Joe Biden comes under fire in Democratic TV debate

Fierce exchanges focus on criminal justice reform, healthcare and immigration

Joe Biden, the former US vicepresident, came under intense attack from many of his rivals when 10 of the Democratic presidential contenders on Wednesday debated issues from healthcare to race to immigration.

Following a sharp attack from Senator Kamala Harris in the first Democratic debate last month, Mr Biden came under even heavier fire at the second debate.

Some of the lesser known candidates, including Senator Cory Booker, took aim at the frontrunner,

in an effort to create “breakout” moments that could help them stand out in the record field of 25 Democratic contenders vying for the right to challenge Donald Trump.

While the candidates sparred over a range of issues, the most heated debates were over criminal justice reform, healthcare policy, and how to tackle illegal immigration.

Returning to the issue that helped her score points over Mr Biden last month, Ms Harris accused him of failing to accept that in the Senate he had sided with segregationists who opposed the busing of children into mixed-race schools.

“Had those segregationists had their way, I would not be a member of the US Senate, Cory Booker would not be a member of the US Senate, and Barack Obama would not have been in a position to nominate you [as vice-president],” Ms Harris said.

After sparring with Ms Harris over healthcare policy, over which she has appeared to change her position, he said: “My response is that the senator has had several plans.”

Mr Biden, who has called for the expansion of Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, criticised Ms Harris’ version of “Medicare for All”, which would expand the public provision of healthcare over 10 years.