The first Democratic debate of the year and the last standoff between the presidential candidates before the Iowa caucuses took place Tuesday night with the smallest stage of participants so far in the campaign cycle. Sens. Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar, former Vice President Joe Biden, South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and businessman Tom Steyer were the only candidates who were able to qualify with the increasing requirements. 

For those too busy to enjoy the festivities, here are the top moments from the seventh Democratic primary debate. 


1. Bernie and Warren sparred on whether or not a woman can win the election.

Earlier this week, CNN reported a story about a leaked conversation from 2018 in which Warren shared with Sanders that she planned on running for president. Having received the news, Sanders reportedly told her that he did not believe a woman could win the presidency. Despite a vigorous denial from Sanders, Warren stood behind the validity of the report, saying in a statement Monday, "I thought a woman could win; he disagreed."

When the topic came up on the debate stage, Warren looked to maintain her friendship with Sanders while also swinging a devastating blow in their battle for progressive voters.

2. Tom Steyer Hits On Climate Change 

Tom Steyer again pushed the issue of climate change, promising to declare a state of emergency on climate during day 1 of a potential Steyer administration. 

While many of his competitors do also hold the issue in high importance none of the other candidates have proposed making the move as early as Steyer has.

3. Bernie strongly pushed for Medicare for All.

By far the largest point of the Sanders campaign has been the Vermont senator's push for a Medicare for All program that he, again, defended passionately on the debate stage.

Medicare for All is a point that was largely brought from Sanders' 2016 campaign, which also centered around a similar set of healthcare issues.

4. Buttigieg and Biden addressed their polar opposite Black voter support.

Mayor Buttigieg, who, since announcing his campaign, has seen terrible numbers in polls with Black voters, attempted to link his poor numbers with not being well-known, pointing to Black support within his own South Bend community as evidence. 

“The Black voters who know me best are supporting me,” Buttigieg said. “The biggest mistake we could make is to take Black voters for granted, and I never will.”

On the contrary, Biden made sure to differentiate himself from the rest of the field by touting his extremely high numbers among especially older Black voters who, up to this point, have guided him into the lead.

5. Amy Klobuchar calls out the influence of money on politicians

Klobuchar took her moment in the sun to reiterate the point made by many that lobbyist groups have far too much power over politicians that are sent to Washington. 

"The issue here is that there are two Pharma lobbyists for every Member of Congress — they think they own Washington, they don't own me," Klobuchar said.

While a few competitors, like entrepreneur Andrew Yang and recent dropout Sen. Cory Booker, were missing during Tuesday night's debate, this last gathering of the candidates before the first votes are cast in Iowa means we only have a short time to wait until the fruits of their labor are revealed February 3.

To learn more about the events of the debate watch this:


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