Analysis: The president has honed clear, sharp lines of attack on his 2020 rivals. They're still figuring out the best way to land return punches.
He trotted out the set of derogatory nicknames he's rolled out over months of re-election rallies —"Sleepy Joe,""Pocahontas,""Crazy Bernie" — while warning that a “grim specter of socialism is descending on the Democrat Party,” full of radicals who will destroy America's economic and physical security.
The split screen highlighted the challenge Democrats face as they seek a solid strategy to beat Trump despite the primary season reality that the only way to become their party's nominee was to score points against each other. Amid the early sparring over health care, Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., zeroed in on the field's joint challenge: directing the conversation back to the president they were auditioning to replace.
"This must be a moment where we as Democrats can begin to show that we cannot only stake and stand our ground, but find common ground, because we've got one shot to make Donald Trump a one-term president," said Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J."And we cannot lose it by the way we talk about each other or demonize and degrade each other. We can walk and chew gum at the same time."
"Here's Sleepy Joe, 'Wha? Where am I? Where am I?'" he said, trying to imitate Biden discussing a potential deal. Xi, said Trump, would just say"'just sign here, Sleepy Joe.'"
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump Campaign Will Fly ‘Socialism’ Warning Over Houston Before Democrats DebateThe Trump campaign will try to steal some attention away from Democrats before Thursday’s debate in Houston, as the president’s reelection effort flies a massive banner that reads, &82…
Read more »
'No strategy,' 'erratic,' 'haphazard': Democrats pile on Trump over China trade war in 2020 debateThe 10 Democratic candidates in the Houston debate portrayed Trump as impulsive with little plan to win a trade war with China.
Read more »
Democrats go after Biden and also Trump: Highlights of the September debateSen. Kamala Harris stuck tightly to her script bashing Trump at every turn. “On trade policy, he reminds me of that guy in ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ When you pull back the curtain, it's a really small dude,” she said.
Read more »
Welcome to debate night: Live analysis & updates from Houston“Some staffer is going to pay dearly” for that groan-inducing opening from Amy Klobuchar, says editor PoliticoCharlie. More live analysis of the DemDebate:
Read more »
Welcome to debate night: Live video & analysis from HoustonSo far, Beto O’Rourke is dominating tonight's discussion around gun violence, says editor PoliticoCharlie. Watch the DemDebate live alongside our analysis:
Read more »