In the second of many Democratic Debates, candidates sparred on issues like health care, immigration, and climate change, and Texans were watching.
While the night’s questions were framed by Republican talking points and abortion access was never brought up, we did hear a few important insights from key candidates. Here are some of our favorite moments:
NIGHT 1
1. Texas is a battleground state.
Beto O’Rourke broadcasted what we’ve known for a while: Texas is a battleground state in 2020, and candidates need to pay attention.
A recent poll this week (the fourth one in a row) shows Democratic candidates leading or tied with Donald Trump in Texas. Republicans are scared.
Shoutout to @BetoORourke for bringing up Texas.
We've said it once and we'll say it again: Texas is a battleground state!
Candidates who want to win need to pay attention to Texas! #DemDebate #DemDebateTX #2020Elections pic.twitter.com/Bb0NBHkiQq— Progress Texas (@ProgressTX) July 31, 2019
“There’s a new battleground state - Texas” DAMN RIGHT @BetoORourke #DemDebate #DemDebateTX
— Cristan Shamburger (@cShamburger) July 31, 2019
2. We’re fighting FOR something.
Not only are we fighting to kick Trump out of office, but Texans are backing candidates who are steadfast in their values and ready to fight for us.
.@ewarren: I don't understand why anyone would run for president to talk about what we can't do and can't fight for. I'm ready to fight. #DemDebate #DemDebateTX #2020Elections
— Progress Texas (@ProgressTX) July 31, 2019
.@PeteButtigieg: Stop worrying about what the Republicans will say. They’re gonna call us socialists either way.
We agree. Americans want a candidate who lives by their values and focusing on the right policies. #DemDebateTX #DemDebate #2020Elections— Progress Texas (@ProgressTX) July 31, 2019
3. The candidates are focusing on health care.
Voters have said it loud and clear: We need to expand health care access! We need candidates who are for affordable health care options for all people.
The bottom line: Americans are paying TOO MUCH for health care. Health care is a human right and we shouldn't have to go into debt in order to take care of ourselves.
We need a candidate who expands access to affordable, quality health care for everyone.#DemDebateTX #DemDebate— Progress Texas (@ProgressTX) July 31, 2019
WATCH: Sanders and Ryan face off on health care at the #DemDebate
Sanders: "Medicare for All is comprehensive—it covers all healthcare needs..."
Ryan: "But you don’t know that—"
Sanders: "I do know it, I wrote the damn bill"
https://t.co/va4En2blU0 pic.twitter.com/35L3eLo8Q4— Bloomberg (@business) July 31, 2019
4. We need our climate crisis addressed.
Here in Texas, communities are already being hit by the effects of our climate crisis. Presidential candidates must not only recognize this, but be willing to take action on day 1.
Next topic: the climate crisis.
We need a president who recognizes the urgency of climate change and makes the shift to clean energy a priority for our country.
This issue determines the future of our planet and cannot be taken lightly.#DemDebate #DemDebateTX #2020Elections— Progress Texas (@ProgressTX) July 31, 2019
Just gonna say climate change is already affecting Black and Brown communities... #DemDebate
— Voto Latino (@votolatino) July 31, 2019
5. Texans sharing their takes using #DemDebateTX.
We invited progressive advocates, candidates, and organizations across the state to join us in offering their “Texas Take” during the debates. Here’s what they had to say.
LETS GET READY TO RUMB.. cough DISCUSS POLICY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FRIENDS!!!! #DemDebate #DemDebateTX
— Kendall Scudder (@KendallScudder) July 31, 2019
Elizabeth Warren @ corporations #DemDebate #DemDebateTX pic.twitter.com/CzwnGkPVVy
— SOY SADIE (@sadieeehdz) July 31, 2019
Voters have said it loud and clear: We need to expand health care access! We need candidates who are for affordable health care options for all people. #DemDebate #DemDebateTX #HealthCareVoter @ProgressTX
— Cesar Blanco (@CesarJBlanco) July 31, 2019
Voter data from 2018 showed that young voters, age 18-29 made up a larger voter registration block than any other age group in Texas. In 2020, young people are going to flex that electoral power for candidates who stand with us. #DemDebate #DemDebatetx #Elections2020 pic.twitter.com/NtA7OkH6qq
— MOVE Texas (@MOVE_texas) July 31, 2019
Texas is the biggest battleground state. 1) There is a thing called data, happy to share some. 2) Chat with your fellow journalists, they call us every day. 3) We are going to make eat this tweet, your choice of BBQ sauce. #txlege #demdebate #demdebateTX https://t.co/Vm2dyQFNyi
— Manny Garcia (@MannyGarciaTX) July 31, 2019
NIGHT 2
6. More plans for health care for all.
While the Affordable Care Act has helped one million Texans, conservatives are still trying to dismantle the ACA with no replacement. People deserve access to care.
Health care is a human right.
Health care is a human right.
Health care is a human right.
Health care is a human right.
Health care is a human right.
Health care is a human right.
Health care is a human right.
Health care is a human right. #DemDebate #DemDebateTX— Progress Texas (@ProgressTX) August 1, 2019
Texas has the highest percentage of uninsured of any state. We need to expand Medicaid. #DemDebateTX #DemDebate #CNNDebate
— Cesar Blanco (@CesarJBlanco) August 1, 2019
7. Candidates calling out Republican talking points.
Message framing is so important, and we need a Democratic nominee who knows when to call something out.
STOP WITH THE REPUBLICAN TALKING POINTS #DemDebate #DemDebateTX pic.twitter.com/uVkWv4Mvkr
— Progress Texas (@ProgressTX) August 1, 2019
the moderators when they’re called out for using republican talking points #DemDebate #DemDebate2 pic.twitter.com/jrXIPPxtNg
— ana (@itsanagutierrez) August 1, 2019
8. Truthful conversations about the criminal justice system.
Our criminal justice system was never designed to work for ordinary Americans. It has incarcerated masses of people, mostly from communities of color. We need a president who believes in complete criminal justice reform for the benefit of our communities.
"We're locking people up and not lifting people up," says @CoryBooker.
The criminal justice system has incarcerated masses of people, mostly from communities of color. #DemDebate #DemDebateTX— Progress Texas (@ProgressTX) August 1, 2019
"You're dipping into the Kool-Aid—and you don't even know the flavor" - @CoryBooker to @JoeBiden at the #DemDebate
Booker says he's "shocked" Biden wants to compare records on criminal justice https://t.co/osCOLX3L50 pic.twitter.com/EiaRraDU56— Bloomberg (@business) August 1, 2019
9. A conversation about the wage gap that still exists in America.
Women and non-binary folks deserve equal pay for equal work!
Let's be clear: The #WageGap isn't created equal. Here's how the gaps break down.
85 cents for Asian women
80 cents for white women
63 cents for black women
59 cents for Native American women
54 cents for Latinas#DemDebate #DemDebateTX— Progress Texas (@ProgressTX) August 1, 2019
.@KamalaHarris coming through with the actual pay disparity stats for women of color! #EqualPayforEqualWork #DemDebateTX #TYDDebates
— Texas Young Democrats (@texasyds) August 1, 2019
10. Texans (again) sharing their takes using #DemDebateTX
Thank you to the folks who shared their Texas Takes during the #DemDebates! We’ll see everyone in Houston in September for the next debate.
Finally, voting rights comes up!
GOP leaders in Texas are doing everything they can to prevent people from voting.
They are the standing between us and full representation in our state. #DemDebateTX— Mario A. Carrillo (@mariocarrillo) August 1, 2019
I don't need the author of the crime bill talking about criminal justice reform either. Come on, @JoeBiden. #DemDebate2 #DemDebateTX pic.twitter.com/4uhQsH5HqZ
— Tim McDaniel (@andymac_89) August 1, 2019
Julián Castro is taking the radical tact of speaking reasonably and clearly on health care without getting lost in the weeds. #DemDebateTX
— Jason Stanford (@JasStanford) August 1, 2019
Say it louder for the folks in the back!!
FAMILY SEPARATION WILL CONTINUE UNLESS WE END THE PROSECUTION AND CRIMINALIZATION OF IMMIGRANTS.
And by the way - family separation continues in our criminal justice system every day. #EndMoneyBail#DemDebateTX https://t.co/RzIXCGxd5R— Stephanie Gharakhanian (@sgharakhanian) August 1, 2019
Petition to have Beyonce moderate the next debate in Houston #DemDebateTX
— SOY SADIE (@sadieeehdz) August 1, 2019
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