Here’s What You Missed on Day 2 of the Democratic Debate
If you’ve missed all of Thursday’s two hours of heated debate (and three hours of post-debate coverage), here are some highlights: South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigig called GOP “hypocrisy”; writer Marianne Williamson discussed “love” as her campaign’s greatest weapon. and California Senator Kamala Harris confronted Vice President Joe Biden in the fiercest controversy of that night.
Kamala Harris disconnects Joe Biden in racial talk
Probably the most talked about moment of debate this week, Harris sparred with Biden in a tense debate over the federal bus program, which the vice president did not support as a senator in the 70s; the program would favor the integration of minorities and other minorities into school buses.
“There was a little girl in California who was in second grade to integrate her public schools, and she was taken to school every day,” Harris said. “And that little girl was me.”
Biden defended himself by claiming that the bus programs were local decisions, and that he did not oppose it, but opposed the use of buses as required by the Department of Education.
Bernie Sanders discusses support for the Iraq war with Joe Biden
Discussing his support for the Iraq war under Obama, Sanders spoke out against the former vice president. “This is one of the differences that Joe and I have on our track record: Joe voted for that war, and I helped lead the opposition to that war, which was a total disaster,” Sanders said. “… Let me be very clear: I will do everything in my power to prevent a war with Iran that will be much worse than this catastrophic war with Iraq.”
Pete Buttigieg answered questions about Eric Logan’s South Bend filming
Earlier this week, Buttigieg was attacked by protesters outside the rally, claiming the mayor did not do enough to address racist concerns in the South Bend community.
When asked why South Bend police weren’t becoming more representative of 26% of the city’s black population, Buttigieg answered bluntly, “Because I couldn’t do it. My community is in trouble right now. ”
Later, California Congressman Eric Swalwell intervened and demanded that Buttigieg fire the police chief.
The candidates answered one question that they will solve as president
When asked what one question each candidate would carry out as president in a word or two, most failed to keep their answers succinct – and Biden defended Obama’s accomplishments with applause. Here are the rest of the answers:
- Swalwell: ending gun violence.
- Colorado Senator Michael Bennett: Climate Change and Lack of Economic Mobility.
- Senator Kirsten Gillibrand from New York: Creating a Family Bill of Rights with National Paid Leave and Universal Preschool.
- Harris: Deciding to cut taxes for the middle and working class, support delayed action on the arrival of children, and end gun violence.
- Sanders: We need to “take on special interests.”
- Biden: defended Obama by claiming that he achieved more than one goal during his presidency and said his goal is to defeat President Trump.
- Buttidzic: “Fixing” Democracy That Should Improve Climate, Immigration And Taxes.
- Andrew Young: Allocate the $ 1,000 Freedom Dividend for American adults.
- Former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper: Climate Change.
- Williamson: In a confusing response, she said she would call the Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Buttidzic summoned the GOP
Discussing the detention of children at the border, Buttidzic called the Republican Party a “veiled” religion. “We have to scream hypocrisy when we see this, and for a party that associates itself with Christianity to say that it’s okay, assuming that God will smile at the separation of families in the hands of federal agents, that God condones the placement of children in cages. lost all pretense to ever use a religious language again. “
Candidates Discuss International Relations They Will Dump As President
In another quick series of responses, candidates were asked what kind of relationship with another country they would “reset,” and Buttijig gave another candid response regarding Trump.
- Williamson and Bennett: European Allies.
- Hickenlooper and Yang: China.
- Biden and Harris: NATO members.
- Sanders: Members of the United Nations.
- Gillibrand: Iran.
- Swalwell: Russia and NATO members.
- Buttigieg: “We do not know which of our most important allies he will make even worse. We know that our relationship with the world must change. “
Honorable mentions
Harris (discussing economics): “Hey guys, you know what, America doesn’t want to witness a food battle, they want to know how we’re going to put food on their table.”
Swalwell (during his closing remarks): “I am a congressman, but also a father of a two year old child and a baby. When I don’t change diapers, I change Washington… – in most cases, diapers smell better. ”
Williamson (during his closing remarks): “I’m going to use love for political ends. I will meet you in that field, and sir, love will prevail.
Buttigic (during his closing remarks): “I’m running because the decisions we make in the next three or four years will determine how the next 30 or 40 years go. And when I get to the current age of the current president in 2055, I want to be able to look back on those years and say that my generation brought climate solutions, racial equality and an end to endless war. ”