Live Analysis: Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg top targets in fifth Democratic debate

Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg are expected to be the top targets tonight as 10 Democratic presidential hopefuls face off on the debate stage in Atlanta.

The Herald will offer live analysis of the action, which begins at 9 p.m. and will be broadcast on MSNBC and the Washington Post’s website.

The Massachusetts senator and mayor of South Bend, Ind., will be joined by former Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, entrepreneur Andrew Yang and billionaire Tom Steyer.

Warren is likely to face continued scrutiny over how she’ll pay for “Medicare for All.” Her backing of the government-run plan has repeatedly drawn fire from moderates including Biden, Buttigieg and Klobuchar, and strategists say she needs to go on the offensive tonight after weathering weeks of attacks. Tonight may also be the night Sanders starts differentiating himself more starkly from his fellow New England progressive.

Buttigieg is expected to be in the hot seat tonight, after his efforts to build momentum in Iowa and New Hampshire gave him a boost to the top of two polls that came out this week in those early nominating states — giving him a front-runner glow as he takes the debate stage.

That takes some of the pressure off Biden, whose middling debate performances have yet to hurt nor help him in the polls.

Lower-polling candidates will again be seeking for breakout moments to boost their standing with less than three months until voters take to the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire ballot boxes.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/37oRQJk