United States: offensive favorite Joe Biden in Democratic debate

The favorite of the Democratic primary was combative in a televised debate Thursday night, ticking his main rivals Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders.

He was not destabilized by the attacks: waited on his pugnacity, the favorite at the Democratic primary Joe Biden led the debate on Thursday night, facing his opponents. After a summer marked by mistakes and confused remarks that raised doubts about his form, Joe Biden, 76, defended his centrist positions for nearly three hours.

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In attacking his two progressive rivals from the outset, he portrayed their universal medical coverage project as unrealistic and defended his own plan to improve the health insurance system: "I can explain how to fund it, how to implement and why it is better. " At the exit of the plateau, the veteran of the policy boasted, in a tweet, to have "demonstrated why I am the only candidate who can (…) produce tangible results for the families of workers".

The former vice president of Barack Obama has also claimed, on several occasions, his ties with the first black president of the United States still very popular in the Democratic electorate. Despite his missteps, Joe Biden remains firmly in the lead polls (26.8% according to the average RealClearPolitics site). Popular in the labor basins and in the black community, he enjoys a moderate image capable of defeating Donald Trump in 2020.

In a notable moment, a small candidate, capping at 1% polls, yet seemed to question Joe Biden's abilities: "Have you ever forgotten what you said two minutes ago?" Julian teased Castro, former Minister of Barack Obama, attracting boos to the public.

Firearms Discussion

Prancing behind Joe Biden in the polls, Bernie Sanders (17.3%) and Elizabeth Warren (16.8%) maintained a united front during these exchanges in Houston, Texas. The broken voice, the 78-year-old independent senator repeatedly pinned the favorite, including his support for the US intervention in Iraq.

Rising star of the primary, Elizabeth Warren, 70, she has avoided attacking her rivals, sticking to the strategy that has succeeded so far. Without a flash, she unfolded her program already expanded, very left, personal testimonials to support. "I know what is broken, I know how to fix it and I will fight to do it".

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After several deadly shootings this summer, including two in Texas, gun issues have given rise to strong moments. Former House of Representatives Beto O'Rourke, a native of this state, has pleaded for the confiscation of assault rifles in a country where the carrying of arms divides deeply. "Of course we'll take your AR-15, your AK-47," he said to loud applause. Five months before the first votes of the primary, in Iowa, this show marks the acceleration of the campaign. Twenty candidates are still in the running, a record.

"A little guy with a fragile ego"

For the small candidates, this debate marked an important opportunity to shine … and to attract the necessary funds to continue the campaign. After a bounce against Biden in June, Senator Kamala Harris fell back into the polls (6.5%).

Complete the list the young mayor of South Bend, Pete Buttigieg (4.8%), the businessman and only non-professional politician onstage Andrew Yang (3%), Beto O'Rourke (2.8 %), Senator Cory Booker (2.3%), Senator Amy Klobuchar (1.2%) and former Obama Minister Julian Castro (1%).

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Behind the often lively exchanges, only one subject was unanimously among the ten candidates: the imperative to beat Donald Trump. "The most dangerous president of history", a "white extremist" but also a "little guy" to "the fragile ego": attacks have rocketed against the billionaire Republican. Opposite, Donald Trump is campaigning for his reelection by portraying his opponents as "socialists" threatening the "American dream".

While the Democrats were debating, he quipped at a dinner with Republicans on "Joe the Asleep," "Bernie the Fool" and "Pocahontas" in reference to the controversy over Native American origins long claimed by Elizabeth Warren.