Democratic presidential debate 2019: 5 memorable moments from Thursday’s matchup

LOS ANGELES — Seven candidates took the stage in Los Angeles on Thursday night for the sixth Democratic presidential primary debate, including former Vice President Joe Biden; South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg; Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.; Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.; businessman Tom Steyer; Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.; and entrepreneur Andrew Yang.

Here are five memorable moments from the event:

1. Warren, Buttigieg spar over ‘wine cave’ billionaires

Warren minced no words as she hammered Buttigieg about a recent high-dollar fundraiser and the perceived elite status of its donors.

“Billionaires in wine caves should not pick the next president of the United States, Mr. Mayor,” Warren said.

Buttigieg, however, pointed out he is not only the least wealthy of the party’s current contenders, but Warren shifted millions from her Senate to presidential campaigns, which included support from her own high-dollar donors.

“This is the problem with issuing purity tests you cannot yourself pass,” Buttigieg retorted sharply.

2. Yang’s mere presence onstage highlights slate’s diversity woes

“Why am I the lone candidate of color on this stage,” Yang asked after calling it “both an honor and disappointment” to hold the distinction.

With Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., exiting the race earlier this month and Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., failing to qualify for Thursday’s debate, Yang bemoaned the lack of diversity in the current pool.

3. Biden urges bipartisanship despite having ‘no, no, no love’ for Republican adversaries

Biden pulled no punches in calling for bipartisan cooperation to re-establish order and efficiency in government, but disputed the idea that defeating President Donald Trump would, by itself, usher in a return to normalcy.

“Look, I didn't say return to normal. Normal’s not enough,” Biden said, after explaining even the Republicans calling for an investigation of his son would not discourage his push for bipartisan solutions.

“If anyone has reason to be angry with the Republicans and not want to cooperate, it’s me. The way they’ve attacked me, my son, my family — I have no, no, no love,” Biden said. “The fact is we have to be able to get things done. And when we can’t convince them, we go out and beat them like we did in the 2018 election in red states and in purple states."

4. Experience takes center stage in Klobuchar, Buttigieg exchange

While being careful not to downplay Buttigieg’s military service, Klobuchar questioned whether the South Bend mayor has the institutional knowledge needed to prevail on a much larger scale, especially considering his recently failed bid to chair the Democratic National Committee.

“We should have someone heading up this ticket that has actually won and has been able to show they can gather the support that you talk about — moderate Republicans and independents — as well as a fired up Democratic base and not just done it once. I have done it three times. I think winning matters,” she said.

Undeterred, Buttigieg’s said re-election to his current office demonstrates his ability to not only win but do so under less-than-ideal conditions.

“If you want to talk about the capacity to win, try putting together a coalition to bring you back to office with 80 percent of the vote as a gay dude in Mike Pence’s Indiana,” he said to applause.

5. Warren’s comeback game was strong

Age and its many nuanced applications continued to dog the candidates as moderator Tim Alberta pointed out Sanders, 78, Biden, 77, and Warren, 70, would each be the oldest president inaugurated if their bids succeed. Meanwhile, Buttigieg, 37, would be the youngest U.S. president ever elected if he emerges the winner.

Warren zinged perhaps the best response of the night when Alberta asked what she thought about the prospect of being the oldest Commander in Chief ever inaugurated.

“I’d also be the youngest woman ever inaugurated,” she retorted, drawing thunderous applause – and laughter – from the audience.

© 2019 Cox Media Group