Bernie and Biden Face Each Other in Their First One-on-One Democratic Debate

The first one-on-one debate between Biden and Bernie focused largely on the coronavirus outbreak, with both candidates instructing Americans how to try and stay healthy during the crisis. But they didn't exactly take their own advice. We are still in shock from this moment. After the health discussion, it wasn't long before the contenders began their usual sparring matches over Super PACs, Medicare for All, and socialism. Bernie also threw in some fibs about the common sense Hyde Amendment, and Joe rewrote history on the 2005 bankruptcy bill.

Until our next live blog, we hope you stay happy and healthy during this crazy season.

The message from RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel:

“Tonight, Americans saw two career politicians who are two sides of the same coin. When they weren’t bickering, they were both touting their support for the same radical agenda, like a government takeover of health care, taxpayer funding for abortion, and sanctuary city policies. 

“President Trump is working around the clock and taking decisive, aggressive action to prioritize the health and safety of the American people. It is because of this strong leadership that President Trump, not whichever socialist the Democrats eventually nominate, will win re-election in November.”

Twitter is buzzing trying to guess who Biden's female VP pick will be. Right now Amy Klobuchar's name is high on the rumored shortlist.

Joe Biden tonight:• Supports government funded abortions using your tax $• Won’t deport criminals police arrest• Wants zero oil drilling• Won’t deport a rapist as long as they didn’t do it in the US• He’ll give all illegal immigrants citizenshipJoe is not a moderate.

— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) March 16, 2020

Karl Rove: "We saw two old guys giving it their best tonight."

Lol.

Juan Williams breathes a sigh of relief that "there was no slip up" for Joe Biden tonight.

Gloria Borger: "Biden was Mr. Empathy at the end...I think he managed to reinforce what a lot of people like about him."

From Kayleigh McEnany, Trump 2020 national press secretary:

“As President Trump leads our country and takes unprecedented action in stopping the coronavirus, it is now clearer than ever that no leaders exist on the Democrat debate stage. Unable to articulate a coronavirus plan, both Bernie and Biden offered little more than plagiarizing President Trump’s response, which will now be the model for all future pandemics.

“Both Bernie and Biden proved themselves to be two sides of the same coin: offering a complete government takeover of the healthcare system which would destroy employer-provided insurance for 180 million Americans. Both embraced reckless and dangerous immigration policies that would imperil our citizens, and both pledged to kill fossil fuel industries that employ millions of people. It doesn’t matter which of these two is the Democrat nominee, either one would reverse the hottest economy in modern history and the great gains we have made under President Trump.”

Biden Taps Coronavirus Expert Who Thinks 75 is the Perfect Age To Die

Sanders' closing statement: In this moment of economic uncertainty in addition to the coronavirus, it is time to ask how we get to where we are, not only our lack of preparation for the virus, but how we end up with an economy where so many of our people are hurting at a time of massive income and wealth inequality. It's time to ask the question of where the power is in America. Who owns the media? Who owns the economy? Who owns the legislative process? Why do we give tax breaks to billionaires and not raise the minimum wage? Where do we pump up the oil industry while a half million people are homeless in America? 

Mr. Sanders got his mojo going, knocking Biden over entitlement spending, Iraq etc. - but things quickly devolved when Cuba and authoritarianism was brought up. 

In this decisive battle, Biden wins. Also, quite the slap down from Joe mentioning that he was broke and he over-performed Sanders by big, BIG margins (i.e. Virginia)

Very clearly saying that he's the guy and he has the numbers. 

Biden admitting money in politics hasn't helped Bernie, who outspent Biden but is still trailing him. 

People are voting for Biden as an anti-Bernie vote. It's not because they believe in Joe.

Bernie: Joe has won more states, but I'm winning the ideological and generational campaigns.

Sanders admits Trump is going to be a "very, very tough opponent" 

Biden: The fact is this -- Bernie's notion about how he embraces folks like the Sandinistas and Cuba and the former Soviet Union and talks about the good things in China, it's contrary to every message we want to send.

You can win ideological debates, Bernie, but that won't win you the nomination.

Bernie clearly doesn't know how to explain why African Americans aren't attracted to his campaign.

Joe Biden now touting his fight against...ISIS? Yikes 

Bernie accuses Biden of not being able to realize that President Bush was "lying through his teeth" about Iraq.