $1,000 a month to all Americans would help make it so the US does not have to supply federal jobs to all US citizens, which he says he thinks most people wouldn't want anyway.
Cory Booker says "God bless Kamala" and that more people need to get involved in the fight for women's reproductive rights.
Elizabeth Warren and Andrew Yang are sparring over the future of automated jobs and how it may affect jobs in the US. Ms Warren is defending her plan to expand monthly federal assistance, telling Mr Yang her plan has a provision for his wife, who stays at home taking care of their children.
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