Democratic front-runners for the US presidency clash at the party’s third debate
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Democratic front-runner Joe Biden and close rivals Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders have clashed over healthcare at the party’s third debate, which was sponsored by ABC .
Only the 10 highest-polling Democrats were eligible to take part. These were:
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker
South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders
Former Vice President Joe Biden
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren
California Sen. Kamala Harris
Entrepreneur Andrew Yang
Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke
Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro
The debate in Houston, Texas was the first time the three presidential hopefuls faced off on stage.
In their opening remarks most of the candidates attacked President Donald Trump, blasting him for being a divisive leader and accusing him of racism.
Immigration rights protesters entered the hall at one point, interrupting the debate.
Former Texas lawmaker Beto O’Rourke drew some of the biggest applause of the night with an impassioned plea for gun control. Biden is leading current polls by a considerable margin, with Massachusetts Senator Ms Warren and Vermont Senator Mr Sanders in second and third. The rest of the field are polling in single figures.
Unlike the two previous debates, Thursday’s event took place over one night as only 10 candidates fulfilled the stricter polling and donor requirements. Ten others remain in the race, and four have dropped out.
