Soon we will find out where the Dem presidential candidates stand. The Democratic National Committee released the list of candidates qualified for the third round primary debates. The qualified candidates include: Biden, Sanders, Warren, Harris, Booker, Klobuchar, Buttigieg, O’Rourke, Castro, and Yang.
This will be the first time all the candidates will share one debate stage. Each will be looking to become the clear choice to be the Party nominee. There are no moderates. The Progressives will be taking on the Socialists. Here are some issues the candidates may use to set themselves apart with positions by group:
Medicare for All:
This would place all Americans under the Medicare system. Medicare for All has a sticker price of $32.6 trillion over ten years. Supporters include: Sanders, Warren, Harris, Booker, Buttigieg, Castro, and Yang.
The policy has two subgroups: (1) Those who wish to take away your right to choose a private health insurance plan and (2) Those who just want Medicare to be a public option for all Americans. Sanders would abolish private insurance while candidates like Buttigieg and Harris plan to leave it as an option.
Others want to rebuild the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. Some propose adding a public option to the plan, but it would be much narrower than those proposed by the Medicare for All proponents. This deal is also a fraction of the cost of Medicare for All. None of the candidate will repeal the Obamacare taxes or the regulations it brought with it. Supporters include: Biden, Klobuchar and O’Rourke
Green New Deal:
Is a proposal that would mobilize the U.S. economy to combat climate change with an ultimate goal of complete government control of the entire economy under the guise of becoming independent from fossil fuels. All of the candidates support the goals of the Green New Deal. Some hesitate to support the $93 trillion price tag. To be clear this proposal will triple your federal taxes. Some have proposed cheaper alternatives for their climate strategy.
Fully support GND: Sanders, Warren, Harris, Booker, Klobuchar, Buttigieg, Castro, and Yang.
Cheaper option: Biden and O’Rourke
Mandatory Gun Buybacks for Assault Weapons:
Gun violence prevention has been a top issue for the Democrats. Several ideas are floating around including: Red Flag laws, gun license requirements, and universal background checks. Most of the candidates are on board with reimplementing the 1994 assault weapons ban on gun manufacturing. An issue dividing Democrats is whether to confiscate assault weapons. Mandatory buybacks are more controversial. Be clear, this is an end to the second amendment and your right to self defense.
Supports mandatory buyback plan: Booker and O’Rourke
Does not support mandatory buyback plan: Biden, Sanders, Warren, Harris, Klobuchar, Buttigieg, Castro, and Yang.
Decriminalizing Border Crossings:
President Trump’s “zero-tolerance” immigration policy required that those arrested at the border be detained during their immigration hearing. This resulted in some family separations, which have been widely condemned by 2020 Democrats. As a result of the arrests occurring at the border, some have suggested repealing the statute that classifies illegal border crossings as a criminal offense to switch it to a misdemeanor. Several 2020 Democrats favor decriminalization because it means that families will not be arrested or separated for illegally crossing the border. Other Democrats see it as a step too far. Many Republicans see it as an “open borders” policy. If you end border enforcement you end America as a sovereign nation. If that is what you want what office are you running for?
Favors decriminalization: Sanders, Warren, Harris, Booker, Buttigieg, Castro, and Yang.
Opposes decriminalization: Biden, Klobuchar, O’Rourke
Canceling Student Debt:
Students owe more than $1.5 trillion in student debt. This burden that could be negatively impacting the entire economy. All of the candidates acknowledge student loan debt is a problem. There are different ideas about how far the U.S. should go in reducing that burden. Some propose eliminating student loan debt. Others support small-scale changes, like refinancing options, instead of expensive student loan forgiveness plans. What is the value of something that isn’t worth paying for?
Supports forgiving some or all student debt: Sanders, Warren, Buttigieg, Castro, and Yang.
Supports other changes to student loan programs: Biden, Harris, Booker, Klobuchar, and O’Rourke.
Conclusion:
The third round of the debates will take place on Sept. 12 in Houston. ABC and Univision will be hosting the debate with George Stephanopoulos, David Muir, Linsey Davis, and Jorge Ramos moderating. We hope that soon, we will find out where the Dem presidential candidates stand.