It’s not really cats vs. dogs, but close enough.
Live feed is here, CNN Democratic Debates Live
As with last night, I will transcribe what I can, summarize when I can’t keep up, update during commercials, and let y’all run the commentary below! Enjoy!
Update: Segment 1:
Opening Statements:
DeBlasio: To the working people of America, tonight I bring you a message of hope. We can make change in this country, I know from personal experience it can be done. In NYC, we gave pre-K to every child for free, we lowered crime, we raised the minimum wage to $15 per hour. There are good people on this stage, but there are real differences. Joe Biden told wealthy donors that nothing would change. For 40 years, working people have taken it on the chin in this country, the rich have gotten richer, it cannot go on this way. We will tax the hell out of the wealthy to make this a fairer country.
Bennet: Last week I saw "America love it or leave it" and it was on the outside of a church. I love America and I know we can make it better. Kids in poverty have the same hopes that I had and that Susan and I have for our 3 children. But we have been consumed by a president who frankly doesn't give a damn about your kids or mine. Mr. President, kids belong in classrooms, not cages. They deserve something better than a bully in the WH. Let's end this 3-ring circus in DC, and make this election about reclaiming our future. Empty promises won't be *rump. I can.
Inslee: I am running for president because the people in this room and the Democrats watching tonight are the last best hope for humanity on this planet. If we make defeating the climate crisis top priority, we will have a fighting chance saving humanity. This is a big bold ambitious plan for clean energy for a big bold ambitious nation. Middle ground approaches are not enough. We must confront the fossil fuel industry. We are at a tipping point. Whether we rise to this challenge is the vital question of our time. Let's get to work.
Gillibrand: My grandmother taught me that nothing is impossible. My mother was one of only 3 women in her law school class. If you want to get something done, just tell me it's impossible. I was told you can't repeatl DADT. When are civil rights ever convenient? We got it done. I was told you couldn't pass health care for 9/11 responders. We kept fighting. Just last week, we made the 9/11 health bill permanent. Beating *rump definitely not impossible. We need a nominee who will take on the big fights, doesn't know the meaning of impossible.
Gabbard: I served as a soldier and in Congress. I know what patriotism is. *Rump is not behaving like a patriot. As president, I will bring this spirit to the WH, serving all Americans, upholding the principles in our Constitution, fighting for justice and equality for all. I will bring this unifying spirit of love for country and the soldier's values of love of country to the WH.
Castro: Just a few days ago, we were reminded and inspired by our fellows in PR that public service is not about us, it's about you and your family. You and your family can have health care, a good education, and a good job, whether in cities or small towns. Too many people are struggling. I know what that's like. I don't want to make America anything again. I don't want us to go backward. We are going to move forward. Let's do that together.
Yang: You've heard that someone is running for president who wants to give everyone $1000 per month. This is an American idea. We need to do it because we already automated away millions of manufacturing jobs and chances are your job may be next. We need to do the opposite of what we're doing right now and the opposite of *rump is an Asian man who likes math. This would be $460 million per month in Detroit alone.
Booker: Last week the president of the US attacked an American city, calling it a disgusting rat-infested rodent mess. We need a nation that understands this tired language. *Rump from Charleston to Baltimore to the border is using the tired old language of demagogues, fearmongers, racists to try to divide the country against itself. Who are we as a people? We have serious problems in America. We have deep wounds and seriously deep challenges. We desperately need to heal and move forward. Our fates are united. We have a common destiny. We can unite in common cause and common purpose. That's how I will beat *rump, and as your president that's how I will govern and move us forward together.
Harris: This is a reflection on the history of our country. Who are we? I think most of know that we are better than this. So we must fight for the best of who we are. Fight of course we will. This is not a new fight for us as Americans. We have always fought for ideals. We have always been a nation who fights for who we are. I grew up marching for justice. I am prepared to fight with you and to successfully prosecute the case against 4 more years of *Rump.
Biden: I expect we will get engagement. I am running for president to restore the soul of this country. *Rump is ripping into the soul of this country. No one man has the capacity to rip us apart, we are too good. This is America. We are strong and great because of this diversity, not in spite of it, Mr. President. We love it, we are not leaving it. We are here to stay and we are certainly not going to leave it to you.
Health Care:
Harris: They are probably confused because they've not read it. I have been listening to American families, health care experts, providers. I need to create a plan responsive to the needs of the American people. Understanding that insurance companies have jacked up prices too long. I've listened to families who said 4 years is not enough, so I devised a plans with 10 years in transition. I've listened to families who want options. So public and private plans under Medicare. Access to health care must be a right and not just a privilege of those who can afford it.
Biden: The Senator has had several plans so far. Every time someone says 10 years, you should wonder why it takes 10 years. You will lose your insurance. You can't beat *rump with double talk on this plan.
Harris: You're simply inaccurate. The reality is that our plan will bring health care to all Americans. Our plan will allow people to sign up the first day. Babies will be born into our plan. We will ensure that everyone has access. Your plan, by contrast, leaves out 10 million Americans. So think about what you're saying. People want health care and do not want cost to be a barrier.
Biden: The plan costs... it will require middle-class taxes to go up, not down. What happens in the meantime?
Harris: The cost of doing nothing is far too expensive. We are now paying 3 trilion per year for health care, over the next years 6 trillion. We need full coverage. All people should have access.
DeBlasio: Folks I talk to about health insurance say their insurance isn't working for them because of the copays, deductibles, premiums, out of pocket expenses. There's this mythology that people love their health insurance. We need full coverage for all Americans.
Biden: Obamacare is working. Build on Obamacare. Give back all the things *rump took away. Provide a public option if they don't like their health care. It would take place immediately. My plans cost $750 billion, not $30 trillion.
Gillibrand: The viewers are at risk of losing the forest for the trees. Health care should be a human right. I had to rush my infant to the ER. I knew I could afford it. The truth in America today is people can't afford it. These plans that rely on insurance companies, I'm sorry, they're for-profit, they pay CEOs millions. They take too much out of the system. Republicans are trying to take away their health care.
Harris: Our M4A will get us where we need to go. Sen. Biden, your plan will allow insurance companies business as usual. People will still be in the situation where people to the ER need to come up with $5000.
Biden: Our plan is a maximum of $1000. No one has to keep their private insurance, but if they like their insurance they should be able to keep it. Nothing demands people keep private insurance. If they don't like it, they can buy in.
Booker: *Rump is enjoying this debate as we pit Democrats against each other as he tries to take away health care. I was raised by 2 civil rights parents who told me always keep your eyes on the prize. So every Democrat should stand with the belief that health care is a human right. We have to fix this broken system. We spend more than every other nation, multiples more. I'm going to work to M4A, everyone is covered. But this pitting us against each other, one is unrealistic, one doesn't cover enough.
Gabbard: We don't have a health care system, we have a sick care system. People cannot afford it. Companies have been profiting off the backs of the American people. Sibelius works for Medicare Advantage, who will profit under Harris' plan. We have to shut out big insurance and big pharma out of the plan so they cannot profit.
Harris: Unfortunately, Rep. Gabbard got it wrong, Ms. Sibelius did not write my plan, she endorsed it. I am going back to VP Biden because your plan does not cover everyone in America by your staff's and your definition. 10 million people will not have access to health care. In 2019 to be running with a plan that does not cover everyone, I think is without excuse.
Biden: My plan will cover everyone. My plan also calls for controlling drug prices. We have to now have a forim that sits in the HHS and says that as you develop drugs, we will set the price, and you cannot raise the price beyond inflation.
Bennet: I think M4A makes *rump elected more likely. I agree with a public option, let everyone pick private or public, provide competition. That is totally different from Warren, Sanders, Harris, which would make illegal employer-based health insurance and massively raise taxes. We don't need to do that, it doesn't make sense to take away insurance and raise taxes, when we can offer a public option and provide health insurance for everyone.
Castro: This is something personal for all Americans. I want to strengthen Medicare for people on it and expand it for those who want it. I do believe that people who want their insurance should keep it. I don't believe that anyone should be denied.
Harris: My plan does not offer anything illegal. It separates the employer and health care. I have met so many Americans who stick with a job they do not like simply because they need the health care. We also need to call in the companies and take them to task.
Bennet: If we can't admit the plan, banning employer-based insurance..., we need to be honest about what is in the plan. This would take 70% of what the government would collect in taxes in the next several years.
Harris: We cannot keep with the Republican talking points on this. Under my M4A plan, yes, employers will not be able to dictate their employees' health care. Employees can make the decision, under a private or public Medicare plan. It is misleading to suggest that employees want what their employers offer only.
Inslee: We need universal coverage, I am proud our state offers public option. We also haven't stopped there. We take care of our seniors. They are eligible to retire in dignity. It is time to give people adequate mental health care in this country. We have had some success integrating mental and physical health. We know we're being eaten alive by drug costs. We have driven down drug prices for lifesaving meds.
Yang: When I told my wife I was running for president, the first thing she asked me, "What are we going to do about health care?" Our system makes it harder to hire, harder to treat them well and make them full-time employees. If we get health insurance off the backs of employers, watch entrepreneurship expand.
DeBlasio: I don't understand why people on this stage are fearmongering. Why aren't we going to be the party that does something bold, that says we don't need to be dependent on private insurance? How about we be the party to disrupt the status quo for working people. Inaccurate about taxes. Americans pay so much for health care, that's worse than any tax.
Bennet: This has nothing to do with Republican talking points. This has to do with having faith that American people can choose. Sanders says that we have to raise taxes. Can't hide from the truth.
DeBlasio: If we say that we will offer the American people health care they can depend on. So many people don't have the health care they need, that is a fact.
Biden: The Republicans are trying to kill Obamacare. No one has to keep their insurance. They can buy into this plan. If they don't have any money they can get in free. This is "malarkey". There will be a deductible from their paycheck. Bernie acknowledges it.
Harris: Let's talk about math. The drug companies and the insurance companies last year profited $72 billion on the backs of American families. Under your plan, status quo, you do nothing to hold the insurance companies to task. In America today, 1 in 4 diabetics cannot afford insulin. It is immoral. It must change with M4A.
Biden: I have the only plan that limits the ability of insurance companies to charge high prices. We should put some of the executives in jail. Let's figure out how this works. We are immediately able to cover everyone who wants to get rid of private insurance they don't like.
Immigration:
Castro: If you elect me president, you're electing me to lead. Open borders is a right-wing talking point. I'm disappointed that some have taken the bait. The only way that we guarantee no family separations ever again is to repeal law. My immigration plan would make sure that we put undocumented immigrants without serious crime on a pathway to citizenship, and put a Marshall plan on Central America so people have opportunity at home. Smarter and humane.
Bennet: I disagree that we should decriminalize our border. Our mom is an immigrant and she was separated from her parents in Poland. I wrote the immigration bill with John McCain. It gave a pathway to citizenship, pass the Dream Act, had $46 billion in border security. That should be our position.
Harris: After the last debate, I went to Homestead, FL. There is a private detention facility paid for by your taxpayer dollars that currently houses 2700 children. They would not let members of the US Congress enter. I climbed a ladder, saw children walked into barracks. The policies of this administration facilitated by laws on the books that treat children as if they committed crimes.
Bennet: I think we all agree. We would not ever separate children from their parents at the border. That is what the administration has done in our name, turned our country into a symbol of nativism. The Statue of Liberty should be our symbol.
Gillibrand: Who are we talking about? I visited with women who fled violence. They are not criminals. We should have a civil violation. No president before *rump enforced the law in the way he enforces it. He is using it as a crutch to separate mothers and babies. We should not have a law that can be so misused.
Biden: I would not resume high deportation. Seeking asylum, these women are entitled, that is not crossing the border illegally. We should flood the zone to make decisions quickly. I already passed money for Central America to change circumstances. If you say you can just cross the border, what do you say to all those around the world want the same and have to wait in line? If you cross the border, you should be able to be sent back, it's a crime.
Castro: One of us has learned the lessons of the past and one of us hasn't. My immigration plan would also fix the broken legal immigration system because we do have a problem. The only way to guarantee this doesn't happen in the future is to repeal this law. There are other ways to limit immigration. We need politicians with guts on this issue.
Biden: This plan doesn't make sense. It is illegal to cross the border unless they're seeking asylum. Or they have to wait in line. The only reason this abuse happens is *rump.
Gabbard: Our hearts break seeing people crowded in cages in inhumane conditions. We can and should have both secure borders and humane immigration policies. Make it easier to seek asyulm, and people able to use our immigration system.
Yang: I am the son of immigrants. My father generated over 60 patents, a good deal for the US. If you go to a factory here in Michigan, you will find wall to wall machines. Immigrants are scapegoated for problems in our economy.
Booker: Again we are playing into Republican hands who have a very different view and trying to divide people. No, we are not going to just let people across open borders. The criminal courts are what gives *rump the way to violate human rights. Awful facilities, children in cages, nursing mothers. Using civil system, pilot programs with 100% compliance, people returned if no reason to be here. If they are seeking asylum, they can stay.
Biden: I agree. The asylum process is a real process that *rump is ruining. Significantly increase the number of legal immigrants. We can cherry pick from the best of every culture. Immigrants built this country. we should encourage people.
Inslee: We can no longer allow a white nationalist to be in the WH. We have to make America what it's always been, a place of refuge. Boost people we can accept. I'm proud to have said "send us your refugees". I'm ready for 2020.
DeBlasio: There are 11 million people here in theory broke the law, but they're part of the economy, they're our neighbors, it's the American reality. We need once and for all to fix it. Biden, you were VP when there were all these deportations. Did you think it was a good idea?
Biden: The president gave Dreamers and pathway to citizenship and increase number of immigrants and solve problems in Central America that causes immigration in the first place.
Gabbard: I don't think free college should be available for undocumented immigrants. I think we should fix legal immigration rather than put a Band-Aid on it. Everyone has crushing student debt. We need to solve that. This is about promise for our future.
DeBlasio: I agree with Ms. Gabbard. I don't hear an answer from the VP. Did he use his power to stop those deportations?
Biden: I was VP, I was not the president. I keep my recommendations private. Obama moved to fundamentally change the system. Much more has to be done.
Booker: Mr. VP, you can't have it both ways, you're dodging it. Playing the president's game, some immigrants worthy, some from "shithole countries". Don't let them divide this country against itself.
Biden: Immigrants made us great. I think Pres. Obama went out of his way to change the system and it got pushed back significantly.
Gillibrand: *Rump, under his administration 7 children died, families are torn apart. This party is talking about real solutions. Don't forget about our values. Treat others the way you want to be treated.