The first debate of 2020 took place in Iowa on January 14. Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar and Tom Steyer were the candidates who took part in the debate. In order to qualify for the January debate, candidates had to secure 225,000 unique donors and earn 5% in four DNC-approved national polls or 7% in two DNC-approved early state polls released between November 16 and January 10.
In contrast to the previous debate, Andrew Yang- the only candidate of color who was be able to qualify for the previous debate, didn’t take part in this debate. During the previous debate Andrew Yang hoped that the other candidates of color, particularly Cory Booker, would be able to take part in the upcoming debate and he would not be the only one. But, not only did the other candidates fail in doing that but Andrew Yang himself did not overcome the threshold of the debate requirements. Moreover, Cory Booker dropped out of the presidential race. Earlier, among non-white candidates Kamala Harris and Julian Castro had suspended their presidential campaigns.
Naturally, one the most important discussions of this debate was the Iranian issue, more specifically the question ‘’which of the candidates was best prepared to be commander-in-chief’’. Bernie Sanders pointed out the fact of him being against the Iraq war criticizing Joe Biden for voting in favour of the start of the military actions in Iraq. Biden, in response mentioned that he had already admitted that it was a mistake, adding that Barack Obama asked him to put an end to that war, which he actually did by taking out 156 thousand troops.
There was also a reference to the issue of North Korea on whether the candidates were ready to meet with the leader of North Korea without preconditions. Tom Steyer and Joe Biden gave a negative answer to the question. The latter noted that he would not meet with the Supreme Leader, who had previously said that ‘’Joe Biden is a rabid dog, he should be beaten to death with a stick’’.
One of the pivotal episodes was the dispute between Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Prior to the debate there was a wide media coverage on Elizabeth Warren’s allegations, that back in 2018 Bernie Sanders told her a woman couldn’t win in 2020 elections. Already in the debate, Bernie Sanders flatly denied those allegations citing the fact that Hilary Clinton received 3 million more votes in 2016 elections.
The attack on Bernie Sanders seems not to be a coincidence as in one of the last most important polls in Iowa Bernie Sanders edged out his competitors, and even President Trump reacted to that. Elizabeth Warren after targeting Bernie Sanders refused to shake his hand at the end of the debate.
Elizabeth Warren used the fact of her being a woman as a card up her sleeve. She pointed out that she and Amy Klobuchar were the only people onstage who had never lost an election. While Warren herself is the only candidate who defeated a Republican incumbent in the last 30 years.
This debate in Iowa was the last one before the February 3rd primary elections in this state. Till February 25 it is expected to have 3 more debates in each of the early primary states (New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina).