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Biden-Harris rematch expected in next Democratic debates
WASHINGTON, July 19, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Democrats are gearing up for their
second primary debates ahead of the 2020 election, with a rematch looming
between frontrunner Joe Biden and first round star Kamala Harris.
Ten candidates including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders will
square off in Detroit on July 30, while Biden and Harris will share the stage
with eight others the following night, after a draw of eligible participants
by debate hosts CNN on Thursday.
California Senator Kamala Harris made a splash with her well-received
presidential campaign rollout in January but struggled to maintain her
momentum.
She surged back into the limelight thanks to a rock-solid performance in
the first debate in June, mixing policy proficiency with a knack for personal
connection.
Harris owned the evening’s most powerful moment, when she boldly
confronted frontrunner Joe Biden on race and identity and called out his
“hurtful” comments in praise of segregationist senators with whom he worked
but disagreed.
She also chided Biden on his past opposition to 1970s busing programs that
forced integration of segregated schools — eloquently invoking her own
childhood to prove her point.
Former Vice President Biden, while still leading the polls, saw his
standing slip following the first debate.
He has since apologized for his comments and told CNN on July 6 that he
was surprised by Harris’s attack but not overly concerned because “the
American people think they know me.”
Sanders and Warren, the other two highest ranking candidates, will share a
stage for the first time. Both championed similar policies in the first
debate, including higher taxes, fewer immigration barriers and tighter
firearms laws.
But both slipped slightly in the polls after the debate as Harris climbed
higher.
The first night of the debate will feature Warren, Sanders, former
Maryland representative John Delaney, former Colorado Governor John
Hickenlooper, Montana Governor Steve Bullock, author Marianne Williamson,
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, former Texas representative Beto O’Rourke
and South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
The second night will have Harris, Biden, New York Senator Kirsten
Gillibrand, Hawaii Representative Tulsi Gabbard, Colorado Senator Michael
Bennet, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, New
Jersey Senator Cory Booker, businessman Andrew Yang and former Housing and
Urban Development secretary Julian Castro.
BSS/AFP/RY/11:02 hrs