Democratic debate: Warren singled out for attacks on night of sharp divides – as it happened

Last modified: 04: 38 AM GMT+0

Twelve Democrats including Biden, Warren and Sanders face off in largest presidential primary debate in US history

Here are key takeaways from tonight's debate

Thanks for following the Guardian’s live coverage of the fourth Democratic presidential debate.

Here are some of the main takeaways from the event:

  • Elizabeth Warren weathered attacks from a number of her opponents in a clear sign that the Massachusetts senator has assumed frontrunner status in the race.
  • Bernie Sanders made an impressive campaign return after his heart attack two weeks ago, declaring himself to be in excellent health and reportedly securing the endorsements of three influential congresswomen.
  • Pete Buttigieg went on the attack against several of his opponents, criticizing proposals like Medicare for All and mandatory buybacks of assault weapons for allegedly being unrealistic.
  • Joe Biden largely moderated his criticisms of other candidates, with the exception of a moment toward the end of the debate when he confronted Warren and took credit for rallying votes to create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Warren responded by instead thanking Barack Obama for helping to make the agency a reality.
  • Tom Steyer failed to make a splash in his debate debut, speaking less than any other Democratic candidate.

Make sure to follow our usual live coverage of US politics starting tomorrow morning. We’ll see you at the next debate in Georgia.

Updated

Bernie Sanders now reportedly has the endorsement of three of the four members of “the Squad”, the well-known group of progressive freshman congresswomen.

However, a New York Times reporter highlighted the Squad member who is not endorsing him at this point: representative Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts.

Notice who's missing: Pressley. Who not only has Massachusetts connection to Warren but also is the Squad member playing inside game differently https://t.co/SH9z6pGuI1

— Steadman™ (@AsteadWesley) October 16, 2019

Updated

Beto O’Rourke is continuing his criticism of Pete Buttigieg offstage, arguing that the Indiana mayor relies on “polls” and “consultants” to determine his stances.

.@BetoORourke says @PeteButtigieg seems to be governed by "polls," "consultants" and "focus groups" on the issue of guns #DemDebate https://t.co/H9n7JKbYS7 pic.twitter.com/ECaUzkMYK3

— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 16, 2019

Buttigieg argued onstage tonight that O’Rourke’s proposal of a mandatory buyback program for assault weapons was unrealistic, advocating for a focus on more popular proposals like universal background checks.

Meanwhile, more information is simultaneously coming in about candidates’ fundraising numbers from the third quarter.

As a New York Times reporter noted, Joe Biden has fallen behind the other top-polling candidates in cash on hand.

NEWS: Joe Biden has $8.98 million cash on hand

Sanders: $33.7 million
Warren: $25.7 million
Buttigieg: $23.4 million
Harris: $10.5 million

— Shane Goldmacher (@ShaneGoldmacher) October 16, 2019

Amy Klobuchar, the Minnesota senator who has based her campaign around appealing to midwestern voters who swung to Trump in 2016, predicted the president would not carry her home state next year.

.@amyklobuchar tells @edokeefe that President Trump has told her twice, to her face, that he can win Minnesota in 2020.

"I can tell you, he's not going to win my state" #DemDebate https://t.co/H9n7JKbYS7 pic.twitter.com/mgzkks8AKk

— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 16, 2019

Trump has reportedly set his sights on Minnesota after narrowly losing the state to Hillary Clinton in 2016, but some of his advisers have privately expressed fears about the president keeping his hold on the rest of the midwest.

Updated

The final count is in, and Elizabeth Warren spoke far more than any other Democratic candidate onstage tonight.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren talked the most during the #DemDebate, followed by Joe Biden ⏱️ https://t.co/LoHaSt6ZKy pic.twitter.com/E1zZERWWB7

— CNN (@CNN) October 16, 2019

The tally is unsurprising, given how many candidates directly confronted Warren on everything from healthcare to regulation of tech companies.

The Massachusetts senator has clearly taken on frontrunner status and is attracting more attacks from her opponents as a result.

It depends on who you ask, but a range of voices on social media seem to think Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar had good nights – they were seen by some to have been able to lay out their centrist credentials a lot more effectively than they had before.

Buttigieg is taking on everyone tonight: Warren on policy, swatting back O'Rourke on guns. Instead of being Biden vs. Warren, tonight has often been Warren setting pace of policy debate + Buttigieg punching up as he tries to enter top tier in final few months ahead of IA and NH.

— Robert Costa (@costareports) October 16, 2019

Klobuchar brought her A game tonight. She is answering the questions, calling out Republicans and Trump, offering her solutions, comparing her "moderation" to Warren and Sanders. #DemocraticDebate

— Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) October 16, 2019

Buttigieg and Klobuchar doing a far better job than Biden in speaking to moderates in the party. Reminder: Biden isn’t good at this. Democrat donors should get the memo.

— Jedediah Bila (@JedediahBila) October 16, 2019

There were actual and audible gasps in the spin room here in Ohio when Pete Buttigieg said to Beto O’Rourke: I don't need lessons from you on "courage, political or personal."

That was a HUGE moment.

— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) October 16, 2019

But not everyone is convinced

The people who say Klobuchar and Buttigieg won the night must have been watching something else. Pete had one good moment on Syria. The rest of the time they were both insufferable.

— Jill Filipovic (@JillFilipovic) October 16, 2019

every time i hear people like Klobuchar and Buttigieg talk about insurance like we'll all cry about losing it i feel like i'm going crazy. literally nobody likes their insurance company. insurance companies suck and shouldn't exist.

— Erin democracy banshee Ryan (@morninggloria) October 16, 2019

Updated

Ilhan Omar endorses Sanders

Representative Ilhan Omar is endorsing the presidential bid of Bernie Sanders, the Vermont senator’s campaign announced.

The progressive congresswoman said in a statement released by Sanders’ campaign: “Bernie is leading a working class movement to defeat Donald Trump that transcends generation, ethnicity and geography. ... And it’s why Bernie is fighting to end our forever wars and truly prioritize human rights in our foreign policy—no matter who violates them. And it’s why I believe Bernie Sanders is the best candidate to take on Donald Trump in 2020.”

Sanders similarly praised Omar: “Ilhan is a leader of strength and courage. She will not back down from a fight with billionaires and the world’s most powerful corporations to transform our country so it works for all of us. I’m proud of what we’ve done in Congress, and together we will build a multiracial working class coalition to win the White House.”

Reports emerged tonight that representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez -- another member of the so-called “Squad,” a group of four progressive freshman congresswomen -- would endorse Sanders at his Saturday rally in Queens.

The Guardian confirms Ocasio-Cortez will endorse Sanders

The Guardian’s Lauren Gambino has confirmed that representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will endorse Bernie Sanders’ presidential bid at his Saturday rally in Queens.

.@BernieSanders campaign confirms that @AOC will endorse him at hi Bernie’s Back rally in Queens on Saturday

— Lauren Gambino (@laurenegambino) October 16, 2019

A Twitter account for a grassroots group that backs Sanders appeared to celebrate the news in a tweet, although the message did not mention the progressive congresswoman by name.

We

Believe

That

We

Will

Win.

— People for Bernie (@People4Bernie) October 16, 2019

Updated

While the final question of the night was focused on the candidate’s bipartisan friendships, there was from the CNN/New York Times moderators about climate change, LGBTQ rights, immigration or voter suppression.

Not one single question about the climate crisis.
Not one single question about the climate crisis.
Not one single question about the climate crisis.

This is the existential crisis of our time. Not one single question, and that’s completely inexcusable. #DemDebate

— Jay Inslee (@JayInslee) October 16, 2019

We get a question about Ellen and George W Bush, but nothing about climate change, China/Hong Kong, LGBTQ rights, immigration, education, affordable housing...

— Brandon Wall (@Walldo) October 16, 2019

the last question in a debate in which there have been zero questions about the climate crisis is HAVE YOU HAD A FRIENDSHIP LIKE ELLEN'S FRIENDSHIP WITH GEORGE W BUSH

— Kate Aronoff (@KateAronoff) October 16, 2019

ANDERSON COOPER: Irreversible climate change is going to doom all mankind to a painful heat death if we don't act soon. So, obviously, I've gotta ask: Who's your shittiest friend and why

— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) October 16, 2019

Wait the question everyone has to weigh in on is... on surprising special friendships? I know I missed the first half of this debate but was there a question on rampant and systemic voter suppression?

— Rebecca Traister (@rtraister) October 16, 2019

CNN is asking candidates about Ellen & George W Bush but not a single question about voting rights in 31 debates in 2020/2016

— Ari Berman (@AriBerman) October 16, 2019

Updated

Trump campaign releases statement on the debate

Trump’s re-election campaign released a statement on the debate, saying the Democratic candidates threatened to “unravel the hottest economy in modern history”.

The full statement reads: “A dozen Democrats stood on stage tonight and made several things clear. They have always wanted to impeach President Trump, they have always wanted to eliminate employer-provided health insurance, they have always wanted to raise your taxes, and they have always wanted to unravel the hottest economy in modern history.

“Another thing was also clear: Once again, President Trump was the hands-down winner of this debate.”

Updated

The debate has concluded

Answering the question of a surprising friendship he has had, Joe Biden cited his relationship with the late senator John McCain, echoing Amy Klobuchar.

And with that, the debate has ended after more than three hours, running slightly over its allotted time.

The candidates have offered very diverse answers on the question of a surprising friendship that they have had in life.

Yang: A guy named Fred who is a trucker. He was a Trump supporter and and now supports me.
Harris: Senator Rand Paul.
Buttigieg: My friendships made while serving in the military with different political views from me.

— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) October 16, 2019

However, the candidates have also used the final question to plug their campaign websites and upcoming events as a sort of unofficial closing statement.

Joe Biden’s visibly angry reaction to Elizabeth Warren over one of her signature achievements hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“I got you votes!” Biden shouted, referring to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which Warren proposed in 2007 then established under Obama in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.

You can watch the moment here:

Here's that Biden vs. Warren exchange on the CFPB >> pic.twitter.com/NE2fPCwvZO

— MJ Lee (@mj_lee) October 16, 2019

“i went on the floor and got you votes! I got you votes!” biden says while pointing his finger in warren’s face and raising his voice.

try and convince me he doesn’t have issues towards women.

— marisa kabas (@MarisaKabas) October 16, 2019

Ok now that it’s been a few minutes can I just say that Biden shouldn’t yell at Warren like that again. Not a good look.

— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) October 16, 2019

Biden came off as way too aggressive there. Warren kind of saved him by making a lighthearted joke about Obama.

— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) October 16, 2019

Ocasio-Cortez reportedly endorsing Sanders

The debate is scheduled to conclude in just a few minutes, but the biggest news right now is happening offstage.

Bernie Sanders has teased the audience about the special guest at his upcoming rally in Queens. The Washington Post is now reporting that the guest will be representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is endorsing the Vermont senator’s presidential bid.

The Post reports:

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, one of the most influential voices among young liberals and a rising Democratic star, plans to endorse Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) for president and appear with him at a rally on Saturday, according to two people with knowledge of her plans.

The surprise endorsement is a political coup for Sanders, 78, who has been fading in the polls and has faced growing questions about his age and health ...

The endorsement could be a blow for Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who, like Sanders, is running on a platform of sweeping liberal change and who has emphasized her role as a female pioneer.

Updated

Amy Klobuchar recounted her friendship with the late Republican John McCain, saying she misses her former colleague “every day”.

.@amyklobuchar “For me, it’s John McCain, and I miss him every day,” says that we should “change the tone in our politics,” and “look up from our phones and look at each other.”

— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) October 16, 2019

Beto O’Rourke also cited his friendship with a Republican colleague, specifically representative Will Hurd. The pair participated in a road trip to highlight the ability to cross the political aisle.

Updated

The moderators have reached the final question of this three-hour debate and are turning to the issue of friendship. (Yes, friendship.)

CNN’s Anderson Cooper referenced a recent controversy over talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres appearing to joke around with George W Bush, the Republican president who opposed gay marriage and launched the Iraq war.

The candidates were asked to describe a friendship they have had that would “surprise us”.

Tulsi Gabbard certainly delivered on the surprise element, citing her friendship with former Republican congressman Trey Gowdy, who was in talks this month to join Trump’s team to combat impeachment efforts.

Updated

Meanwhile, Trump is tweeting about the impeachment inquiry, falsely arguing that the whistleblower who raised concerns about his Ukraine call has been proven wrong on key points.

.... It also brings Shifty’s fraudulent MADE UP CALL, which he read to the United States Congress pretending it to be the words of President Trump, which they were not! Nancy Pelosi is involved in this fraud in that she confirmed his fraudulent words on @GMA, and much more!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 16, 2019

In reality, the White House’s own memo on the call confirmed key aspects of the whistleblower’s account. Namely, Trump discussed a possible investigation of Joe Biden with the Ukrainian president and encouraged the foreign leader to work with his attorney general and Rudy Giuliani to investigate corruption.

Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are presenting a united front in defending their progressive vision for the country.

The team effort is notable given that Warren has pulled ahead of Sanders in recent polls.

However, that trend has not stopped Sanders from consistently siding with his Senate colleague on issues like Medicare for All.

Updated

Warren slights Biden by thanking Obama

Joe Biden went after Elizabeth Warren by saying that he helped secure the votes to create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which the Massachusetts senator was citing as one of her accomplishments.

Asked to respond, Warren said she was so grateful to Barack Obama for making the CFPB a reality, prompting some gasps in the press room here in Westerville.

Updated

Biden says Warren, Sanders are 'vague' on Medicare for All

Joe Biden has been asked whether the “visions” offered by Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren would be able to attract enough voters to defeat Trump.

The former vice-president initially answered by focusing on the alleged lack of feasibility in passing the pair’s proposals. Biden said he was the only person onstage who has gotten something “really big” enacted.

When specifically pressed on who was being “vague”, as Biden claimed, he cited Warren and Sanders’ comments about Medicare for All.

Updated

On the question of reproductive rights, Tulsi Gabbard said she supported “some restrictions” on access to abortion.

Joe Biden defended reproductive rights as a “constitutional right” but voiced opposition to the idea of expanding the number of supreme court justices to protect Roe v Wade.

Pete Buttigieg, who has backed the idea of so-called “court-packing”, argued that the proposal would actually help to “depoliticize” the judicial branch.

Updated

Andrew Yang has caught the attention of debate watchers tonight by reminding them that Bing – Microsoft’s search engine – still exists.

But it’s not good news for the plucky Google rival, as Yang reserved one of his most withering put downs of the night for it.

YANG on Big Tech: It’s not like any of us wants to use the 4th best navigation app… there’s a reason why no one is using Bing today… Sorry Microsoft, it’s true. pic.twitter.com/nPFntPaBNa

— Dan Diamond (@ddiamond) October 16, 2019

YANG DINGS BING

— Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) October 16, 2019

What did Bing ever do to Yang? #DemocraticDebate

— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) October 16, 2019

Andrew Yang, out of nowhere: That's why nobody "Bing'd" today. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/Klwhjnqy2L

— Christian (@KyloCool630) October 16, 2019

Updated

Moderators ask reproductive rights question

CNN’s Erin Burnett is asking candidates about reproductive rights, implicitly responding to critics who have complained about the lack of questions on the topic this election cycle.

Kamala Harris said her justice department would review any state law that seeks to limit access to abortion.

Amy Klobuchar criticized Trump’s stance on the issue and argued for the necessity of funding Planned Parenthood.

Bernie Sanders has fuelled speculation after mentioning that he will be joined by a very special guest at his rally in Queens this Saturday.

Who could it be? Here are some of the predictions being made:

Bernie's "big rally with a special guest in Queens": either Paul Simon singing about the 59th St Bridge or a foreshadowing of an AOC endorsement.

— Jedediah Purdy (@JedediahSPurdy) October 16, 2019

the special guest at Bernie Sanders’ rally in Queens will be Cardi B, won’t it?? #demdebate

— Cristina Everett (@cristinaeverett) October 16, 2019

I may be wrong but...Bernie’s debate answer about the upcoming Queens rally and “special guest,” plus this tweet that AOC liked, makes me think that she is going to endorse Bernie on Saturday in NYC. #DemocraticDebate pic.twitter.com/7qujYLIMMD

— Billy Freeland (@policyjunkie) October 16, 2019

Bernie: The special guest is each and every one of you!
*whole crowd groans* https://t.co/SJHeiDW64b

— 👻☠️Chicago School Reform Act☠️👻 (@WillWBloom) October 15, 2019

Kamala Harris has become the latest candidate to directly take on Elizabeth Warren, this time on the issue of Trump’s Twitter account.

Harris has pushed Twitter to shutter the president’s account, arguing that it is a matter of “corporate accountability”.

Warren responded to Harris’ confrontation by saying she wanted to focus on kicking Trump out of the White House and noted she was not taking money from tech executives.

Repeatedly pressed by Harris, Warren kept redirecting attention away from the matter of Trump’s Twitter account and toward the issue of money in politics, arguing tech companies had too much political influence.

Updated

Elizabeth Warren has repeatedly found herself at odds tonight with, among several other candidates, Andrew Yang.

The tech entrepreneur argued that the Massachusetts senator’s proposal to break up tech companies would not sufficiently revive America’s economy amid the decline of manufacturing jobs.

Warren responded by emphasizing that a Democratic president would need to crack down on monopolies regardless.

Andrew Yang v Elizabeth Warren

Yang goes after Warren again saying that breaking up big tech companies is not going to revive U.S. We need new solutions, Yang says.

Warren pushes back: I am not willing to let a handful of monopolies rule America. We need to break up companies.

— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) October 16, 2019

We have reached the second commercial break of the Democratic debate, which gives the blog a chance to zoom out on what we have seen so far.

Pete Buttigieg has repeatedly attempted to reframe the debate in terms of his more moderate proposals, repeatedly attacking Elizabeth Warren on issues like healthcare.

His strategy emphasizes how the Indiana mayor is trying to pitch himself to voters as an alternative to Joe Biden.

At the two-hour mark of a three-hour debate, only a few candidates have briefly mentioned the climate crisis.

Tom Steyer pivoted from a question about foreign policy to call Trump’s complete lack of climate policies a “disaster” and argue that the US needs to work with the world to fight rising heat-trapping pollution. Bernie Sanders said fossil fuel companies are destroying the world and should be held liable. Pete Buttigieg touted the opportunities of wind power.

But moderators still haven’t asked any climate questions.

Previous debates have included short segments on the climate crisis, near the end of the allotted time.

Climate activists have feared television networks and moderators might not focus much on the issue, after presidential hopefuls participated in two separate climate events last month.

In those events – a town hall and a forum – candidates did not interact with one another because the Democratic National Committee has refused to allow a climate-focused debate.

Updated

Joe Biden, who the moderators noted would turn 80 during his first term, handled the question about his health by emphasizing the “wisdom” that comes with his age.

The former vice president reiterated his promise to release his health records before voting begins in Iowa, the first caucus state.

When pressed on whether he would release the records this year, Biden would not commit to that timeline and instead repeated that he would release them before Iowa voting starts.

Sanders: 'I'm healthy, I'm feeling great'

Bernie Sanders was trying to jump into a conversation about the opioid epidemic when moderator Erin Burnett interjected with a question about his health.

Sanders, who suffered a heart attack earlier this month, said: “I’m healthy, I’m feeling great.” He then pivoted to answer the opioid question.

Turning to the issue of his health, Sanders plugged his upcoming rally in Queens, New York. He predicted that the event would settle any concerns about his health.

Sanders then took the time to thank his fellow candidates “from the bottom of my heart” for their well wishes after his heart attack. He said: “I’m so happy to be with you this evening.”

Updated

Julián Castro mentioned the killing of Atatiana Jefferson in his home state of Texas over the weekend.

The death of Jefferson, an African-American woman who was fatally shot by a police officer as she babysat her nephew, has sparked outrage in recent days.

Julian Castro brings up killing of Atatiana Jefferson in Fort Worth, TX, by a police officer
"I am not going to give these police officers another reason to go door to door in certain communities because police violence is also gun violence and we need to address that" pic.twitter.com/xjKLUb0dh2

— Salvador Hernandez (@SalHernandez) October 16, 2019

And now, on a sartorial note ... Tom Steyer’s tie has come under more fire tonight than Elizabeth Warren. At least that’s how it seems looking at the reactions on Twitter:

Tom Steyer -- worth an estimated $1.6 billion -- wears only one tie. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/MkogFnbi7J

— Eli Yokley (@eyokley) October 16, 2019

Also, Tom Steyer is wearing a plaid tie, and there are limits to what we can accept in a president#DemDebate live

— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) October 16, 2019

I think we can all unite against a common enemy: Tom Steyer’s tie. #DemDebate

— Jennifer Mendelsohn 🇺🇸 (@CleverTitleTK) October 16, 2019

I’m going to say it — Tom Steyer’s tie should be disqualifying under DNC rules.

— Mark McDevitt, but spooky 👻🎃 (@MarkTMcDevitt) October 15, 2019

Updated

An NPR reporter shared this very fun fact about a unique connection between two of the Democrats participating in tonight’s debate.

A reminder, Buttigieg won a "Profile in Courage" essay contest as a high school student in 2000. His topic choice: Bernie Sanders. https://t.co/Bq0lm5TjOC https://t.co/T0TND3OU18

— Asma Khalid (@asmamk) October 16, 2019

Two of the more moderate candidates onstage, Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar, pushed back against the proposal of mandatory buybacks of assault weapons.

But the pair emphasized that they have not backed the idea principally because they did not consider it feasible to pass such a proposal.

It’s notable that Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar aren’t opposing mandatory gun buybacks on the merits. They just want to focus on other, more popular gun control policies.

— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) October 16, 2019

O'Rourke and Buttigieg clash over guns

Beto O’Rourke was pressed on how he would enforce his mandatory buyback program of assault weapons.

O’Rourke has said he would track down the guns that are not turned in through the program, but he struggled to explain how he would do so.

Pete Buttigieg, who had previously criticized O’Rourke’s proposal, said the former Texas congressman had shown in his answer that the idea was unrealistic.

Buttigieg said that the country “can’t wait” for gun control reform, arguing that candidates should focus on more popular proposals like universal background checks.

On the issue of proposing bold change, Buttigieg told O’Rourke: “I don’t need lessons from you on courage.”

Updated

Tulsi Gabbard has been accused by some debate viewers of following a pro-Assad line in her response to Trump’s controversial withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria.

This is what she said (while defending herself against claims of being an “Assad apologist”):

Tulsi Gabbard calls The New York Times and CNN — the hosts of the debate — "completely despicable" for alleging she is a Russian asset and Assad apologist. pic.twitter.com/0pzpA4nvRo

— Axios (@axios) October 16, 2019

And here’s how people have responded:

Tulsi Gabbard is blaming everyone but Trump and Syria. Remarkable.

— Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) October 16, 2019

How odd to listen to Tulsi Gabbard mouthing Syrian and Russian talking points on the Democratic debate stage...sorry but no one thinks US troops withdrawn by Trump were there as part of a 'regime change war' by the US. It's as untruthful as anything from POTUS.

— Susan Glasser (@sbg1) October 16, 2019

However some commentators have praised her for her proposal, including the editorial director of the Nation:

Tulsi Gabbard is right to indict bipartisan support for regime change wars— and right to call out NYT, others for smearing her for ending sanctions— another form of warfare- and for dissenting views

— Katrina vandenHeuvel (@KatrinaNation) October 16, 2019

Meanwhile, this was Pete Buttigieg’s response to Gabbard:

The slaughter going on in Syria is not the consequence of American presence, it is the consequence of American withdrawal and betrayal. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/zeVL3hQp4W

— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) October 16, 2019

Updated

Steyer brings up the climate crisis

Tom Steyer chose to redirect the conversation toward the climate crisis.

Asked a question about foreign policy, the billionaire activist said Trump’s policies had been a “disaster” but then pivoted to discussing the climate.

Steyer said: “We can’t solve the climate crisis in the US by ourselves, but we have to work with our allies and our frenemies around the world.”

(Yes, he did indeed say “frenemies”.)

  • This post was amended on 16 October 2019. The headline of an earlier version incorrectly said Tom Steyer was the first candidate to raise the issue of the climate crisis. This has been corrected.

Updated

Calling upon his long record as a senator and vice-president, Joe Biden used his foreign policy answer to note he was the only candidate who has spent extensive time with Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin.

Biden explained the threat Putin poses to America while gesturing to his right, where Bernie Sanders is standing. Sanders responded by joking that Biden was calling him Putin, prompting laughs from the candidates and the audience.

On a more serious note, Biden warned that Trump was putting the country in danger by being a “crazy, erratic president who knows not a damn thing about foreign policy”.

Updated

With the exception of Tulsi Gabbard, the Democratic presidential candidates have been largely unified in their criticism of Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria.

Kamala Harris said Trump “sold out the Kurds”, and the decision demonstrated “why dude gotta go”.

Julián Castro emphasized reports that the troop withdrawal, and the subsequent military action by Turkey, had allowed at least hundreds of people held at Isis prisons to escape.

Updated

Two veterans onstage spar over Syria

The two veterans onstage, Pete Buttigieg and Tulsi Gabbard, clashed over the proper course of action in Syria.

Gabbard argued Buttigieg was fueling endless wars in the Middle East, but the Indiana mayor shot back that the Hawaii congresswoman was “wrong” and backing the abandonment of critical US allies.

Tulsi Gabbard: So you want to keep soldiers in Syria indefinitely and have an endless war?

Pete Buttigieg: No. But we need to back people up and not abandon allies like Kurds. Trump's actions are taking away "honor" of U.S. troops and his actions "betrayed" American credibility.

— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) October 16, 2019

Moderators are now questioning the candidates about Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria.

Joe Biden said that the troop withdrawal was the “most shameful thing any president has done in modern history”.

BIG TOPIC: SYRIA.

Joe Biden on President Trump's withdrawal from Syria: "Most shameful thing any president has done in modern history...Turkey is the real problem here."

Bidens adds he would protect Kurds. "It is shameful, shameful what this man (Trump) has done."

— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) October 16, 2019

Tulsi Gabbard, an Iraq war veteran who has criticized America’s ongoing wars in the Middle East, said that the blame for what is happening in Syria did not solely belong to Trump.

The Hawaii congresswoman argued that other politicians had fueled the violent situation in Syria.

Updated

As we head into the second half of the debate, here is how much each candidate has spoken so far, via the New York Times’ live tracker

Updated

Here are the key takeaways from the debate so far:

  • Democratic candidates are ganging up on Elizabeth Warren now that the Massachusetts senator has assumed frontrunner status.
  • Joe Biden denied any wrongdoing by himself or his son in Hunter Biden’s business dealings overseas, forcefully pushing back against Trump’s false corruption claims.
  • Two candidates, Kamala Harris and Cory Booker, raised the issue of reproductive rights because debate moderators have yet to ask a specific question about it.

The first commercial break has ended, so stay tuned.

Even Beto O’Rourke is going after Elizabeth Warren, which is interesting given that he is far less moderate than candidates like Pete Buttigieg or Amy Klobuchar.

The former Texas congressman said the Massachusetts senator was too focused on “being punitive”.

Beto O'Rourke also jabs Warren.

“Senator Warren is more focused on being punitive,” he says, “...instead of lifting people up.”

— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) October 16, 2019

As the debate turns to wealth inequality Tom Steyer – the only billionaire on stage – finally gets his say.

He has waited 40 minutes to get into the debate and uses it to hit out at the power of corporations. It’s met with mixed results:

Wow, thank you @TomSteyer -- it is truly refreshing to hear a billionaire speak honestly about the way big corporations and the super-rich have gamed the system for people like yourself.

#DemDebate #DemocraticDebate

— Sally Kohn (@sallykohn) October 16, 2019

Shoutout to @TomSteyer for buying himself a spot in the Democratic primary when there is virtually no chance of him winning at all. Bold of him to so generously waste our time and his money.

— Anthony “The Rock” Fantano (@theneedledrop) October 16, 2019

Tom Steyer says corporations have bought government for 40 years, but he's bought his way on to the stage tonight.

— Robert Reich (@RBReich) October 16, 2019

Was it worth it, Tom Steyer? For this?

— Ross Douthat (@DouthatNYT) October 16, 2019

And as Guardian US columnist Robert Reich has also pointed out, Warren’s follow-up was particularly punchy:

Warren's best line of night: Why do everyone else on stage think it more important to protect billionaires than to invest in Americans?

— Robert Reich (@RBReich) October 16, 2019

Updated

A HuffPost reporter noted that Amy Klobuchar’s strategy of attacking Elizbaeth Warren at every turn has been tried at previous debates, namely by John Delaney, and has proven to be ... less than successful.

Amy Klobuchar pulling a John Delaney and going after Elizabeth Warren at every opportunity, which worked out so well for John Delaney that he’s no longer on the debate stage.

— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) October 16, 2019

Amy Klobuchar really wants a fight with Elizabeth Warren. Asked about a wealth tax, Klobuchar instead pivoted to provide a “reality check” to Warren.

The Minnesota senator accused Warren of falsely portraying other candidates’ plans and presenting her proposals as the only option.

"I want to give a reality check to Elizabeth," says Amy Klobuchar. "No one on this stage wants to protect billionaires."

— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) October 16, 2019

Moderators tried to draw a fight out between Joe Biden and candidates like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren who have endorsed a wealth tax.

But the former vice-president did not take the bait, instead emphasizing that billionaires should pay more in taxes.

Updated

This was Joe Biden’s response when asked about his son Hunter’s business dealings in Ukraine, which have been the target of many false claims by Trump:

Joe Biden at the #DemDebate: "My son did nothing wrong. I did nothing wrong. I carried out the policy of the United States government in rooting out corruption in Ukraine."https://t.co/Z1frXDVH8r pic.twitter.com/5EJ8rYmCnC

— The New York Times (@nytimes) October 16, 2019

Sanders and billionaire Steyer agree on wealth tax

Candidates are now taking a question on American income inequality. Specifically, the moderators asked Bernie Sanders about his proposed wealth tax.

Pressed on whether the plan is intended to tax billionaires out of existence, Sanders argued that the country’s current level of income inequality is a “moral and economic outrage”.

The moderators then turned to Tom Steyer, whom they identified as the only billionaire onstage. But the wealthy activist echoed Sanders’ demand for a wealth tax to combat income inequality.

The campaign of Pete Buttigieg is amplifying the Indiana mayor’s attack on Elizabeth Warren by tweeting a video of him criticizing the frontrunner’s healthcare proposal.

My plan, Medicare for All Who Want It, will get you covered and put you back in charge. It won’t raise your taxes or kick you off a plan you want to keep. Because I trust you to make the right health care decisions for yourself and your family. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/55Yo6f8Xdd

— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) October 16, 2019

Cory Booker interestingly used one of his answers to chastise the moderators for asking Joe Biden about his son’s business activities overseas.

The New Jersey senator said that the moderators were “using Trump’s lies” by raising the issue and argued Biden should not have to defend himself against false corruption claims.

Interesting turn from NJ.

Booker made a dig at moderators by saying: We are literally using Trump's lies.

Booker says Joe Biden should not have to defend himself against Trump's Ukraine allegations and that only Trump and the GOP were enjoying watching Dems talk about Ukraine.

— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) October 16, 2019

A feature of tonight’s debate is how the more centrist candidates have turned their early fire on Elizabeth Warren. As the candidate with the most momentum it seems she has also become the focus of most of the early attacks, particularly over her healthcare plan.

Here’s how some commentators are interpreting the centrist charge

Notable that Warren is getting a lot of screen time on Medicare for All, even as Sanders notes he wrote the bill. And notable that it's Buttigieg (and now Klobuchar), not Biden, who's taking on her position, at least for now. Some more moderate candidates are looking to gain...

— Robert Costa (@costareports) October 16, 2019

Klobuchar, Buggigieg, Bernie trashing Warren for refusing to admit she will raise taxes for her healthcare plan. #DemDebate

— Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) October 16, 2019

WOAH. ANOTHER BIG MOMENT.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar just accused Sen. Elizabeth Warren of essentially peddling a "pipe dream" with her healthcare plan rather than a plan that can be realistically implemented.

— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) October 16, 2019

Lots of journalists & pundits on Twitter tonight, including those I admire, saying Warren is wrong to give a 'taxes will go up under Medicare for All' soundbite. She's not. She's thinking of the general. And it won't hurt her. And she's right: overall *costs* will go down.

— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) October 16, 2019

Harris, Booker raise the issue of reproductive rights

Kamala Harris interrupted the contentious conversation about Medicare-for-all to demand more attention be given to reproductive rights.

The California senator noted that debate moderators have yet to ask a question specifically about reproductive rights, and Harris argued that Republicans were putting women’s lives at risk with restrictive abortion policies.

Minutes later, Cory Booker similarly said that the candidates should devote more attention to reproductive rights tonight. The New Jersey senator praised Harris for raising the issue but said that men should also be actively engaged in the fight for reproductive rights.

Warren and Sanders team up once again

Bernie Sanders appears to be once again taking the side of Elizabeth Warren as the two progressive senators team up against their more moderate opponents.

Joe Biden, Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg all criticized Warren for endorsing a costly Medicare for All plan that they called unrealistic.

Sanders, who has based his campaign around Medicare for All, jumped in to argue that the current US healthcare system was unsustainable and that Americans deserved better.

Updated

The knives are out for Elizabeth Warren tonight now that the Massachusetts senator has taken the frontrunner title.

Amy Klobuchar repeatedly criticized Warren for being allegedly unrealistic about what she would be able to achieve in healthcare reform if she were president.

The Minnesota senator said that the distinction between Medicare-for-all and her healthcare proposal, which focuses on enacting a public option, is the “difference between a plan and a pipe dream.”

Candidates hammer Warren on her healthcare plan

Bernie Sanders acknowledged in his healthcare answer that taxes would go up if his Medicare-for-all plan were enacted.

Elizabeth Warren responded to Sanders by once again emphasizing costs over taxes and repeating that costs would go down overall for the middle class with her plan.

Amy Kobuchar, echoing Pete Buttigieg, accused Warren of dodging the cost question. The Minnesota senator said: “At least Bernie is being honest.”

Updated

Buttigieg accuses Warren of dodging on healthcare question

The moderators have quickly moved on from the question of Hunter Biden’s business activities and posed a question to Elizabeth Warren about how she would pay for her healthcare plan.

Repeatedly pressed on whether she would raise taxes on the middle class to pay for her Medicare for All plan, Warren said: “I will not sign a bill into law that will not lower costs for middle-class families.”

The moderators noted that Pete Buttigieg has accused Warren of being evasive on the question of paying for her plan. Buttigieg said that Warren had once again refused to answer “yes” or “no” to a “yes or no” question.

Warren responded that Buttigieg’s “Medicare for All who want it” plan is really a “Medicare for All who can afford it” plan, which Buttigieg pushed back against.

Updated

Biden questioned about his son's business activities

Joe Biden was asked a question about the foreign business activities of his son, Hunter, and why he considered it appropriate for his family to do such work overseas when he was president.

Emphasizing that there is no evidence to substantiate Trump’s corruption claims against him or his son, Biden said: “My son did nothing wrong. I did nothing wrong. I carried out the policy of the United States government.”

Biden argued that Trump was peddling these false corruption claims because he is scared to run against the former vice president. Biden said that, if nominated, Trump knows “I will beat him like a drum”.

Updated

Tom Steyer is making his debate debut tonight, and he opened his answer on impeachment by applauding his Democratic opponents, saying that any of them would make a better president than Trump.

Steyer first rose to prominence by pushing for Trump’s impeachment long before news of the Ukraine controversy broke, and the billionaire activist hopes to build upon that name recognition tonight.

Updated

Pete Buttigieg said that Trump’s behavior and the inaction of congressional Republicans had left Democrats with no choice but to pursue impeachment.

However, the Indiana mayor emphasized that candidates had to focus on what they would do after Trump left office.

Buttigieg said that, as president, he would help the country “turn the page” and achieve change.

Amy Klobuchar said Trump had engaged in “illegal conduct” in his communications with the Ukrainian president.

But the Minnesota senator then shifted to a much more sweeping condemnation of the president, citing his decision to withdraw US forces from northern Syria and abandon America’s Kurdish allies.

Klobuchar concluded that Trump had consistently placed his personal interests above those of the country.

Harris on impeachment: 'I know a confession when I see it'

Calling upon her record as a former prosecutor, Kamala Harris said that Trump has told the American people about the ways in which he has violated the constitution.

Harris said of Trump’s comments on his controversial Ukraine call: “I know a confession when I see it.”

The memo the White House released on the call proved that Trump discussed a possible investigation of Joe Biden with the Ukrainian president.

The impeachment question is now being posed to other candidates, starting with Bernie Sanders.

The Vermont senator said that Trump has ignored the constitution in a number of ways, including by holding onto his business interests in alleged violation of the emoluments clause.

Joe Biden, who was in the Senate during Bill Clinton’s impeachment, said that he thought Democrats have been appropriately deliberative when it comes to considering the president’s removal.

First question on impeachment goes to Warren

The first question goes to Elizabeth Warren, and CNN’s Anderson Cooper asked why she supported Trump’s impeachment with the 2020 election a year away. Cooper asked if it should be the American electorate who “determines the president’s fate.”

Warren responded that some issues go beyond politics and that the alleged constitutional violations Trump has committed would send a message to all future presidents about the country’s democratic values.

Warren concluded: “The impeachment must go forward.”

Debate starts

The fourth Democratic presidential debate, featuring the largest field to ever share one stage, has begun.

Here is how to watch the debate

The candidates are taking the stage and the debate is set to start in about five minutes, so here is how you can watch it.

Tonight’s debate at Otterbein University in Ohio is being jointly hosted by CNN and the New York Times and can be streamed on both outlets’ websites.

The moderators are CNN hosts Anderson Cooper and Erin Burnett and Times national editor Marc Lacey. The event marks the first debate the Times has hosted in more than a decade.

And the blog will be providing lives updates and analysis on the candidates’ answers, so stay tuned.

Candidates take the stage

The dozen Democratic presidential candidates participating in tonight’s debate are taking the stage at Otterbein University in Ohio.

Spare a thought for the Rosencrantzes and Guildensterns of the Democratic primary tonight: the half-dozen candidates who didn’t make the debate stage but are still running for president. If you think Julián Castro or Tulsi Gabbard are long shots, these are astronomical.

Some of them will doubtless be watching from afar; others are defiantly holding rival events likely to draw rather less national attention. Self-help author Marianne Williamson, for example, will be speaking about “the spirit of America” to an audience in Encinitas, California.

Senator Michael Bennet is holding a town hall in Iowa tonight, then heading to New Hampshire, where former congressman Joe Sestak is on day three of an epic walk. Sestak has also just launched a campaign ad, “United”, that emphasises his military background and how he entered politics after his daughter overcame brain cancer.

But the debate will be a sharp reminder that time is running out for former congressman John Delaney, first to enter the race in July 2017, Governor Steve Bullock and Congressman Tim Ryan – all of whom are presumably still hoping that Joe Biden and Amy Klobuchar will somehow implode, leaving the centre lane open.

Delaney embarks on his 37th trip to Iowa this week. According to the Washington Post, Bullock had a withering putdown when asked about this week’s debate. “We may well be, like two-thirds of Iowans, not even watching,” he told reporters.

The dozen Democratic presidential candidates participating tonight will take the Ohio stage in just fifteen minutes, and they are offering previews of their performances over Twitter.

Joe Biden made clear he intended to focus attention away from the false corruption claims Trump has leveled against him:

For days, pundits have let Donald Trump define the conversation around tonight's #DemDebate.

Well, Trump doesn't get to pick the Democratic nominee. And I’m not going to be distracted by all his lies, smears, distortions, and name-calling. He’s picked a fight with the wrong guy.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 15, 2019

Elizabeth Warren reiterated her demand for “big, structural change”:

It was so great to meet Gabrielle Marie Perez and Geisel Dieguez, who won the @TeamWarren contest to join me at tonight's #DemDebate! Together, we're fighting for big, structural change, so students like them can have a brighter future. pic.twitter.com/OCMjTHp3CF

— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) October 15, 2019

Bernie Sanders criticized Trump for “demonizing” Latinos and immigrants:

Donald Trump thinks he can win re-election by demonizing Latinos and immigrants.

He's dead wrong.

We know the Latinx community makes our country richer and stronger. #HispanicHeritageMonth pic.twitter.com/4h4zDeKbBO

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) October 15, 2019

And Kamala Harris went over her debate notes in a very liberally blue suit:

All love for my president. Let’s go. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/dvefn9Iskg

— Lily Adams (@adamslily) October 15, 2019

Sanders makes his campaign return after heart attack

Bernie is back! After being hospitalized for a heart attack earlier this month, Bernie Sanders, 78, needs to assuage concerns about is health and age and convince he is mentally and physically fit to be president, one of the most demanding jobs in the world.

Sen. @BernieSanders on stage for his walk through. I asked him about his prep this weekend and he told me (in his very Bernie dry way):

“I try to anticipate the questions that will be asked and then dealing with complicated answers in a 75 seconds or 45 seconds or whatever.” pic.twitter.com/n78fJNgpcJ

— Ryan Nobles (@ryanobles) October 15, 2019

Health has always been treated with delicately on the campaign trail, but Sanders health scare places a new emphasis on a delicate question: how old is too old to be president?

In recent interviews, Sanders has parried questions about whether he is physically well enough to stand for a three-hour debate as complex questions are volleyed among a debate stage with 11 rivals.

A proud, one-time long distance runner, the senator has indicated that he intends to be a vision of vim and vigor on the debate stage Tuesday night.

The candidate has been off the trail since he experienced chest pains at an event 1 Oct. event in Las Vegas and had two stents to clear an artery blockage. He has been recuperating at his home in Burlington.

Supporters and allies believe Sanders health problems could provide an opportunity for the senator to make a more personal case for his signature healthcare policy, Medicare for all. Sanders has struggled to connect his policy with his personal story, even as his campaign has tried to coax him into conveying his softer side.

Sanders, who repeatedly polls third in national and state primary surveys, has fiercely defended his campaign’s handling of the incident, amid criticism over it’s decision not to immediately disclose that the senator suffered a heart attack.

The Democrats could not be making history tonight for packing the most presidential candidates ever onto a single debate stage were it not for the participation of every single one of the 12 contenders.

But there is one candidate to whom extra credit might properly accrue for making the Democratic dozen happen tonight, and she is representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii. Because to be here, Gabbard had to overcome her own threat, made just days ago, not to be here.

Last Friday, Gabbard released a video saying “I’m seriously considering boycotting the next debate” because, she claimed, the Democratic party “and the corporate media are rigging the election again.” Like Donald Trump, who likes to float conspiracies about “rigged” elections, Gabbard did not go into specifics.

I am seriously considering boycotting October 15 debate to bring attention to DNC/corporate media’s effort to rig the 2020 primary. Not against Bernie this time, but against voters in early states Iowa, New Hampshire, South… --> https://t.co/x5P3GFGbyn pic.twitter.com/zBk9ONd3f5

— Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) October 11, 2019

The difference between Trump and Gabbard is that Trump won, while Gabbard is polling at less than 1% nationally and appears to be a longshot to qualify for the next debate in November.

In any case on Monday she announced that she would debate after all.

I will be attending the debate.

— Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) October 14, 2019

Senator Amy Klobuchar promptly dunked on her on Twitter.

Same. https://t.co/3KgU1KXvFT

— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) October 14, 2019

Here are the candidates participating tonight

The debate is now about 30 minutes away, so it seems like a good time to reintroduce each of the candidates who will be participating tonight.

Here they are, in order of their podium placement from center stage:

  • Joe Biden, the former vice president who has become the focus of false corruption allegations by Trump and his allies in recent weeks.
  • Elizabeth Warren, the Massachusetts senator who has started to creep ahead of Biden in early voting states as the Democratic base responds to her progressive message.
  • Bernie Sanders, the Vermont senator and two-time presidential candidate who is making his campaign return tonight after suffering a heart attack earlier this month.
  • Pete Buttigieg, the millennial mayor from Indiana who seems to be offering himself as a fresher alternative to Biden.
  • Kamala Harris, the California senator and former state attorney general who has promised to prosecute the case against Trump but has fallen behind in recent polling.
  • Andrew Yang, the tech entrepreneur has pulled ahead of more “establishment” candidates with his campaign promise of a universal basic income.
  • Cory Booker, the New Jersey senator who enjoyed a fundraising boost late last month after warning he may have to drop out of the race if he did not see an uptick in donations.
  • Beto O’Rourke, the former Texas congressman and Senate candidate who has increasingly focused on gun control since the mass shooting in his hometown of El Paso in August.
  • Tom Steyer, the billionaire activist who rose to prominence by advocating for Trump’s impeachment and is now making his debate debut after a late campaign launch.
  • Amy Klobuchar, the Minnesota senator who has based her campaign around appealing to Midwestern voters who swung from Barack Obama in 2012 to Trump in 2016.
  • Tulsi Gabbard, the Hawaii congresswoman who threatened to boycott tonight’s debate over her claim that the Democratic National Committee is “rigging” the election.
  • Julian Castro, the former San Antonio mayor and housing and urban development secretary who launched an uneven attack on Biden during the last debate.

All 12 of those candidates will soon face off on one debate stage here in Westerville, Ohio, so stay tuned.

Updated

Tonight the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination converges on Ohio, where 12 candidates will meet on a debate stage at Otterbein University in Westerville, a suburb of Columbus.

For decades, Ohio has been the consummate presidential battleground. No president since John F Kennedy has won the White House without the Buckeye State.

The state once represented the crossroads of the nation, a place where Appalachia meets the Midwest, where industry and agriculture prosper and where growing suburbs surrounded diverse urban centers.

But its status as the nation’s bellwether has faded in recent years as Ohio has failed to keep pace with the demographic changes transforming the country. The state is now older, whiter and less educated than the national average, and as a result, has become more reliably Republican.

Donald Trump won Ohio by 8.5 percentage points, the widest margin of any “swing” state. The margin of victory in traditional battleground states is typically much closer, as it was in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, the three Midwestern states that delivered Trump the White House. By comparison, Hillary Clinton lost the traditional Republican strongholds of Arizona and Georgia by 3.5 percentage points and 5 percentage points respectively.

And last year, every Ohio Democrat running a statewide race lost, except for senator Sherrod Brown, who won re-election and nearly used that victory to run for president on the strength of his ability to win as a populist in the Rust Belt. That same year Democrats won governorships in Wisconsin and Michigan after losing the states to Trump in 2016.

Some Ohio Democrats insist the state is still in play for Democrats, noting Trump’s unpopularity here. A recent Emerson poll of Ohio voters found that Trump’s approval rating in Ohio hovered at 43% with a disapproval of 51%, mirroring his national approval rating. Meanwhile, 47% of Ohio voters said they supported impeachment, compared with 43% who said they did not.

But the demographics here make it difficult for Democrats to succeed.

“Ohio being selected as a debate site is a nice consolation prize. But don’t mistake it as a fundamental shift in the 2020 political map,” Bret Larkin, the former editorial director of the Plain Dealer, wrote in an op-ed. “And Ohioans should not expect to see much of the party’s nominee in the crucial months of next August, September and October.”

Read more on why Democrats are meeting tonight in Westerville:

Schiff: Trump's Ukraine call 'didn't happen in isolation'

As we prepare for the debate to start in less than an hour, we are also following updates from House Democratic leaders’ press conference on Capitol Hill about the impeachment inquiry.

Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House intelligence committee, said the panel’s closed-door interviews in recent days has made it seem like Trump’s controversial phone call with the Ukrainian president “didn’t happen in isolation.”

Schiff says House investigators have learned from their inquiry that Trump’s call with Zelensky “didn’t happen in isolation.” Says testimony shows there was a lot of prep work leading to it and lots of follow-up after. pic.twitter.com/8c7V6ID3md

— Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) October 15, 2019

Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi, the House speaker, took a seat with reporters as Schiff provided an update on the impeachment investigation.

While Schiff was talking, Pelosi came and sat down with reporters. I can report that my feet are very tired, and she is wearing much higher heels than I am. pic.twitter.com/gZpNzpfVee

— Addy Baird (@addysue) October 15, 2019

Four candidates face threat of failing to qualify for next debate

Twelve candidates will participate in tonight’s debate, but only two-thirds of them have secured their place in the next face-off.

The fifth Democratic presidential debate will take place on November 20 in Georgia, and only eight candidates – Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris, Andrew Yang, Cory Booker and Tom Steyer – have qualified so far.

The other four candidates on tonight’s stage – Beto O’Rourke, Amy Klobuchar, Tulsi Gabbard and Julián Castro – have not yet met the polling requirement for the next debate.

In order to qualify, O’Rourke and Klobuchar both need at least three more polls where they receive 3 percent or more nationally or in one of the four early-voting states. Gabbard and Castro each need at least four more qualifying polls because neither of them has any yet. (Candidates can also qualify by reaching at least 5 percent in two polls of the early-voting states.)

The four contenders have until November 13 to meet the requirement, but even with four weeks to hit the goal, it will be a difficult climb. Their best chance at winning a spike in polling might be to pull an attention-grabbing stunt at tonight’s debate, perhaps by confronting one of the frontrunners like Biden or Warren. So stay tuned to see if it happens.

Millions of debate viewers will likely have the same question on their minds when the candidates take the stage tonight: Who’s the new guy?

This is supposed to be a process of elimination, and through three previous debates, the Democratic field has indeed shrunk. But the debate stage will expand temporarily on Tuesday to admit one new face, billionaire activist Tom Steyer.

So glad to have #TeamTom here with me in Ohio. Make sure you follow @TomHQ for updates from the ground tonight and throughout the campaign. pic.twitter.com/Rkg3Xr1tfL

— Tom Steyer (@TomSteyer) October 15, 2019

Steyer, 62, who made a fortune as a hedge fund manager, is a favorite in progressive circles not only for championing causes such as climate activism and the impeachment of Donald Trump, but also for putting his money where his mouth is. He has donated hundreds of millions of dollars over the years to progressive causes.

What has some Democrats feeling a bit miffed tonight is that now Steyer is ... putting his mouth where his money is and stepping forward as a presidential candidate himself.

The American public will see Steyer in debate form for the first time tonight. What will they hear when he opens his mouth – an activist’s resolve or a rich man’s hubris?

Democrats prepare to face off in largest presidential primary debate ever

Hello, live blog readers!

Welcome to part four of the Democratic presidential debate series. The Guardian is here at the debate site of Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, just outside of Columbus. Our team will be bringing you live updates and analysis as the 12 candidates participating tonight face off in the largest presidential primary debate in history.

The debate will get under way at 8pm ET. Before it starts, my colleagues and I will provide some context on each of the candidates onstage, those who did not qualify and the significance of the debate location. To start, read my five expectations for tonight’s event.

The Guardian team will have plenty more analysis before the debate starts, so stay tuned.

Updated

Contributors

Joan E Greve in Westerville, Ohio

The GuardianTramp

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