DemDaily: Second Debate, Round One
July 31, 2019
Round one of the second Democratic presidential debate was a much more disciplined, substantive and passionate event than debate one, providing a voice for all the contenders in a battle that centered on the direction of the Democratic Party.
Frontrunners Senators Bernie Sanders (VT) and Elizabeth Warren (MA) fended off attacks by moderates
The Highlights
Unlike the first debate, candidates had the opportunity to define themselves through both opening and closing statements, punching their points on everything from the economy, war and gun control, to climate change, race, and, of course, beating Donald Trump.
But the number one topic of the night was unquestionably healthcare, with Sanders and Warren spending much of their time unapologetically defending their shared agenda of Medicare for all, which would create a government-run health insurance plan.
The debate continued to draw contrasts between ideologues vs. pragmatists, several of the self-proclaimed moderates attacked the policy as too extreme, advocating instead for a form of a public option where people could opt in or stick to their private insurance.
Former Congressman John Delaney (MD) was the most frequent foil to Warren and Sanders
One of the more heated exchanges was between Senator Bernie Sanders and Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan on forcing union members to give up their private healthcare plans under Medicare for All.
Sanders: "Medicare for All is comprehensive. It covers all healthcare needs. For senior citizens it will finally include dental care, hearing aides and eye glasses.
Ryan: "You don't know that Bernie."
Sanders: "I do know that. I wrote the damn bill."
Governor Steve Bullock (MT) "I am the only one in the race who won in a Trump state" (Brendan Smialowski/AFP)
Former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, at one point mocking Sanders trademark hands in the air, said, "if we are going to force Americans to make these radical changes, they are not going to go along with it. (go ahead) Throw your hands up!" Hickenlooper also said that Sanders' socialist policies will "FedEx the election to Donald Trump."
Montana Governor Steve Bullock, determined to make a mark in his first debate performance, said, "I am not going to support a plan that rips away quality healthcare from individuals. This is an example of wishlist economics...It used to be Republicans that wanted to repeal and replace. Now many Democrats do as well."
Former Congressman Beto O'Rourke also weighed in on healthcare, saying voters were being "offered a false choice." O'Rourke offered "a better path," saying "When we listen to the American people -- and this is what they want us to do -- they want everyone covered, but they want to be able to maintain choice."
Amy Klobuchar, while declining to name Warren and Sanders, questioned their liberal policies on healthcare and education, "Do you want to win the argument or do you want to win the election? Yes I have bold ideas, but they are grounded in reality."
Mayor Pete Buttigieg, the youngest candidate
"I don't understand why anybody goes to all the trouble of running for President of the United States just to talk about what we really can't do and shouldn't fight for."
Warren continued, "Our biggest problem in Washington is corruption. It is giant corporations that have taken our government and that are holding it by the throat. And we need to have the courage to fight back against that. And until we're ready to do that, it's just more of the same. Well, I'm ready to get in this fight. I'm ready to win this fight."
South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who is the youngest candidate in the race at 37, interlaced that reminder throughout the evening, "We are not going to be able to meet this moment by recycling the same arguments, policies, and politicians that have dominated Washington for as long as I have been alive."
On the "naked racism in the White House" he said, "If you are watching this at home and you are a Republican Member of Congress, consider the fact that when the sun sets on your career, and they are writing your story ... the thing you will be remembered for is whether in this moment, with this president, you found the courage to stand up to him or continued to put party over country."
Marianne Williamson created the most online buzz, topping google searches in almost every state
Tonight's Debate
Tonight's debate is likely to surpass the first night viewership, with frontrunner Joe Biden in center stage, joined by a much more diverse contingent of contenders.
DemList will keep you informed.
| Date | Wednesday, July 31st |
| Time | 8:00pm ET |
| Location | |
| Candidates | Onstage Order: Bennet, Gillibrand, Castro, Booker, Biden, Harris, Yang, Gabbard, Inslee, de Blasio |
| Networks | CNN, CNN International, and CNN en Español |
| Moderators | Don Lemon, Jake Tapper and Dana Bash |
| Live Streaming | CNN's website, mobile apps and connected TVs via CNNgo. DNC Website |
| Qualifications | 1) Meet a 1% polling threshold in at least three separate national or early primary state polls, or 2) Receive donations from 65,000 individual donors and a minimum of 200 unique donors in at least 20 states |
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