O’Rourke, Buttigieg clash over guns
Beto O’Rourkewas pressed on how he would enforce his mandatory buyback program of assault weapons.
O’Rourke has said he would track down the guns that are not turned in through the program, but he struggled to explain how he would do so.
Pete Buttigieg, who had previously criticized O’Rourke’s proposal, said the former Texas congressman had shown in his answer that the idea was unrealistic.
Buttigieg said that the country “can’t wait” for gun control reform, arguing that candidates should focus on more popular proposals like universal background checks.
On the issue of proposing bold change, Buttigieg told O’Rourke: “I don’t need lessons from you on courage.”
Max Benwell
Tulsi Gabbardhas been accused by some debate viewers of following a pro-Assad line in her response to Trump’s controversial withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria.
This is what she said (while defending herself against claims of being an “Assad apologist”):
And here’s how people have responded :
However some commentators have praised her for her proposal, including the editorial director of The Nation
Meanwhile, this was Pete Buttigieg’s response to Gabbard
Steyer becomes first candidate to mention climate crisis
Tom Steyerchose to redirect the conversation toward theclimate crisis.
Asked a question about foreign policy, the billionaire activist saidTrump‘s policies had been a “disaster” but then pivoted to discussing the climate.
Steyer said: “We can’t solve the climate crisis in the US by ourselves, but we have to work with our allies and our frenemies around the world.”
(Yes, he did indeed say “frenemies”.)
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Calling upon his long record as a senator and vice-president,Joe Bidenused his foreign policy answer to note he was the only candidate who has spent extensive time with Russia’s president,Vladimir Putin .
Biden explained the threat Putin poses to America while gesturing to his right, whereBernie Sandersis standing. Sanders responded by joking that Biden was calling him Putin, prompting laughs from the candidates and the audience.
On a more serious note, Biden warned thatTrumpwas putting the country in danger by being a “crazy, erratic president who knows not a damn thing about foreign policy”.
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With the exception ofTulsi Gabbard,the Democratic presidential candidates have been largely unified in their criticism ofTrump‘s decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria.
Kamala HarrissaidTrump“sold out the Kurds”, and the decision demonstrated “why dude gotta go ”.
Julián Castroemphasized reports that the troop withdrawal, and the subsequent military action by Turkey, had allowed at least hundreds of people held at Isis prisons to escape.
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Two veterans onstage spar over Syria
The two veterans onstage,Pete ButtigiegandTulsi Gabbard, clashed over the proper course of action in
Gabbard argued Buttigieg was fueling endless wars in the Middle East, but the Indiana mayor shot back that the Hawaii congresswoman was “wrong” and backing the abandonment of critical US allies.
Moderators are now questioning the candidates aboutTrump ‘s decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria.
Joe Bidensaid that the troop withdrawal was the “most shameful thing any president has done in modern history.”
Tulsi Gabbard, an Iraq War veteran who has criticized America’s ongoing wars in the Middle East, said that the blame for what is happening in Syria did not solely belong to Trump.
The Hawaii congresswoman argued that other politicians had fueled the violent situation in Syria.
Max Benwell
As we head into the second half of the debate, here ishow much each candidate has spoken so far,via The New York Times’ live tracker
Here are the key takeaways from the debate so far:
- Democratic candidates are ganging up onElizabeth Warrennow that the Massachusetts senator has assumed frontrunner status.
- Joe Bidendenied any wrongdoing by himself or his son inHunter Biden’sbusiness dealings overseas, forcefully pushing back againstTrump‘s false corruption claims.
- Two candidates,Kamala HarrisandCory Booker, raised the issue of reproductive rights because debate moderators have yet to ask a specific question about it.
The first commercial break has ended, so stay tuned.
EvenBeto O’Rourkeis going afterElizabeth Warren, which is interesting given that he is far less average than candidates likePete ButtigiegorAmy Klobuchar.
The former Texas congressman said the Massachusetts senator was too focused on “being punitive”.
Max Benwell
As the debate turns to wealth inequalityTom Steyer– the only billionaire on stage – finally gets his say.
He’s waited 40 minutes to get into the debate and uses it to hit out at the power of corporations. It’s met with mixed results:
And as Guardian US columnist Robert Reich has also pointed out, Warren’s follow up was particularly punchy:
Amy Klobucharreally wants a fight withElizabeth Warren. Asked about a wealth tax, Klobuchar instead pivoted to provide a “reality check” to Warren.
The Minnesota senator accused Warren of falsely portraying other candidates ’plans and presenting her proposals as the only option.
Moderators tried to draw a fight out betweenJoe Bidenand candidates likeBernie SandersandElizabeth Warrenwho have endorsed a wealth tax.
But the former vice president did not take the bait, instead emphasizing that billionaires should pay more in taxes.
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