'BradCast' 7/31/2019 (Dem Debate, Detroit, Night One - Guests: Jacki Schechner, David Faris)

Published: July 31, 2019, 11:33 p.m.

b"On today's 'BradCast': Special coverage of Night One of the second 2020 Democratic Presidential debate, hosted by CNN in Detroit, MI on Tuesday night.\\xa0 Featured on the first night's debate stage were VT Sen. Bernie Sanders; MA Sen. Elizabeth Warren; South Bend, IN Mayor Pete Buttigieg; MN Senator Amy Klobuchar; former MD Rep. John Delaney; OH Rep. Tim Ryan; former CO Gov. John Hickenlooper; former TX Rep. Beto O'Rourke; MT Gov. Steve Bullock (in his first Dem Debate appearance) and author/spiritual guru Marianne Williamson.\\xa0 The lively and often substantive debate was frequently truncated by CNN moderators, who seemed intent on forcing confrontation between the candidates, while framing many debate topics like Republican talking points, and otherwise trying to highlight divisions between the progressive and conservative wings of the party. Among the many issues raised during the debate:\\xa0\\xa0 healthcare (highlighting the party's many different and often controversial approaches to achieving universal coverage, from 'Medicare-for-All' to the Public Option, and its effect on private insurance), immigration, gun safety legislation, corporate money in politics, the climate crisis, issues regarding racism, the economy, the cost of college and student loans, foreign policy and nuclear weapons, and \\u2013 in one of many rightwing memes that CNN pushed throughout the evening -- whether the Democratic Party has moved 'too far to the Left'.\\xa0 JACKIE SCHECHNER,\\xa0 journalist and healthcare reform expert, and DAVID FARIS, Roosevelt University political scientist and author of 'It's Time to Fight Dirty: How Democrats Can Build a Lasting Majority in American Politics,' offer analysis and insight into the substantive policy issues, as well as both the political and media aspects of night one of the latest two night Democratic debate..."