Friday’s crucial Democratic presidential debate began with a reminder that the seven candidates on the stage at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH have a common goal – and foe.
“Everybody up here is united,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders in response to a comment by former Vice President Joe Biden.
This seemed to be a common theme of the night. Many of the candidates acknowledged that even though they are competing against each other, they all want to beat Donald Trump in the end.
Businessman Andrew Yang was back on stage for the debate this time around after failing to qualify for the last debate.
“I’m so excited, I want to give every American $1,000 a month,” he said.
As in previous debates, health care was a topic that came up numerous times. Biden called out Sanders on the pricing of Medicare For All and said that he believes this proposal will cost the entire federal budget.
Sanders said that Medicare For All will not only include dental, vision, and home health care, but it will “save average Americans substantial sums.”
Sen. Amy Klobuchar agreed with Biden and said that Sanders’ plan is not “real.”
Sanders was not the only candidate that was criticized during the debate. Mayor Pete Buttigieg took many digs throughout the night. ABC News moderator Linsey Davis asked Buttigieg about the incarceration rates of people of colour in South Bend, Indiana and why they increased under his leadership as mayor.
Buttigieg’s responses included the acknowledgement of systematic racism and the proposal of legalizing marijuana.
After he concluded, the moderator passed the question over to Sen. Elizabeth Warren and asked, “is that a substantial answer?” Warren responded only with the word, “No.”
Biden was also questioned by businessman Tom Steyer in regards to a Biden campaign worker in South Carolina being racist to one of Steyer’s campaign workers. Biden did not initially answer the question head on but said that he has the support of the black caucus.
After Steyer grew persistent, Biden said “I believe he’s sorry,” to account for the incident that was brought up.
Other topics of debate included war, abortion, and student loan debt.
Each of the candidates have events scheduled over the next few days in the state of New Hampshire to continue their campaign trails before the vote on Tuesday.
