Standout Debate Moments from Each 2020 Candidate | Night One
By: Kayla Pasacreta
‘Tis election season. As the months go on, we’re basically in full-swing. The first round of the Detroit Democratic debates was held Tuesday night, and I have some thoughts. Sit back, relax, and read!
Photo via CNN/Giphy
BTW, the candidates below are listed in no particular order.
Marianne Williamson
Photo via CNN/Giphy
Following Tuesday night’s debate, Marianne Williamson was the most-Googled candidate.
Strong moment: After being asked by Don Lemon about her plans for up to $500 billion in assistance for reparations, she took the crowd to Church with her answer! Her response:“First of all, it’s not $500 billion in financial assistance, it’s a $200-to-$500 billion payment of a debt that is owed — that is what reparations is,” She continued, “We need some deep truth-telling...we don’t need another commission to look at evidence.
Second strong moment: “I assure you — I lived in Grosse Pointe, Michigan what happened in Flint would not have happened in Grosse Pointe. This is part of the dark underbelly of American society. The racism, the bigotry and the entire conversation that we’re having here tonight, if you think any of this wonkiness is going to deal with this dark psychic force of the collectivised hatred that this president is bringing up in this country,” Of course, in classic Marianne fashion, she had to end it with talking about a “dark psychic force”, but she still spoke facts.
Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Warren arguably had the strongest night out of anyone else, but who is really surprised? She basically asked John Delaney why TF he is even wasting his time running for President, and honestly that is a question that needs answers. Between that moment, and her Birdman hands about taxing the rich, Warren had a fantastic night.
Bernie Sanders
Not gonna lie, last night he made me Feel the Bern. Full disclaimer: I voted for him in my first-ever primary, but last night he really brought the *gasp* radical ideas to the table that all of the other Democrats need to be talking about. Sure, some candidates (cough cough Delaney, Ryan, and Klobuchar) shitted on him for this, but he stayed true to his values. Stand out moment: Bernie reminding Tim Ryan that he wrote the damn medicare bill.
Pete Buttigieg
Young, refreshing, and calm! Pete composed himself well and defintley had his fair share of strong moments. Our personal fave? Letting the viewers know we don’t need to worry about whatever the f*&k Republicans are going to say about our policies:
“[This is] the conversation that we have been having for the last 20 years. Of course, we need to get money out of politics, but when I propose the actual structural democratic reforms that might make a difference — end the Electoral College, amend the Constitution if necessary to clear up Citizens United, have DC actually be a state, and depoliticize the Supreme Court with structural reform — people look at me funny, as if this country was incapable of structural reform.
This is a country that once changed its Constitution so you couldn’t drink and changed it back because we changed our minds, and you’re telling me we can’t reform our democracy in our time. We have to or we will be having the same argument 20 years from now.”
Steve Bullock
Photo via AP
I’m sorry, but why is this dude running? Honestly. I need answers. Last night was the Minnesota Governor’s first chance to introduce himself to voters, and I must say that I kept forgetting he was on stage.
That’s all for you Steve, I am so sorry.
John Hickenlooper
Via Giphy
Refer to comments about Steve above. However, I will give him some credit for making everyone aware that state legislatures are often the ones who have to “pick up the pieces” of ‘radical’ legislation. "You haven't implemented the plans. Us governors and mayors are the ones. We're the ones who have to pick up all the pieces." Cute of you to speak on that but I’m still advocating for free health care, reparations, student loan forgiveness, idc!
Tim Ryan
Photo via Reuters
I really don’t know what to say here. Only thing I can think of is people getting mad at him for not placing his hand over his heart for the National Anthem. It wasn’t a sign of protest, though, he said it was just a moment of “absent-mindedness”. Nothing to see here.
Amy Klobuchar
Via Giphy
Amy, it’s 2019, Donald J. Tr**mp is President, we do not I repeat we DO NOT have time for a moderate President! You’re not inspiring anyone by basically telling us to take what we can get for now.
Anyways, stand out moment, was her statement on gun control. She referenced to the system being broken, and demanded that we start taking some real action on gun control. “This is about the NRA,” Klobuchar said. “As your president, I will not fold. I will make sure we get universal background checks passed.”
John Delaney
Photo via Giphy/CNN
His stand-out moment was basically being owned by every other candidate. Sorry that it had to be you, man.
What were your favorite moments of the night? Comment below!
