Democrats in spirited first debate of 2020 cycle

Ten Democrats stepped into the national spotlight Wednesday kicking off their party's first debate of the 2020 presidential race, as Elizabeth Warren took centre stage to argue that her progressive policies can defeat incumbent Donald Trump.

The biggest American political debate since the 2016 presidential campaign is occurring over two nights in Miami, climaxing Thursday with former vice president Joe Biden squaring off against nine challengers, including number two candidate Bernie Sanders.

Despite the feverish political climate in Washington and heavy campaigning in early voting states, millions of Americans were tuning in to the 2020 race for the first time, eager to hear from some candidates who are only now introducing themselves to a national audience.

What they heard right off the bat was Warren knocking what she has routinely called a rigged economy, and quick clashes between candidates on issues like health care.

"Who's this economy really working for?" asked Warren, who received the first question.

"When you've got a government, when you have an economy that does great for those with money and is not doing great for everyone else, that is corruption, pure and simple," the US senator and former Harvard law professor added. "We need to call it out."
Candidates parried questions at a rapid pace, including de Blasio, who paused to remind viewers -- and his rivals -- that "this Democratic Party has to be strong and bold and progressive."