[ot-caption title=”A caricature of the five Democratic candidates for President of the United States in 2016, from left to right: Webb, O’Malley, Sanders, Clinton, and Chafee (via, Google Images, Flickr, Donkey Hotey).”]

On Tuesday, October 13th, in the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, CNN held the first Democratic Debate for the 2016 Presidential Election. Hilary Clinton, former Secretary of State, Senator of New York and First Lady, took her place in the center surrounded by Bernie Sanders, the second place Senator of Vermont, Jim Webb, former Senator of Virginia, Martin O’Malley, former Maryland Governor, and Lincoln Chafee, former Governor and Senator of Rhode Island. Though many were anticipating incumbent Vice President Joe Biden to join the race, Biden still has not made a decision on whether he will do so and therefore did not participate in the debate. The debate began at 8:30 P.M. with each candidate introducing him or herself. Then, Anderson Cooper, CNN’s moderator, began to address the candidates regarding fundamental issues facing the United States today.

According to the Los Angeles Times’ Doyle McManus, “Clinton’s long experience showed. She was a virtual talking-point machine, turning nearly every question in the direction of something she wanted to say.” The New York Times claimed that Hilary Clinton “reminded us why she’s the front runner, with her experience, command of the issues and strength in communicating ideas.” Clinton proved her skill through highlighting her progressive ideals and accomplishments saying, “I’m a progressive, but I’m a progressive who likes to get things done.” When asked about her alleged political expediency, she defended herself by saying, “I do absorb new information, I do look at what’s happening in the world.” Throughout the debate, Clinton expressed her views regarding equal pay for both genders, gun control, and paid family leave. One of her goals is to raise the minimum wage. Regarding foreign policy, Clinton wants a no fly zone in Syria and to stand up to Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin.

On the other hand, some online polls, according to the Huffington Post, indicate that Bernie Sanders may have won the debate. Among the most memorable moments of the night was when Sanders jumped in to defend Clinton’s email scandal, in which Clinton used her personal email server to complete business as Secretary of State.  When Clinton was asked about the situation, Sanders interjected, saying, “Let me say something that may not be great politics…and that is that the American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn emails.” He added, “Enough of the emails. Let’s talk about the real issues facing America.”  This exclamation got a standing ovation from the audience, and Clinton thanked Sanders as they shook hands.

Bernie Sanders is described as a Democratic socialist who is against America’s “rigged economy” with the wealthy prospering and the middle class struggling. Sanders was criticized by his opponents during the debate, who claim that he was not strict enough on the policy.  Furthermore, Cooper questioned Sanders on whether he thought that the American people would even elect a Democratic Socialist into the White House.  According to CNN, the other candidates including Webb, O’Malley, and Chafee, failed to make lasting impressions.  Prior to this debate, the Democratic candidates, such as Martin O’Malley, were upset with the lack of Democratic debates, but there are now more scheduled to promote the political party. The next Presidential Debate takes place on October 28, 2015 and will feature the Republican candidates.

Sources: CNN, Huffington Post, New York Times, L.A. Times, Election Central, NewsDay, HillaryClinton.com