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On Wednesday night, the ninth Democratic presidential debate took place in Las Vegas, Nevada with Democratic candidates for president: Sanders, Bloomberg, Klobuchar, Warren, and Buttigieg.
The debate showed the varying relationships on the stage, especially between Bloomberg and his fellow candidates. The former New York City Mayor was the only newcomer on the stage and faced lots of heat from other candidates specifically over his treatment of women and words used in the past.
Former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg kept his cool during the debate amongst Sanders’ hits and a heated back-and-forth with Klobuchar. In getting his point made clear, he stated at the beginning of the debate, “Let’s put forward somebody who actually lives and works in a middle-class neighborhood in an industrial city. Let’s put forward someone who’s actually a Democrat.”
Buttigieg served as Mayor of South Bend from 2012 to 2020. He launched his campaign for the 2020 United States presidential election on April 14, 2019, becoming the first openly gay person to launch a major presidential campaign and earn presidential primary delegates from a major American political party. Buttigieg has since gained significant momentum as he has participated in several town halls, forums, and debates.
Buttigieg has triumphed in Iowa and came in a close second in New Hampshire, however, the public says that he has yet to grow his base of supporters from predominantly white, drawing in voters of color who have so far shunned his campaign. The former mayor’s struggle to appeal to African American voters may be his biggest challenge in the upcoming election. However, he has shown great ability in connecting with the young, Hispanic audience after speaking at the League of United Latin American Citizens presidential town hall in Las Vegas February 13.
During the debate, Buttigieg highlighted multiple issues that he has favored in his own campaign, including health care, climate policy, and small business taxes.
Compared to past debates, climate change seemed to be one of the most pressing issues to speak on for candidates, especially from current U.S. President’s personal and public views on the topic.
In September 2019, Buttigieg released a plan aiming to move the US to clean energy and agriculture, shield existing communities and industries from the effects of climate change and lead a global response to the crisis.
During the debate broadcast on NBC, Buttigieg emphasized many things including the importance of having leadership in this widespread issue and how the United States can be carbon neutral within the next 30 years.
Senator Bernie Sanders spoke on the issue as well. In his response to workers for the fracking industries, he said how it is necessary to leave behind fossil fuel practices and start using more sustainable energy sources for our country. He also expressed the urgency of the issue and responsibility that the U.S. has for the world and for future generations, ideas that are thoroughly represented in Sanders’ Green New Deal.
As the presidential election is coming up, the race could be decided in two weeks on Super Tuesday, when about one-third of the delegates are allocated. The total states that will be participating this year are Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia.
