ON-AIR MELTDOWN
Ten Democrats clash in first US presidential TV debate marred by tech issues and branded ‘BORING’ by Donald Trump
TEN Democrats clashed in the first US presidential debate – but the TV battle was marred by tech issues and branded “BORING” by Donald Trump.
The candidates tussled over the economy and border policy on a Miami stage on Wednesday night, with 10 more appearing on Thursday.
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As the night's highest-polling candidate, Senator Elizabeth Warren took centre stage and demanded a "structural change" in the economy.
But as soon as the first primary debate of the 2020 election season was underway, Trump made his feelings clear, tweeting: “BORING!”
Trump's campaign later issued a statement, branding the debate a "mutual political suicide pact".
The second hour of the debate was derailed by technical difficulties, with NBC forced to cut to an advert break.
The network suffered audio issues during moderator Chuck Todd’s remarks, with the candidates on stage unable to hear his question.
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After the unscheduled ad break, Todd, appearing next to Rachel Maddow, admitted the network had suffered “technical difficulties” before vowing to march on.
Trump blasted the network, saying: "NBCNews and MSNBC should be ashamed of themselves for having such a horrible technical breakdown in the middle of the debate.
"Truly unprofessional and only worthy of a FAKE NEWS Organization, which they are!"
The debate marked a new phase in the 2020 presidential season as Democrats seek to break out from the crowded field.
Several of the lesser-known candidates shouted over one another to grab the spotlight and prove they are capable of standing up to Trump in the election.
TRUMP ATTACKED
The Democratic contenders repeatedly attacked Trump, saying his economic policies benefited the wealthy at the expense of working Americans.
"On January 20, 2021, we'll say 'Adios' to Donald Trump," said former Housing Secretary Julian Castro.
But they also turned their fire on each other, most often targeting Beto O'Rourke.
The former congressman tangled with Castro, a fellow Texan, on border policy, and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio on healthcare.
The intensity of the exchanges after six months of a relatively mild campaign reflected the high stakes in what could be a make-or-break moment for some of the contenders.
No one mentioned front-runner Joe Biden, who will take the stage with top rival Bernie Sanders and eight other candidates in the second debate on Thursday night.
SPANISH INQUISITION
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Wednesday's debate was the most bilingual in American history, with three candidates speaking Spanish on stage.
O'Rourke gave his first answer in Spanish, befuddling much of the TV audience and drawing a side-eye look from New Jersey Sen Cory Booker.
Dozens of social media users picked up on the moment and shared memes of Booker's shocked face.
But Booker later took to opportunity to show off some of his Spanish as well.
Castro limited his Spanish to a single line in his closing statement.
Despite being the only Latino on the stage, he isn't a fluent Spanish speaker.
BATTLE OVER HEALTHCARE
The battle over healthcare began when the candidates were asked to raise their hands if they support eliminating private health insurance.
Only Warren and de Blasio did so, but they quickly challenged the other eight candidates on stage.
Warren, a leader of the party's progressive wing who has been surging in opinion polls, said private insurance was taking advantage of Americans.
She backs a government-sponsored Medicare-for-All approach and criticised those who say it is not politically feasible.
"What they are really telling you is they just won't fight for it. Healthcare is a basic right, and I will fight for it," she said.
But former U.S. Representative John Delaney, an outspoken critic of Medicare for All who supports a universal healthcare approach that includes private insurance, said Democrats should not throw away a system that some Americans are happy with.
"I think we should be the party that keeps what’s working and fixes what’s broken," Delaney said.
O'Rourke said private insurance was "fundamental to our ability to get everybody cared for," but de Blasio cut him off.
"Congressman O'Rourke, private insurance is not working for tens of millions of Americans when you talk about the copays, the deductibles the premiums - it's not working. How can you defend a system that's not working?"
FIGHT CLUB Candidates in Wednesday’s debate (as they appeared from left to right)
Bill de Blasio - New York mayor
Tim Ryan - Ohio Congressman
Julian Castro - former HUD secretary
Cory Booker - New Jersey senator
Elizabeth Warren - Massachusetts senator
Beto O'Rourke - former-Texas Congressman
Amy Klobuchar - Minnesota senator
Tulsi Gabbard - Hawaii Congresswoman
Jay Inslee - Washington governor
John Delaney - former Maryland Congressman
Several of the contenders took aim at corporate America, saying it did not pay enough in taxes, repaid government bailouts by shifting jobs overseas and charged too much for its products.
"I think of it this way. Who is this economy really working for? It's doing great for a thinner and thinner slice at the top," Warren declared.
"That is corruption pure and simple ... and we need to make structural change."
One of the few voices for the moderate wing of the Democratic Party on stage, former Maryland Rep. John Delaney, pushed back: "We should be the party that keeps what's working and fixes what's broken," he said. "Why do we have to stand for taking away something from people."
Democrats are unified in their deep desire to beat Trump but divided on what kind of candidate is best positioned to do so.
The first hour of the debate passed with hardly a mention of the man the 10 candidates on stage hope to face next November.
It was 16 minutes into the debate before Trump's name was uttered by Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who briefly referenced him again as the debate headed into its second hour.
Responding to a question about US tensions with Iran, Klobuchar said, "I don't think we should conduct foreign policy in our bathrobe at 5 in the morning."
Other candidates invoked the president's name while making their arguments on immigration.
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The overall field is so large that a second group of 10 Democrats, led by early front-runner Joe Biden, are to debate 24 hours later.
The groupings were chosen at random by debate host NBC.
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