This archive report was first published on 31 July 2019.
Debate Night in Detroit ¶
The stage is set for the first night of the Democratic debate in Detroit, Michigan, where 10 candidates will face off in a battle for the nomination.
As the debate gets underway, a new poll from Morning Consult shows that Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are in a tight race for second place behind former Vice President Joe Biden.
But a closer look at the supporters of Sanders and Warren reveals significant differences in demographics and policy preferences.
Warren's supporters are more affluent and better-educated, while Sanders' supporters are younger, more diverse, and less likely to have graduated from college.
According to Morning Consult polls, Senator Kamala Harris is the second choice for a plurality of Warren's supporters, while Biden is the second choice for a plurality of Sanders' supporters.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether Sanders and Warren will be able to appeal to a broader range of voters and gain ground on Biden.
Michigan Voters Want a Uniter, Not a Divider ¶
Representative Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat from Michigan, warned her party on Tuesday that it could not afford to run too far to the left and expect to carry her state in 2020.
Slotkin, who defeated an incumbent Republican in the Detroit suburbs, said that Michigan voters are looking for a candidate who is a uniter, not a divider.
They want someone who is hopeful and optimistic about the country's future, rather than someone who is focused on sweeping structural change or caustic attacks on President Trump.
Slotkin's comments come as the Democratic field continues to shift and evolve, with some candidates embracing more progressive policies and others taking a more moderate approach.
Debate Night in Detroit: A Look at the Logistics ¶
The debate will take place at the historic Fox Theater in Detroit, a gilded Deco movie theater turned concert hall.
About 3,500 people are expected to attend in person, with tickets handed out mostly by the Democratic National Committee and state party groups.
Journalists will be gathering in the press file, a local sports bar rented out by CNN, where they will be able to watch the debate and enjoy refreshments.
