Democratic debate: Only white candidates in latest 2020 showdown
It is the first debate since the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The seventh in a series of debates to determine the Democratic challenger to Donald Trump has the fewest participants yet.
Six contenders will take to the stage in Iowa – just weeks before the state’s caucuses – and for the first time in this set of debates, none of the candidates will be people of colour.
The lineup features Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar and Tom Steyer.
Entrepreneur Andrew Yang, who was in last month’s debate, did not make the cut, leaving an all-white field.
New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, who was the only black candidate remaining who had made a previous debate, ended his campaign on Monday, saying “there was no longer a path to victory”. Deval Patrick is now the only black presidential candidate left.
The debate comes as recent polls show former Vice President Joe Biden, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg leading the pack.
Foreign policy is expected to be in focus, as this is the first debate since President Trump’s controversial killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani.
Viewers should expect questions about an ongoing row between Senators Sanders and Warren concerning an alleged conversation in which he is said to have told her that a woman cannot win the election. A statement from the Warren campaign stressed unity between the two Democrats who are seen to represent the left wing of the party. All the same, supporters of both campaigns have continued to fight on Twitter since the story first broke.
The debate also falls on the eve of a key House vote on whether to send articles of impeachment against Donald Trump to the Senate, which Nancy Pelosi announced today.
Hosted at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, the debate will begin at 9pm ET (Wednesday 2am GMT). You can watch it live on CNN or at DesMoinesRegister.com.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments