Watch CBS News Democratic Primary Debate
- 2020
- 1 Season
On February 25th, 2020, CBS News hosted a Democratic Primary Debate live from the Charleston, South Carolina. This debate was the tenth debate of the 2020 Democratic primary season and featured seven of the leading democratic presidential candidates, including Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, Tom Steyer and Mike Bloomberg. The moderator of this debate was CBS Newsâ chief Washington correspondent, Major Garrett.
The debate kicked off with each candidate delivering their opening remarks to the audience, introducing themselves to voters and emphasizing their positions on some of the key issues of the 2020 election. The first question was directed to Bernie Sanders about his beliefs on socialism and his âdemocratic socialistâ label. Major Garrett asked if he could take on President Trump, who has already criticized Sandersâ political views as a potential âcommunistâ. Sanders replied confidently by emphasizing his focus on rebuilding the middle class and providing a fair deal to all Americans.
Throughout the night, the candidates discussed topics such as immigration reform, racial inequality, climate change, and healthcare policy. There was a heated exchange between Mayor Pete Buttigieg and former Vice President Joe Biden regarding their respective records on race relations. Biden responded by defending his record as a Senator and Vice President, as well as citing his work in the Obama administration.
One of the highlights of the night was when Elizabeth Warren accused Mike Bloomberg of using his wealth to influence politics and the legal system for his own gain. She cited his history of discrimination against women and minorities, his support of stop and frisk policies, and his alleged payments to silence women in the workplace. Bloombergâs response was that he has made mistakes in the past, but he has also worked to promote equality and is actively seeking to make amends for any previous wrongdoings.
There were several moments of agreement between the candidates throughout the debate. All of them emphasized the importance of defeating President Trump and fighting for progressive values in the United States. They also agreed on the need for comprehensive immigration reform, addressing climate change, and investing in education.
One of the themes of the CBS News Democratic Primary Debate was the role of money in politics. Several candidates, including Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, advocated for overturning the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, which allows unlimited spending by corporations and unions on political campaigns. Many of the candidates also criticized the increasing wealth gap in the country and advocated for policies to combat inequality.
The CBS News Democratic Primary Debate came to a close with each candidate giving their closing remarks. Mayor Pete Buttigieg emphasized the need for unity in the Democratic Party, while Tom Steyer encouraged voters to put their faith in someone who would bring positive change to Washington. Amy Klobuchar emphasized her track record of winning in red states, while Joe Biden emphasized his experience and repeated his promise to unify the country.
Overall, the CBS News Democratic Primary Debate was a significant moment in the 2020 primary election season. It was a chance for the candidates to share their vision for America and address some of the key issues facing the country. The debate was watched by millions of viewers and generated significant coverage and analysis in the media. With the race still wide open at the time of the debate, it was an important opportunity for voters to learn more about the candidates and make a decision on who to support.