Rep. Eric Swalwell Eric Michael SwalwellSwalwell 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 Swalwell: Barr has taken Michael Cohen's job as Trump's fixer MORE (D-Calif.) took a direct swipe at former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Hillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Fox News poll: Biden ahead of Trump in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Ohio MORE at the second of the first two Democratic presidential primary debates Thursday night, urging the 76-year-old to “pass the torch” to a younger generation.

“I was six years old when a presidential candidate came to the California democratic convention and said it’s time to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans. That candidate was then-Sen. Joe Biden. Joe Biden was right when he said it was time to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans 32 years ago, he’s still right today,” Swalwell said.

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“If we’re going to solve the issues of automation, pass the torch," the California lawmaker continued. "If we’re going to solve the issues of climate chaos, pass the torch. If we’re going to solve the issue of student loan debt, pass the torch. If we’re going to end the gun violence for families who are fearful of sending their kids to school, pass the torch.”

Eric Swalwell: "I was 6 years old when a presidential candidate came to the California Democratic Convention and said it's time to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans. That candidate was then Senator Joe Biden. Joe Biden was right ... He's still right today." pic.twitter.com/ZQPMQaUzJi — Axios (@axios) June 28, 2019

Biden responded by pivoting to his education platform, underlining aspects like universal pre-kindergarten and free community college.

“There’s a lot we can do, but we have to make continuing education available for everyone so that everyone can compete in the 21st century,” he said.

The exchange marked the first direct jab at Biden in a debate that was expected to be filled with shots against him in an attempt to cut him down from his front-runner status.

The two-dozen strong primary field has thus far taken mostly veiled shots at the former vice president, trying to take a bite out of his substantial leads in national and statewide polls without alienating his supporters or casting themselves as going negative.