The Hill’s Campaign Report: Democrats clash over future of party in heated debate



Welcome to The Hill’s Campaign Report, your weekly rundown on all the latest news in the 2020 presidential, Senate and House races. Did someone forward this to you? Click here to subscribe.

We’re Julia Manchester, Max Greenwood and Jonathan Easley. Here’s what we’re watching this week on the campaign trail.

LEADING THE DAY:

POST DEBATE RUNDOWN: Happy Friday! The third Democratic primary debate is in the books! There were a number of standout moments from the nearly three-hour showdown in Houston, including former Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s (D-Texas) declaring, "Hell yes, we're going to take your AR-15, your AK-47,” and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro accusing former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenFormer Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick Bloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida MORE of not fulfilling former President Obama’s legacy on health care (Ouch!).

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But don’t get too excited about those fiery exchanges. While O’Rourke has gotten attention for talking about gun control in the wake of last month’s El Paso shooting, recent history shows that single-issue candidates (ahem, Rep. Eric Swalwell Eric Michael SwalwellHouse to vote on resolution affirming peaceful transition of power Swalwell calls for creation of presidential crimes commission to investigate Trump when he leaves office 'This already exists': Democrats seize on potential Trump executive order on preexisting conditions MORE (D-Calif.) and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee Jay Robert InsleeBarr asked prosecutors to explore charging Seattle mayor over protest zone: report Bottom line Oregon senator says Trump's blame on 'forest management' for wildfires is 'just a big and devastating lie' MORE) don’t have the longest shelf lives in campaigns. Plus, O’Rourke has continued to trail in the polls, despite a number of passionate speeches and exchanges on the campaign trail on gun control.

Meanwhile, Castro’s attacks on Biden fell flat, and came across to many as mean and bitter. A number of analysts concluded that one of the lowest moments of the debate came when Castro appeared to hit Biden, 76, on his age, accusing him of forgetting details of health care policy.

So how did the three front-runners fare?

While Biden appeared to go on the offensive more than he has in past debates, he, along with his progressive opponents, Sens. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersSirota reacts to report of harassment, doxing by Harris supporters Republicans not immune to the malady that hobbled Democrats The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Republicans lawmakers rebuke Trump on election MORE (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenOvernight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds On The Money: Half of states deplete funds for Trump's 0 unemployment expansion | EU appealing ruling in Apple tax case | House Democrats include more aid for airlines in coronavirus package Warren, Khanna request IG investigation into Pentagon's use of coronavirus funds MORE (D-Mass.), continued to lay out their plans and policy proposals.



The exchange between the three on health care was one of the high points of the evening, and gave voters a chance to see two different philosophies within the party. If the candidates are smart, they will continue to engage in thoughtful discussions about the future of health care among themselves and with voters.



This proved to be a winning strategy in the 2018 midterms, but the party will first have to mend its divide over the future of health care, i.e. building upon ObamaCare or scrapping it in favor of "Medicare for All." That is the debate to watch out for throughout this primary cycle.

— Julia Manchester

READ MORE:

The campaign goes on for those left off the debate stage. The Hill’s Reid Wilson interviews Montana Gov. Steve Bullock Steve BullockCourt removes Pendley from role as public lands chief On The Trail: Making sense of this week's polling tsunami McConnell locks down key GOP votes in Supreme Court fight MORE, who is doubling down on campaigning in Iowa.

Five takeaways from Thursday night’s Democratic debate, from The Hill’s Max Greenwood and Julia Manchester.

Wondering who came out on top after last night’s debate? The Hill’s Jonathan Easley has you covered from Houston.

FROM THE TRAIL:

Trump’s campaign is moving to block three Republicans challenging him in next year’s primary election, cognizant of the potential threat those challengers represent to Trump’s hold on his vaunted Republican base. The Trump campaign has worked for months to limit a challenger’s ability to test him, The Hill’s Reid Wilson reports.

Business Insider will host a debate featuring Trump’s challengers, The Hill’s Joe Concha reports.

ODDS AND ENDS:

Julie Hollar: The Democratic debates should not be in the hands of corporate media.

Goldie Taylor: Gaffes or not, rank-and-file Democrats are ridin’ with Biden.

Krystal Ball: Why the media dislike Sanders, Yang, Gabbard and Williamson.

Karl W. Smith: Trump should be worried about these economic trends.

POLICY ROLLOUTS:

Sen. Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisTexas Democratic official urges Biden to visit state: 'I thought he had his own plane' The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden on Trump: 'He'll leave' l GOP laywers brush off Trump's election remarks l Obama's endorsements A game theorist's advice to President Trump on filling the Supreme Court seat MORE (D-Calif.), the former attorney general of California, has released a criminal justice reform plan ( The Hill ) … Sen. Cory Booker Cory Anthony BookerThe movement to reform animal agriculture has reached a tipping point Watchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump 3 reasons why Biden is misreading the politics of court packing MORE (D-N.J.) has introduced the Federal Firearm Licensing Act, which would require potential gun purchasers to go through the Justice Department to obtain a gun license.

‘Trust me’: Harris makes big play on criminal justice reform. (New York Times)

FROM CONGRESS:

Max Greenwood reports from Charlotte, N.C. -- Republican Dan Bishop edged out Democrat Dan McCready in the special election on Tuesday to represent North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District, narrowly holding on to a House seat that has been in the GOP’s hands for nearly 60 years.

Trump’s campaign advisers immediately took credit for the win. In a conference call with reporters on Wednesday, his campaign manager Brad Parscale Bradley (Brad) James ParscaleMORE was blunt: “There’s no question that [Bishop is] the congressman-elect this morning because of the personal efforts of President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE.”

But the special election results flashed warning signs for both parties, The Hill’s Reid Wilson reports.

While Bishop outperformed former Republican candidate Mark Harris Mark HarrisTrump sparks debate over merits of voting by mail The Hill's Campaign Report: Debate over mail-in voting heats up Bevin says he lost because liberals are 'good at harvesting votes' in urban areas MORE’s margins in a handful of rural counties, McCready tightened his grip on Mecklenburg County, where Charlotte and its immediate suburbs are located. That reaffirmed one of the biggest takeaways from the 2018 midterm elections: the GOP’s once-solid support in the suburbs is still weakening.

For Democrats, however, the election raised questions about what they need to do to turn out their core voters. McCready campaigned as an unabashed moderate, touting the slogan “country over party” and distancing himself from more liberal Democrats in Washington. But whether that will motivate the party’s activist base in 2020 is unclear.

Warren is getting involved in House primaries, backing challengers to two centrist Democratic House members - Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and Daniel Lipinski Daniel William LipinskiFive things we learned from this year's primaries Hispanic Caucus campaign arm endorses slate of non-Hispanic candidates Bottom line MORE (D-Ill.).

GEORGIA SENATE: Former congressional candidate Jon Ossof will challenge. Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.), the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.

CA-50: Former Rep. Darrell Issa Darrell Edward IssaDCCC reserves new ad buys in competitive districts, adds new members to 'Red to Blue' program Wife of former Rep. Duncan Hunter sentenced to 8 months of home confinement Harris endorses Democrat in tight California House race MORE (R-Calif.) says he will run for Rep. Duncan Hunter Duncan HunterDCCC reserves new ad buys in competitive districts, adds new members to 'Red to Blue' program Wife of former Rep. Duncan Hunter sentenced to 8 months of home confinement Harris endorses Democrat in tight California House race MORE’s (R-Calif.) seat if he is not confirmed to a top trade post in the Trump administration by Nov. 3.

POLL WATCH:

Biden is holding steady in the polls ahead of the third Democratic presidential primary debate, leading the next closest contender by 15 points, according to a new USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll.

ABC News-Washington Post: Five Democratic contenders lead Trump in a hypothetical head-to-head match-up.

Trump is not having it.

....This is a phony suppression poll, meant to build up their Democrat partners. I haven’t even started campaigning yet, and am constantly fighting Fake News like Russia, Russia, Russia. Look at North Carolina last night. Dan Bishop, down big in the Polls, WINS. Easier than 2016! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 11, 2019

UNIVISION: All of the top Democratic White House hopefuls are leading Trump in Texas.

NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist: Warren has the highest favorability rating in the field.

EMERSON UNIVERSITY: Biden and Warren lead in New Hampshire, as Sanders slips.

Franklin Pierce: Sanders leads in New Hampshire.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

Sanders will embark on Sunday on a three-day campaign swing through South Carolina, with stops in Charleston, Galivants Ferry and Hartsville. Castro will also visit the Palmetto State this weekend.

There are 143 days until the Iowa caucuses, 151 days until the New Hampshire primary, 162 days until the Nevada caucuses, 169 days until the South Carolina primary and 172 days until Super Tuesday.

ONE FUN THING

WIZARD OF OZ: Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) tried to make a point about President Trump at Thursday’s debate by invoking the classic flick, "The Wizard of Oz."

"Donald Trump, in office, on trade policy ... he reminds me of that guy in 'The Wizard of Oz,' you know, when you pull back the curtain, it's a really small dude," Harris said.

Here’s the awkward part — Harris was speaking to moderator George Stephanopoulos George Robert StephanopoulosColbert implores Pelosi to update 'weaponry' in SCOTUS fight: 'Trump has a literal heat ray' Murkowski: Supreme Court nominee should not be taken up before election Cruz says Senate Republicans likely have votes to confirm Trump Supreme Court nominee MORE, who himself stands at 5 feet, 5 inches tall.

But the broadcast news veteran took it all in stride.

“OK,” Stephanopoulos said. "I'm not even going to take the bait, Sen. Harris."

"Oh George, it wasn't about you,” Harris said.

The internet, in turn, had a field day.

"The point of The Wizard Of Oz is that the man behind the curtain is not a wizard!” @jonlovett #LateShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/rKw5qmyx86 — The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) September 12, 2019

Fwiw, the corny jokes are basically all landing at this bar in suburban Michigan where I am watching with the Democratic club. People looooved the Kamala Wizard of Oz bit — Molly Hensley-Clancy (@mollyhc) September 12, 2019

The #WizardofOz is trending thanks to @KamalaHarris. I seriously hope she shows up to her next public event in a pair of ruby slippers. #DemDebate #DemocraticDebate — Tracy E. Gilchrist (@TracyEGilchrist) September 12, 2019

We’ll catch you next week for more campaign news and analysis!

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