Biden, Sanders debate platforms without the crowded stage. Or a crowd.
Standing six feet apart, the former vice president and senator pushed and pulled on the similarities between them. Our debate recap.
In the first Democratic presidential debate between the two primary finalists (sorry, Tulsi), stakes were high amid coronavirus fears and economic impact.
On March 15, former Vice President Joe Biden focused on bridging the gap between the differences between the two candidates, citing similar motives with different details and plans of execution. But Senator Bernie Sanders wasn’t interested. Instead, he drove home gaps in Biden’s policy records and action in the Senate, including those before and during his role as vice president to former President Barack Obama.
Biden emphasized that both candidates were similar — that they were united in the need to remove President Donald Trump from office. He mentioned that the two have similar priorities in terms of health care and climate change, among other things. That wasn’t enough for Sanders, who didn’t reciprocate the unifying statements.
Sanders “has [his] doubts” about whether Biden has the energy and momentum to defeat Trump in the coming election, who he said will be a tough opponent.
Importantly, Biden committed to picking a woman to be his vice president, which may encourage people to rally behind him. He didn’t specify who he was considering.
Sanders didn’t commit to picking a woman for vice president but said “in all likelihood,” he would do the same. He values progressive politics over picking a woman, although there are plenty of women who fit that bill, Sanders said.
Biden’s main goal in this debate was to unite the left, which he pursued by aligning himself to support Sanders’ goals. And he’s looking to capture Senator Elizabeth Warren’s former voters, too, after adopting her bankruptcy bill plan and supporting free tuition at state colleges.
With Biden predicted to win the states voting in Tuesday’s primary election — Florida, Arizona and Illinois (Ohio’s has been moved to June) — this debate may have helped solidify his position as the front-runner in delegate count. But the Sanders movement isn’t over yet, as the senator cited his bold plans and energy for tackling problems that have gone on too long.
Questions? Ask us at contact@govsight.co.
Like what you read but prefer to learn with your ears? Listen to the Insight Podcast by GovSight on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Podbean every Monday.
Follow GovSight on Twitter @GovSight1, Instagram @govsight and Facebook @GovSight. Go to govsight.com to see how GovSight is making “Citizenship. Simplified.”
