Currents News Staff
Coming into the July 31 debate, all eyes were on center stage. Viewers waited to see if front-runner, former Vice President Joe Biden, and Senator Kamala Harris of California would have a rematch of their clash in Miami last month.
The two had also clashed in the first debate of the week on July 30.
According to his aid, Biden came into the second night of debates with more energy, and more prepared with lines of attack against Harris as well as the other person standing center stage with him, Cory Booker.
In the end Biden stood front and center feeling the heat. He took on fire from just about everyone onstage, telling Senator Harris, “Go easy on me, kid.”
Right off the bat, he and Harris sparred on health care.
“Unfortunately, Vice President Biden, you are just simply inaccurate,” Harris told him.
“For a Democrat to be running for President with a plan that does not cover everyone, I think it without excuse,” she added.
Senator Cory Booker also deflected Biden’s attack on his own criminal justice record, saying, “You’re dipping into the Kool-Aid and you don’t even know the flavor.”
“I find it fascinating, everybody is talking about how terrible I am on these issues. Barack Obama knew exactly who I was,” the Vice President responded.
Meanwhile, Representative Tulsi Gabbard had her sights on Harris.
“You were in a position to make a difference and an impact in these people’s lives, you did not,” she told the senator.
The Democrats also debated issues like the climate crisis, racial injustice and immigration, with diversity on full display amongst the candidates.
“Kids belong in classrooms, not cages,” said Senator and Democratic Presidential Candidate Michael Bennet.
“The opposite of Donald Trump is an Asian man who likes math,” said Democratic Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang, as those in the back of the pack tried to make memorable moments that may boost their poll numbers and keep their campaigns afloat.
Those lesser known candidates have a higher threshold to meet if they want to be on the debate stage again.
For entry into the next round of debates in Houston in September, each candidate will need to be polling in at least two percent in four national or early state polls that are approved by the Democratic National Convention. They must also have at least 130,000 unique donors in 20 different states.