MIAMI — The Democrats' second 2020 presidential debate in two nights featured four of the top five candidates — according to early polling, at least. Among front runners at Thursday night's debate in Miami, including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden, were Colorado's two candidates: former Gov. John Hickenlooper and Sen. Michael Bennet.
In the first half of the debate, Bennet spent just over four minutes answering three questions. Hickenlooper spent just over two minutes answering two questions, according to 9NEWS political reporter Marshall Zelinger who is in Miami for the debate.
WIthin the first few minutes of Thursday night's debate, Hickenlooper was asked about his comments saying socialism is not the answer (Sanders identifies as a Democratic socialist).
Hickenlooper defended his warnings on the Democratic Party veering toward socialism, saying that if Democrats fail to clearly define themselves as not being socialists, Republicans are going to come at the party "every way they can and call us socialists."
Hickenlooper added, "we can't promise every American a government job."
Colorado's former governor also expressed reluctance to the Green New Deal and eliminating private medical insurance.
Health care
Bennet said he agrees with Sanders saying the top 1% has the same wealth as the other 99%, but believes work on Obamacare should be finished, with public options for families.
Bennet said that he agreed with Sanders that "health care is a right" for all Americans. But he questioned Sanders' "Medicare for All" plan that would extend coverage to everyone in the country, saying the U.S. isn't ready for it.
Sanders smirked as he listened to Bennet's answer before defending his plan. Then, unprompted, New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand jumped in and said that she wrote the portion of the bill that Sanders had proposed that would transition the country toward Medicare for All plans.
Struggling to restore order, the moderators said repeatedly that they'd "get to" health care questions later.
Bennet was asked again about health care, he mentioned his recovery from prostate cancer and his daughter's appendectomy, to get into Universal Health Care discussion — to go after Sanders on where they disagree.
All 10 candidates said their proposals for government health insurance would include coverage for immigrants in the country illegally.
Immigration
When Hickenlooper was asked what he would do on day one at the White House to address the crisis at the border, he said we need to recognize the humanitarian crisis for what it is. He added that ICE needs to be reformed, "they need to look at their job in a humanitarian way, ' he said. He added that when children are taken from their parents, "in Colorado we call that kidnapping."
When asked if they would make illegal border crossing a civil offense instead of a criminal offense, Hickenlooper had his hand going up as the camera went past him, Bennet did not have his hand raised.
Bennet was the only one of 10 candidates Thursday night to not raise his hand to seek to decriminalize illegal border crossings.
Gridlock
When asked if a Democratic president will mean the gridlock disappears, Bennet said not as long as U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is there.
Bennet called for a reversal of Supreme Court decisions like Citizens United, listing issues he said had arisen during former Biden's long Washington tenure.
In response, Biden said he secured bipartisan funds for cancer research and led the charge to win back congressional seats, arguing, "Sometimes you have to just go out and beat them."
Climate change
Can oil and gas be real partners in the fight in climate change?
Hickenlooper responded by saying, "I'm a scientist (he's a geologist), so I recognize we're 10-12 years from suffering irreparable damage." He touted a network of electric vehicles and addressing methane emissions.
Biden said he'd prioritize rebuilding world alliances committed to reducing emissions.
Sanders said taking on the fossil fuel industry is the key to reducing carbon pollution.
California Sen. Kamala Harris said she supports a Green New Deal, a reference to proposals some Democrats are pushing on Capitol Hill. But Harris isn't detailing any specific measures she'd take to reduce carbon pollution.
All candidates were asked what the top issue they would address would be; both Bennett and Hickenlooper said climate change.
OK, who spoke the most?
FULL INTERVIEW: In Democratic debate, Hickenlooper wants America to hear that socialism isn't the answer
Here's the full list of Democratic candidates that made the debate:
- Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado
- Former Vice President Joe Biden*
- Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey*
- South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg*
- Former Housing Secretary Julián Castro*
- New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio
- Former Rep. John Delaney of Maryland
- Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii*
- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York*
- Sen. Kamala Harris of California*
- Former Gov. John Hickenlooper of Colorado
- Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington*
- Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota*
- Former Rep. Beto O'Rourke of Texas*
- Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio
- Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont*
- Rep. Eric Swalwell of California
- Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts*
- Author Marianne Williamson*
- Entrepreneur Andrew Yang*
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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