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As it happenedended

Democratic debate: Who won? Candidates clash over healthcare, immigration, impeachment and more

Candidates clash over immigration, gun violence and the economy

Clark Mindock
Miami
,Chris Stevenson,Chelsea Ritschel
Thursday 27 June 2019 01:41 EDT
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Democratic debate: Best moments of night one

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The race to the White house has officially begun, with the first Democratic presidential debate in Miami now over.

Tonight's showdown featured: Cory Booker, Bill de Blasio, Julián Castro, John Delaney, Tulsi Gabbard​, Jay Inslee​, Amy Klobuchar, Beto O'Rourke, Tim Ryan and Elizabeth Warren.

The candidates clashed over immigration, gun violence and the economy - as well as getting in a number of digs at President Donald Trump.

The second 2020 debate will take place on Thursday evening with the remaining ten candidates having their chance to prove why they should be America's next president.

Follow how the debate progressed in the liveblog below

Please allow a moment for our liveblog to load

On the issue of immigration, senator Amy Klobuchar said 25 per cent people who have won the Nobel Prize on behalf of the United States were born in other countries and are immigrants. (CNN points out the figure may actually be larger.)

Andrew Buncombe27 June 2019 03:59

At the end of the debate, candidates got some time to sum up:

Delaney: I’m the son of a union steward who worked to become a successful businessman. I was successful too.. But this is about getting America working.

Ryan: The working class has been divided. It’s time for us to get back on track.

Inslee: I have three grandchildren, and love them all. On my last day on earth I want to look them in the eye and tell them he did everything humanly possible to protect them from the climate crisis.

Gabbard: We don’t have a government for the people anymore. It’s for the rich and powerful. As president my White House would be a beacon of light.

Castro: As president, I’ll make sure people have good job opportunities. In January 2021: “We’ll say adios to Donald Trump.”

Klobuchar: I listen to people, which is important, and I am someone who can win and beat Donald Trump. I’m from the mid-west, and I can beat Trump in places like Michigan and Wisconsin.

Booker: 50 years ago my family were denied a house because of the color of their skin. I will beat Trump by calling for a sense of purpose in this country. I will win by showing the best of who we are.

De Blasio: We need to nominate a candidate who has raised a minimum wage, improved healthcare... We need to put working people first.

O’Rourke: my daughter turned 11 this week. I’m on the stage for her and children across the country. We need a new kind of politics, one directed by the next generation.

Warren: never in a million years did I think I’d stand on a stage like this. When I was a child I didn’t have money to go to college, but I got my chance through community college. It created an opportunity for a girl, and opened my life. We can make this government work for everyone.

Chris Stevenson27 June 2019 04:22

Warren got the last statement, which will cause consternation for some candidates. Here it is.

Chris Stevenson27 June 2019 04:34

One candidate, Tulsi Gabbard has faced a bit of a backlash over the way she shoehorned her military record into the debate.

Chris Stevenson27 June 2019 04:35

Here are some snap judgements on the debate , first, pollster Nate Silver.

MSNBC analyst Matthew Miller:

Chris Stevenson27 June 2019 04:39

In terms of what people were searching for, here are the top-ten candidates:

Chris Stevenson27 June 2019 04:40

And here are the times at the mic for the participants.

Cory Booker: 10 minutes, 55 seconds

Beto O'Rourke: 10 minutes, 39 seconds

Elizabeth Warren: 9 minutes, 17 seconds

Julián Castro: 8 minutes, 52 seconds

Amy Klobuchar: 8 minutes, 25 seconds

Tulsi Gabbard: 7 minutes, 22 seconds

Tim Ryan: 7 minutes, 21 seconds

John Delaney: 6 minutes, 49 seconds

Bill de Blasio: 5 minutes, 40 seconds

Jay Inslee: 4 minutes, 52 seconds

Chris Stevenson27 June 2019 04:43

Some reaction from the spin room, where the candidates have sent out allies to make sure the media get all the positives from their efforts.

Chris Stevenson27 June 2019 04:51

Here are some of our key takeaways from the debate.

Chris Stevenson27 June 2019 05:01

Julian Castro had a seemingly strong showing at the first round of debates - and he's enjoying soaking in the support by the looks of it: 

Chris Riotta27 June 2019 05:10

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