At Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, on Tuesday night, six Democratic candidates convened for the final primary debate before the state’s first-in-the-nation caucuses on Feb. 3.
Despite the initial diversity of the Democratic field, all the candidates qualifying for Tuesday’s event were white, with two-thirds being men. With the absence of a clear frontrunner leading up to next month’s caucuses, the candidates tackled questions regarding gender dynamics in the race, climate change, healthcare, and the presence of combat troops overseas. While the Senate prepared for President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial in Washington, the candidates only briefly touched on the topic and the allegations against the President lodged by the Democratic-led House.
Moderators probed each candidate on their perceived weaknesses in challenging Trump. Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg was questioned on his limited support among black voters, Sen. Elizabeth Warren on the potential alienation of swing voters, and Sen. Bernie Sanders on financing his ambitious proposals.
The key takeaways from the night include:
- Gender Dynamics: Sanders and Warren clashed over conflicting accounts of a 2018 meeting where Warren claimed Sanders expressed doubts about a woman’s ability to win the presidency. Both candidates defended their positions on stage, with Warren emphasizing her winning record and Klobuchar asserting that competence, not gender, matters in leadership.
- Foreign Policy: Candidates discussed their approaches to military intervention, particularly in light of recent events with Iran. Warren and Sanders advocated for withdrawing combat troops from the Middle East, while Biden, Buttigieg, and Klobuchar took a more pragmatic stance, emphasizing national security interests.
- Biden’s Performance: Former Vice President Joe Biden faced scrutiny over his past decisions, particularly his 2002 vote authorizing the Iraq War. However, his rivals largely spared him, and Biden invoked his association with Barack Obama to bolster his campaign.
- Impeachment: Despite the historic impeachment proceedings, the topic received minimal attention during the debate. Warren affirmed her commitment to fulfilling her responsibilities in the trial, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing national interests over politics.
- Childcare Costs: Warren and Biden shared personal anecdotes highlighting the challenges of affording childcare, reflecting a widespread issue in the United States. Candidates proposed solutions such as government-subsidized childcare facilities and tax credits for parents.
- Healthcare: The debate reiterated divisions within the Democratic field regarding healthcare policy. Sanders and Warren defended Medicare for All, while Buttigieg, Klobuchar, Biden, and Steyer advocated for building on the Affordable Care Act. Biden notably avoided detailed discussions of his healthcare plan.
Overall, the debate underscored the complexity of issues facing the Democratic Party as candidates vie for the nomination.
