Biden, Sanders finally share one-on-one debate
Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders are set to meet Sunday night in their first oneto-one presidential primary debate after months of Democratic free-for-alls that presaged a dramatic culling of the field since the opening round of the 2020 race.
Some key questions to look for about the debate, which takes place before the next round of primaries Tuesday, when 577 delegates are at stake in Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio.
The coronavirus outbreak has overturned American life, but it is unclear whether the unfolding crisis changes a race that Biden leads with more than half the delegates already awarded.
Sanders has been saying that the pandemic demonstrates the need for his “Medicare for All” universal health insurance plan, along with other expansion of a social safety net.
To Biden, it’s a moment to make the case against President Donald Trump’s competence.
On Thursday he outlined his own government-wide coronavirus response and introduced a group of blue chip advisers.
What changes in an empty studio?
The virus forced network host CNN to dispense with a live audience in Phoenix and move the debate to Washington.
Sanders feeds off the energy of a large audience.
Biden has drawn smaller crowds than Sanders throughout his campaign, but he also has shown more spirit and energy as crowds have gotten larger and friendlier.
The veteran politicians will meet Sunday without being able to process how their answers and interactions are playing with voters.
How aggressive is Sanders?
Sanders recently shushed a rally crowd that booed Biden. “Nope, nope, nope,” Sanders admonished, calling
Biden a “friend of mind” who’s “wrong on the issues.” But will that hold with Sanders now needing 57% of the remaining delegates to win the nomination?
He hasn’t been shy about highlighting Biden’s record. Sanders has cited Biden’s Senate votes for international trade deals, his participation in budget negotiations that would curtail some entitlement spending, his support for the war powers that allowed President George W. Bush to invade Iraq and Biden’s fundraising from wealthy donors.
But does Sanders only highlight differences and emphasize his own vision? Or does Sanders risk dividing the party by attacking Biden as another “corporate Democrat” selling out the working class?
How does Biden reach out?
“Unifying the country” has been a pillar of Biden’s campaign. It’s mostly a play to independents, centrist Democrats and moderate Republicans.
But Biden has reached out to the left flank in recent weeks. It’s a balancing act given that he has harped on Sanders’ identity as a “democratic socialist” and suggested that if Democrats “want a nominee who’s a Democrat,” they should back Biden.