Tonight kicks off round two of the primary debates for the Democrats. Since so many are still running, they’ve been split into two groups again with ten candidates appearing on the stage each night.
CNN hosts this time, with Dana Bash, Don Lemon, and Jake Tapper moderating.
Night one includes: author Marianne Williamson; Steve Bullock, Mayor Pete Buttigieg; Tim Ryan; Sen. Amy Klobuchar; Sen. Bernie Sanders; Sen. Elizabeth Warren; John Delaney, Beto O’Rourke; and former Gov. John Hickenlooper.
Expect gun control to be a hot topic following the shooting in California a few days ago. Several candidates have already called for more gun control in light of the tragedy.
One more mass shooting: more dead, more suffering. We need universal background checks. Outlaw bump stocks, close loopholes, ban AR 15s and bullets needed to shoot them. All of us must show up now. ONLY support politicians willing to stand up to the NRA. https://t.co/2tRNmxUzrK
— Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) July 29, 2019
Ban the sale of assault weapons. https://t.co/qO2BXLG13I
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) July 29, 2019
Two candidates to watch: Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. The two have very similar platforms, yet Warren seems to be doing better than Sanders this time. Will they turn on each other? The Sanders campaign says no, but when asked on CNN last week about what he admires about Warren, Sanders couldn’t come up with much of a response.
It's always nice to say something nice about your competitor, right? I asked @BernieSanders what he admires about @ewarren — before they face off in the @cnn Debate next week… pic.twitter.com/2rDThtBVdm
— Poppy Harlow (@PoppyHarlowCNN) July 23, 2019
Hickenlooper seems to be trying to engage Warren though, even before the debate starts and often plays as one of the more moderate democrats in the field. Expect him to try to jump in, stand out and gain traction tonight.
.@ewarren has some big ideas that have an even bigger cost. We proved in Colorado that you don't need big, expensive government programs to achieve progressive goals. Let’s talk about it tomorrow night. #DetroitDebate
— John Hickenlooper (@Hickenlooper) July 29, 2019
Others who need a standout moment: Beto O’Rourke, who failed miserably during round one; Amy Klobuchar, who’s also trying to play to the moderate and independent crowd, yet isn’t getting much traction with millennials because she doesn’t want to give them free college; John Delany, Tim Ryan and Steve Bullock – they’re not household names and if they want to continue, they need to make a splash.
Will South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg be a target again? Things haven’t exactly gone well for him in his hometown after a police shooting and it was a tense moment between him and Swalwell last night, so it will be interesting to see if other candidates bring it up now that Swalwell is out.
Expect the controversy in Baltimore to come up both nights with lots of racism talk aimed at President Trump.
The president’s continuing racist attacks on the American city of Baltimore are part of his project to divide America: white versus black, rural versus urban. A president should serve all Americans. This one is busy weakening our country.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) July 29, 2019
Why does Trump continue to use racism, bigotry and xenophobia to divide us?
Because he can only win when the people of this country turn against each other.
We are much more powerful than him, and the rest of the billionaire class, when we are united.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 29, 2019
Where to watch: CNN will broadcast the debate starting at 8 p.m. EST.