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The Democratic Presidential Debates: who's moving on and what do you need to know.

Tensions were high in the last two nights of the Democratic Presidential Debate as some candidates prepare for the fall debates and others struggle to stay in the race. 

A lot has changed since the first debates in June, and a lot is slated to change. Here is a quick breakdown of how they've shifted and whether we'll be seeing them again in the Presidential race in September. 

Michael Bennet 

Senator, CO

U.S. Sen.Michael Bennet, D-Colo.

From the last debate to this week, Bennet became more outspoken and was more comfortable giving his opinions about bigger issues like healthcare and immigration reform. He has not yet qualified for the fall debates. 

Joe Biden

Former Vice President of the United States 

Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a campaign rally at Teamsters Local 249 Union Hall April 29, 2019, in Pittsburgh.

After his notorious scuffle with California Senator Kamala Harris, Biden was more on the offensive this time around and was more willing to argue with all the other candidates that challenged him. He has qualified, and will be at the Houston debates in Sepetember. 

Cory Booker 

Senator, NJ 

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)

Booker was more on the offensive than in June, attacking Joe Biden on policies such as race, healthcare and immigration. He has qualified for the third debate in September. 

Steve Bullock 

Govenor, MT

Gov. Steve Bullock (D-MT) at Yellowstone National Park on Aug. 25, 2016.

Steve Bullock was not at the first debate in June, and he has not yet qualified for the debate in September. 

Pete Buttigieg 

Mayor of South Bend, IN 

2020 Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg

Buttigieg was a little quieter in this last debate, and didn't leave as much of an impact as he did last time. He was able to connect the moderate and progressive Democrats she shared the stage with but did not do much beyond that. He has already qualified for the third round of debates. 

Julian Castro 

Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 

Former Obama administration official and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro said he is "likely" to challenge President Donald Trump in 2020.

Castro was able to maintain the momentum from the last debates, speaking up on his plans for immigration and police reform. He has already qualified for the September debates. 

Bill de Blasio 

Mayor of New York City, NY

No description found

de Blasio was more vocal in this election, and he was more comfortable being confrontational and attacking other candidates such as Vice President Biden. He has not yet quite qualified for the third round of debates. 

John Delaney 

Fmr. US Representative, MD 

No description found

Delaney was much more vocal in this last debate, coming after more progressive candidates such as Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. He has not yet qualified for the fall debates. 

Tulsi Gabbard 

US Representative HI

Hawaii Democrat Rep. Tulsi Gabbard officially launches her 2020 presidential campaign.

Gabbard was very vocal in this last debate, coming after Kamala Harris regarding her track record as the District Attorney for the State of California. She has not yet qualified for the debates in September. 

Kirstin Gillibrand 

Senator, NY 

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)

Gillibrand was more vocal and argumentative in July's debate, going after Joe Biden regarding past statements he made about women in the workplace. She has not yet qualified for the September debate. 

Kamala Harris 

Senator, CA.

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA)

Harris had a very similar energy in the debates, going after Joe Biden and having plenty of quotable quips to match her energy. She has qualified for the debates in September. 

John Hickenlooper 

Fmr. Govenor, CO. 

John Hickenlooper

Hickenlooper, like many other candidates, was a lot more vocal that he had been in the past. He has not yet qualified for the debates in the fall. 

Jay Inslee 

Govenor, WA. 

Jay Inslee

Inslee did a good job focusing on other aspects of his platform besides the climate crisis in the last set of debates. He has not yet qualified for the next round. 

Amy Klobuchar 

Senator MN. 

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) announces her presidential bid in front of a crowd gathered at Boom Island Park on Feb. 10, 2019, in Minneapolis.

Klobuchar's performance didn't change much from one debate to the other. She attempted to hit hard in both debates, but failed to leave any real impact. Klobuchar has yet to qualify for the fall debates. 

Beto O'Rourke 

Fmr. US Representative, TX. 

Democratic presidential candidate former Texas congressman Beto O'Rourke talks to the media in the spin room Democratic Presidential Debate at the Fox Theatre July 30, 2019, in Detroit.

O'Rourke's performance improved from the first to second debate and he has qualifed for the debates in September. 

Tim Ryan 

US Representative, OH. 

No description found

Ryan was much more talkative this time around, going up against Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. He has not yet qualified for the third round of debates. 

Bernie Sanders 

Senator, VT. 

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT)

Sanders' approach in this last debate was more defensive than last time, as fellow candidates attacked him for his progressive policies. He has qualified for the next round of debates. 

Elizabeth Warren 

Senator, MA. 

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)

Warren stood her groud in this last round of debates, facing questions from more moderate members of her party. She has qualified for the next round of debates. 

Marianne Williamson

Author & Spiritualist 

Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson talks to the media in the spin room after the Democratic Presidential Debate at the Fox Theatre July 30, 2019, in Detroit.

Williamson dialed back her crazier ideologies this last time, and delivered a lot of points about race and healthcare. She has not yet qualified for the third round of debates. 

Andrew Yang 

Entrepreneur

Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang

Yang was much more vocal in this last round of debates, mostly because he had more questions directed to him. He has not yet qualified for the next round of debates. 


About the Author
Penny De La Cruz headshot

Penny De La Cruz started working at WKMG-TV in September 2021. Before joining News 6, Penny worked at KSAT 12 in San Antonio, Texas.

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