Tonight, CNN Democratic presidential debate takes to the national stage Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. Amanda Parisse writes about what to pay attention to.
The lineup of speakers
The night’s headliners, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Sen. Bernie Sanders are the two highest polling Democratic nominees for the democratic party and will have a challenge in making their respective platforms stand out.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), 77, is the “People’s Candidate.” Bernie is running for his second bid for the White House, after losing to Hillary Clinton in 2016. His campaign is built upon his unique brand of socialism, promising free college as well as healthcare, and a ban on all assault-style weapons.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), 70, is the top opponent to Bernie Sanders both politically and ideologically. Her policy suggestions rival every other candidate, allowing voters to gain an in-depth perspective of her future as president if elected.
Mayor Pete Buttigieg, 37, is the millennial candidate and a favorite according to the polls. His appearances on televised town hall speeches have secured the Navy veteran and first gay candidate a place among the top six contenders for the democratic nominee.
Where Buttigieg soared, former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke, 46, crashed and burned. He held so many hopes for the nation when he announced his bid after a failed Senate race against Ted Cruz (R-TX) gaining immense support. Now with a decrease in donations and dismal polling, this debate is his Hail Mary for his presidential bid.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar(D-MN), 59, is the only moderate female candidate, serving as the lightning rod to Bernie Sanders. She is against free college, electing to instead push debt forgiveness and is also in favor of a more realistic form of healthcare
Gov. Steve Bullock, (D-MT), 53, makes his first appearance on the debate stage. His success in winning a Trump dominated state in 2016 is his claim in successfully beating the sitting president in 2020.
John Hickenlooper, 67 is the only other moderate candidate, although his platform aligns with the progressive ideology. Like Bernie, he supports free college and raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, however, he is against the Medicare for all” healthcare plan
Rep. Tim Ryan(OH-13), 46, may have an edge in beating Trump, having spent his entire life in the Trump run Rust Belt. His platform revolves around closing the class gap between wealthy and struggling community schools.
Former Rep. John Delaney (MD-6), 56, announced his bid for the White House over a year ago. He has put forth a plan to invest in infrastructure, paid for by a corporate tax increase.
Marianne Williamson, 67, is one of the most unique candidates to ever appear on the national debate stage. Her claim to fame is being a spiritual healer and self -help author, campaigning for the power of love and appealing to the nation’s heart. Her stance on our nation is addicted to antidepressants speaks for itself-regarding how a Williamson Administration would look.
What to Pay Attention To
The candidates will be fighting for their fifteen minutes of fame, struggling to make themselves stand out in a group of candidates who all hold similar ideologies regarding national concerns such as the New Green Deal.
The threat of not being welcomed back to the debate stage for the third debate will bring out the edge of all of the candidates, pushing them to break out of their mirror image platforms, highlighting what makes them unique.
The debate forecast will include gun control, education reform, and immigration, giving moderate candidates like Amy Klobuchar the opportunity to face off against progressive champions Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders
Taking a look at the underdogs of the campaign, Mayor Pete Buttigieg will have one more chance to win over black voters after the police violence incident in his town of South Bend, Indiana. John Delaney will also have a final opportunity to boost his polling numbers.
The highlight of the debate will be the anticipated debate between the top polling candidates Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Both of their campaigns have similar ideologies and tonight’s debate will give them the chance to highlight their differences, securing enough poll numbers as well as donations to advance to the next round.
The debate will make or break each candidate’s presidential run, determining whether or not they will move one step closer to becoming the democratic nominee. Tonight, is crucial to each candidate’s run for president, if they don’t make an impression on donors and voters, they will be standing on the debate stage for the second and final time.