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.”
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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”):
Axios(@ axios)
Tulsi Gabbard calls The New York Times and CNN – the hosts of the debate – ” completely despicable “for alleging she is a Russian asset and Assad apologist.pic.twitter.com/0pzpA4nvRo
And here’s how people have responded :
Jennifer Rubin(@ JRubinBlogger)
Tulsi Gabbard is blaming everyone but Trump and Syria. Remarkable. ************October 16, 2019
Susan Glasser(@ sbg1)
How odd to listen to Tulsi Gabbard mouthing Syrian and Russian talking points on the Democratic debate stage … sorry but no one thinks US troops withdrawn by Trump were there as part of a ‘regime change war’ by the US. It’s as untruthful as anything from POTUS.
However some commentators have praised her for her proposal, including the editorial director of The Nation
Tulsi Gabbard is right to indict bipartisan support for regime change wars— and right to call out NYT, others for smearing her for ending sanctions— another form of warfare- and for dissenting views
Meanwhile, this was Pete Buttigieg’s response to Gabbard
The slaughter going on in Syria is not the consequence of American presence, it is the consequence of American withdrawal and betrayal.# DemDebatepic.twitter.com/zeVL3hQp4W
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”.)
Updated
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”.
Updated
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.
Updated
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.
Yamiche Alcindor(@ Yamiche)
Tulsi Gabbard: So you want to keep soldiers in Syria indefinitely and have an endless war?
Pete Buttigieg: No. But we need to back people up and not abandon allies like Kurds. Trump’s actions are taking away “honor” of U.S. troops and his actions “betrayed” American credibility.
(October) , 2019
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.”
Yamiche Alcindor(@ Yamiche)
BIG TOPIC: SYRIA.
Joe Biden on President Trump’s withdrawal from Syria: “Most shameful thing any president has done in modern history … Turkey is the real problem here.”
Bidens adds he would protect Kurds. “It is shameful, shameful what this man (Trump) has done.”
(October) , 2019
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”.
Sahil Kapur(@ sahilkapur)
Beto O’Rourke also jabs Warren.
“Senator Warren is more focused on being punitive,” he says, “… instead of lifting people up. ”
(October) , 2019
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:
Sally Kohn(@ sallykohn)
Wow, thank you@ TomSteyer– it is truly refreshing to hear a billionaire speak honestly about the way big corporations and the super-rich have gamed the system for people like yourself.
(October) , 2019
Anthony “The Rock” Fantano(@ theneedledrop)
Shoutout to@ TomSteyerfor buying himself a spot in the Democratic primary when there is virtually no chance of him winning at all. Bold of him to so generously waste our time and his money.
(October) , 2019
Robert Reich(@ RBReich)
Tom Steyer says corporations have bought government for 40 years, but he’s bought his way on to the stage tonight.
(October) , 2019
Ross Douthat(@ DouthatNYT)
Was it worth it, Tom Steyer? For this?
(October) , 2019
And as Guardian US columnist Robert Reich has also pointed out, Warren’s follow up was particularly punchy:
Robert Reich(@ RBReich)
Warren’s best line of night: Why do everyone else on stage think it more important to protect billionaires than to invest in Americans?
Matt Fuller(@ MEPFuller)
Amy Klobuchar pulling a John Delaney and going afterElizabeth Warrenat every opportunity, which worked out so well for John Delaney that he’s no longer on the debate stage.
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.
Sahil Kapur(@ sahilkapur)
“I want to give a reality check to Elizabeth,” saysAmy Klobuchar. “No one on this stage wants to protect billionaires.”
(October 16, 2019
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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