2020 Presidential Campaign Blog

Donald Trump Campaign Statement On First Night of 2nd Democrat Debate

Trump Campaign Statement On First Night of 2nd Democrat Debate

“Same radical Democrats.

Same big government socialist message.

Same winner of tonight’s debate: President Donald Trump.”

- Kayleigh McEnany, National Press Secretary

John Delaney Calls for Vision, Unity, and Leadership in Closing Statement

John Delaney Calls for Vision, Unity, and Leadership in Closing Statement

DETROIT, MI – Tonight, John Delaney closed his time on the stage at the second DNC debate by highlighting his vision for the future, calling for real solutions, not impossible promises, on health care, climate, and national service.

Delaney's statement is transcribed below, and can be viewed here:

“John F. Kennedy famously said ‘We should not seek the Republican answer, we should not seek the Democratic answer, we should seek the right answer.’ He was right when he said it, and he is right today as well. Donald Trump is a symptom of a disease, and the disease is divisiveness. And I’m the only one on the stage talking about curing that disease, with big ideas like national service, by focusing on actually solving problems. If we work together we can fix health care and build infrastructure. We can invest, not just in technology, but in people and entrepreneurs, whether they be in Storm Lake, Iowa, or Detroit, Michigan, or Baltimore, Maryland. We can fight climate change and reimagine our education system, but we have to do it with real solutions, not impossible promises. Isn’t it time we had a president who was a leader in both the private sector and in government to lead us into the future? I promise, as president, I will restore vision, unity, and leadership and decency to this country. That’s why I’m running for president. Thank you.”

Republican National Committee (RNC) Statement on Tonight’s Democrat Debate

RNC Statement on Tonight’s Democrat Debate

WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel released the following statement in response to this evening's Democrat primary debate:

"On tonight’s Democrat debate stage, Americans witnessed a doubling down on Democrats’ radical, socialist proposals," said Chairwoman McDaniel. "From a government takeover of health care to decriminalizing illegal immigration, Democrat candidates put their out-of-touch priorities on full display. As workers and industries thrive under President Trump’s winning economic policies here in Michigan and across the country, voters will choose four more years of this great American comeback rather than allow Democrats to take us backward."

Tim Ryan Statement Following the Second Democratic Debate

TIM RYAN RELEASES STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE SECOND PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

YOUNGSTOWN, OH - This evening, Presidential candidate Tim Ryan released this statement following the second Democratic debate:
“While the pundits go back and forth tonight over who captured the right or left, I hope that I have captured America’s imagination of what our country could be if we dedicated ourselves to new and bold ideas that can transform our broken systems and ensure that anyone can access our country’s greatness.”

What People Are Saying About Pete Buttigieg’s Debate Performance. Part 3

What People Are Saying About Pete’s Debate Performance

“Won This Debate…Stands Alone in His Confident Thoughtfulness...A Visionary Progressive Who Knows How to Get Things Done...One of the Best Presidential Candidates I’ve Seen In My Lifetime… Did His Homework on Everything...Pitch Perfect…Flawless...Wins Huge Applause”

On Twitter:

Adrienneelrod @adrienneelrod: @PeteButtigieg so strong when he talks about his service in Afghanistan- a huge distinguishing factor for him in this primary. #DemDebate

Ron Fournier @ron_fournier: .@PeteButtigieg and @ewarren won this debate and present Democrats two significantly different visions and styles.

Christopher J. Hale @chrisjollyhale: .@PeteButtigieg is the full package: a visionary progressive who knows how to get things done in the context of today’s reality. His answers have gotten strong cheers from Democrats in Tennessee tonight.

Charlotte Clymer🏳️‍🌈@cmclymer: Pete Buttigieg did his homework. On everything. #DemDebate

Wesley Lowery @WesleyLowery: one little reporting tidbit about Pete Buttigieg’s “Douglass Plan” - he sent a personal letter to Frederick Douglass’ family/descendants to tell them he was naming it after Douglass, which they appreciated so much they texted me about it unprompted

Christopher Cabaldon @mayorcabaldon: California jobs, from ag to tech to manufacturing, depend on fair trade. @PeteButtigieg is 💯 right...a tariff is a tax on American workers and American families.

Tom Shattuck @tomshattuck: “...Mayor Pete stands alone in his confident thoughtfulness. At this moment I think he’d be toughest for DJT to handle. #DemDebate

Laurie Crosswell @lauriecrosswell: Pete Buttigieg quoting scripture back at conservatives is what Jesus would do. 🔥🔥🔥 #DemDebate

Nicholas Kristof @nickkristof: .@PeteButtigieg cites scripture, a reminder of his penchant for speaking about religion on the stump. I think it's great when a Democrat doesn't seem awkward or embarrassed about speaking fluent religion.

Mayor D'Amico @ourWEHO: “This is so much bigger than a trade fight. A gig is a job and a worker is a worker.” @PeteButtigieg #Workers

SEIU Local 925 @SEIU925: Gig workers should be able to unionize and we need to double union density says @PeteButtigieg. Let’s keep this great union conversation coming!!!! 👏👏👏

Greg Epstein @gregmepstein: Mayor Pete eloquent on the inequality & instability of tech and the gig economy as ethics and values issues, which they are. #DemDebate

Daniel W. Drezner @dandrezner: Buttigieg’s point on Trump enabling for-profit universities is spot on.

Nan Whaley @nanwhaley: Pete's point about the difficulty of accessing the public service payoff is SOO true and the rip off for profit colleges are criminal to what they do the poor. #DemDebate #PeteforAmerica

Leo Shane III @LeoShane: On a question about student debt, @PeteButtigieg shifts to predatory colleges going after veterans #GIBill benefits. Blasts Trump for rolling back protections put in place under Obama. #DemDebate

Desireepeterkinbell @DPBell: .@PeteButtigieg come thru with the Bible verses! #BlackWomenLead #DemDebate

Nicole Sganga @NicoleSganga: Mayor Pete Buttigieg brings faith into the conversation about the economy. "So called Christian conservative Senators are right now blocking bill that would increase the minimum wage when Scripture says, 'Woe to those who oppress the poor.'"

Kurt Bardella @kurtbardella: @PeteButtigieg #DemDebate: "so-called conservative Christian senators right now in the Senate are blocking a bill to raise the minimum wage when scripture says "whoever oppresses the poor taunts their maker." #PeteButtigieg is right - faith should not be partisan

Maria Shriver @mariashriver: @PeteButtigieg positioning himself as someone who served vs. POTUS who didn't & isn't afraid of GOP...@amyklobuchar came across as a fighter...@timryan 's idea of a chief manufacturing officer is smart & love call out on 24hr news cycle as being a disaster for country #demdebate

March For Our Lives @AMarch4OurLives: We agree @PeteButtigieg. Pimples, algebra and 8 A.M’s. High school is hard enough without worrying about whether or not you’re going to get shot. #DemDebates

Tara McGowan @taraemcg: Pretty sure @PeteButtigieg is the only candidate running who actually uses + understands @facebook + I can’t stress enough how critical that experience will be to handle the current + imminent challenges of our time. Pls (sic) excuse this serious tweet but it’s real. #DemocraticDebates

Barbara Rodriguez @bcrodriguez: .@PeteButtigieg invoked Scripture in talking about raising the minimum wage, and I'm not really surprised. Buttigieg often talks about his faith on the #iacaucus trail, and cacusgoers have so far been very responsive. #DemDebate

The Century Foundation @tcfdotorg: .@PeteButtigieg is exactly right: predatory for-profit colleges take advantage of people, especially veterans. The federal government can and should fix it. #DemDebate

Donna Brazile @donnabrazile: Church

Steve Grossman @SteveGrossmanMA: I love Mayor @PeteButtigieg ’s strong support for expanding the public service loan forgiveness program to relieve the crushing burden of student debt. #publicservice #studentdebt #DemDebate

Ian Baltutis @ianbaltutis: Glad to see Gig workers and Gig jobs getting some well deserved discussion #millennialmayor #DemDebate

Rebecca Vallas @rebeccavallas: "The minimum wage is just too low. So-called 'Christian conservatives' in the Senate are blocking an increase in the minimum wage...when scripture says 'whoever oppresses the poor taunts their maker.'" --@PeteButtigieg 🔥🔥🔥 #DemDebate

Jordan A. Harris @RepHarris: Yeah this was Fire! RT [Rebecca Vallas @rebeccavallas: "The minimum wage is just too low. So-called 'Christian conservatives' in the Senate are blocking an increase in the minimum wage...when scripture says 'whoever oppresses the poor taunts their maker.'" --@PeteButtigieg 🔥🔥🔥 #DemDebate]

Mark L. Keam @MarkKeam: I’ve worked on presidential campaigns since Dukakis 1988. @PeteButtigieg is the first candidate I support who’s younger than me. I have less years ahead of me than those I’ve already lived, so I want a president who will do right by my children and their children. #WinTheEra RT [Preet Bharara @PreetBharara: Mayor Pete takes every opportunity to emphasize his youth. Eg, I was a junior when Columbine happened (what??). What will be criticized as a weakness he aggressively wields as a strength. He’s just 37 and owns it.]

Charlotte Clymer🏳️‍🌈@cmclymer: Pete Buttigieg gave a flawless answer on Afghanistan. Pitch perfect. #DemDebate

Aniesia Williams @iamaniesia: POWERFUL! 👉🏽“We will withdraw... we have too. I thought I was turning out the lights years ago.” @PeteButtigieg #CNNDebate #DemDebates

Simon Clark @SimonClarkFP4A: @PeteButtigieg proposes a three year sunset for any new #AUMF, wins a huge applause

Cynthia von Buhler @CynthVonBuhler: .@PeteButtigieg wins for most presidential. #DemocraticDebate #DemDebate2020

Maria Cardona @MariaTCardona: .@PeteButtigieg is for sure one of the big winners tonight.

Governor Steve Bullock Statement on Tuesday's Democratic Debate

Governor Bullock Provides Clear Choice in Democratic Debate

Detroit, MI — Following Tuesday’s Democratic Debate in Detroit, Montana Governor Steve Bullock released the following statement:

“Tonight, I introduced myself to voters across the country as a pro-choice, pro-union, populist Democrat,” said Montana Governor Steve Bullock. “I made clear that this election isn’t a choice between the left and the center or between ‘wishlist economics’ and sacrificing our values in order to win. This election must be about giving Americans a fair shot and making sure we don’t forget the people Washington left behind. As the only candidate on stage who won and governed a state Donald Trump won, I will win back the places Democrats lost and rid our system of the corrupting influence of dark money.”

What People Are Saying About Pete Buttigieg's Debate Performance. Part 2

What People Are Saying About Pete Buttigieg's Debate Performance

“Passionate and on point…So freaking smart...insightful concepts...the most mature...strong...drew applause…the best answer...right on...far and away the most important answer of the night.”

Key Excerpts

New York Times: “Drew applause with the prediction that Republicans would brand the eventual Democratic nominee as a wild-eyed extremist no matter what policies that person endorsed.”

On Twitter:

Ezra Klein @ezraklein: Pete Buttigieg's answer on structural reform is far and away the most important answer of the night. If you want to get *any* of this stuff done, you have to start with structural reform so that popular majorities can make policy. Otherwise it's all going to die in the Senate.

Harry Litman @harrylitman: Mayor Pete has a way of crafting sound bites that don't sound like sound bites--they sound original, smart, not trite. He also very rarely fails to say something worthwhile and interesting -along with Warren the highest % there. And he never loses his cool. Really impressive.

Jake Miller @politicalmiller: Man is Pete Buttigieg having one hell of a night. Fully deserving of his top-tier status. #DemDebate

Gretchen Carlson @GretchenCarlson: Agree with you @PeteButtigieg — kids shouldn’t have to worry about being shot while they are at school. #CNNDebate

Ron Elving @NPRrelving: Pete Buttigieg may be youngest person on stage but often seems the most mature.

Jason Johnson @DrJasonJohnson: Mayor Pete is the first person to talk about DC Statehood on the debate stage - Big points for @TheRoot Black Power Rankings since that essentially creates a black run state #DemDebate

CBS News @CBSNews: In the wake of yet another deadly mass shooting, Mayor Pete Buttigieg delivered a powerful response about gun violence at the #DemDebate (link: https://cbsn.ws/2KhTgus) cbsn.ws/2KhTgus

Muriel Bowser @MurielBowser: I see you @PeteButtigieg #DCStatehood.

Emily L. Hauser @emilylhauser: Ok @PeteButtigieg's "crazy socialists" line was good & also very accurate

Jane Lynch @janemarielynch: @PeteButtigieg passionate and on point.

Adam Wren @adamwren: .@PeteButtigieg's sounded most different from the rest of the field so far as he talked about instituting major structural reforms and gun control.

Charles M. Blow @CharlesMBlow: Like Buttigieg’s answer on constitutional change. That was strong. #DemDebate

David Rothkopf @djrothkopf: @PeteButtigieg best answer on border by far.

Hilary Rosen @hilaryr: “High school is hard enough without worrying if you are going to get shot” Two insightful concepts of in touch @PeteButtigieg #DemDebate #CNNDebate

Charlotte Clymer @cmclymer I was 12 when Columbine happened. Anyone who was a teenager that day--like Pete Buttigieg--knows exactly that dull frustration in hearing those in power talk on end for the last 20 years about gun violence but do nothing. Our generation knows that frustration. #DemDebate

Tiffany Cross @TiffanyDCross: And I’ll say this about @PeteButtigieg - the guy is genuine. Even when it comes to his shortcomings. He, and anyone on stage tonight, would be better than the current situation.

Dan Baer @danbbaer: .@PeteButtigieg is right. We have now produced two school shooting generations and we cannot we cannot we cannnot (sic) produce a third.

We need to get money out of our politics so that we can pass the common sense gun safety reforms that our country needs. #DemDebate

Jess Mcintosh @jess_mc: “Pretending to be disabled” is a really great way of describing Trump’s bone spurs. Mayor Pete has had some really good lines tonight.

Brian Fallon @brianefallon: Thank you @PeteButtigieg for plugging structural reform of the Supreme Court.

P.G. Sittenfeld @PGSittenfeld: My two favorite candidates on tonight's stage:
- @ewarren: she knows exactly why she's running for President and what she wants to accomplish for the country
- @PeteButtigieg: he thinks and speaks with a clarity and a freshness that would serve America very well right now

Lauren Ober @OberandOut: Shoutout to Mayor Pete for talking about DC Statehood in the #CNNDebate. FYI people in DC pay federal taxes and have no voting representation in Congress. Which is unconstitutional.

Greg Pinelo @gregpinelo: Buttigieg is so freaking smart.

Mindy Finn @mindyfinn: Buttigieg is spot on that barring structural change, the extreme poles of America will continue to dominate policy debates and block popular solutions.

Elie Mystal @elienyc: I like that @PeteButtigieg is straight up talking about amending the constitution. I really like that. It's a better answer than "omg, the NRA you guys." #DemocraticDebate

Preet Bharara @PreetBharara: Mayor Pete takes every opportunity to emphasize his youth. Eg, I was a junior when Columbine happened (what??). What will be criticized as a weakness he aggressively wields as a strength. He’s just 37 and owns it.

Mark L. Keam @MarkKeam: Yes @PeteButtigieg is right. And I can think of several constitutional amendments that will make America a More Perfect Union: overturn Citizens United, get rid of Electoral College, . . . and pass Equal Rights Amendment!! #WinTheEra #CNNDebate

Max Burns @themaxburns: Buttigieg was right on. We've allowed conservatives to set the terms and declare things like Constiturional (sic) amendments off-limits. It's time to put every tool back on the table.

Maria Cardona @MariaTCardona: . @PeteButtigieg has a great point: we will deal w Climate Change if and only if we win the election. That is the case w every issue Dems are discussing.

Alex Morash @AlexMorash: Mayor Pete is hitting it out of the park. #DemDebate

Brad Cromes @BradCromes: .@PeteButtigieg SLAYED with that. Helluva case for his candidacy. #DemDebate

Max Burns @themaxburns: Damn, @PeteButtigieg straight up calling @realDonaldTrump
a coward who faked a disability to avoid serving in Vietnam. Wow, turn it up I love this song. #DemDebate

What People Are Saying About Pete Buttigieg’s Debate Performance. Part 1

What People Are Saying About Pete’s Buttigieg Debate Performance
 
“He's 100% right … Music to My Ears...Winner of the Night So Far...Shining Tonight...Line of The Night...Best Opening Speech...GOOD Line…Nailed It...Brilliant...Pragmatic”

On Twitter:

Jen Psaki @jrpsaki This is why people like @PeteButtigieg

Ben LaBolt @BenLaBolt Nailed it @PeteButtigieg

Wajahat Ali @wajahatali: Buttigieg is making a strong and smart point that Republicans, no matter what, will paint them all as radicals and they shouldn't play to them. I hope all the Dem candidates take heed. #DemDebate

Abby Hunstsman @HuntsmanAbby: Winners of the night so far: @PeteButtigieg @chrisbharrison

Susan Glasser @sbg1: Pete Buttigieg seems like a real grownup on the stage amid a very shouty debate so far.

Ashley Pratte @AshPratte: Mayor @PeteButtigieg is shining tonight #DemDebate

Brian Tyler Cohen @briantylercohen: The line of the night so far by @PeteButtigieg

Mehdi Hasan @mehdirhasan: Buttigieg is more engaging and original in his first 20 seconds than all of the previous candidates/speakers put together. He knows how to talk that's for sure. #DemDebate

Clint Watts @selectedwisdom: Best opening speech goes to…@PeteButtigieg

Zerlina Maxwell @ZerlinaMaxwell: Very very good RT [Jess McIntosh @jess_mc: “Within cheating distance of the White House” is a GOOD line Mayor Pete.]

Jess McIntosh @jess_mc: “Within cheating distance of the White House” is a GOOD line Mayor Pete.

Ilyse Hogue @ilyseh: .@PeteButtigieg uses his intro to talk about the existential threats to our climate and to abortion rights. As someone who has fought passionately for both, this is music to my wears. #DemocraticDebate

Parker Molloy @parkermolloy: .@PeteButtigieg: "It's time to stop worrying about what Republicans will say." He's 100% right. No matter who gets the nom, they're going to be treated as though they're the most radically left candidate ever. Candidates should run on whatever policies they think are right.

Shanlon Wu @shanlonwu: #MayorPete nails it when he says #Trump needs a crisis at the border he wants constant crisis!

Indivisible Guide @IndivisibleTeam: .@PeteButtigieg get's it. We have to stand up and do the right thing even when Republicans make fun of it or  try to distract us with name calling. #DemDebate

Bob Cesca @bobcesca_go: The best healthcare proposal is @PeteButtigieg ’s plan. Hits all the right notes. #demdebate

Maria Shriver @mariashriver: Mayor @PeteButtigieg says it's time to stop worrying what the Republicans will say and start doing what they believe is right #demdebate

Lois Romano @loisromano: Gotta say @PeteButtigieg is good.

Samantha J. Gross @samanthajgross: First major mention of climate change goes to
@PeteButtigieg: "We're running out of time. We have 12 years before we reach the horizon of catastrophe."

Planned Parenthood @PPNHAF: .@PeteButtigieg highlights the threat to Roe v Wade in his opening remarks. Thank you for saying it loud and clear, Mayor Pete -- the threat to Roe is real and we must fight back. 👏 #DemDebate #NHpolitics #FITN

Tim Fernholz @TimFernholz: Buttigieg is the best candidate so far at just talking about issues without elaborate "I'm TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES" signposting

Katie Phang @KatiePhang: Wow. @PeteButtigieg just gave an excellent opening on the #DemocraticDebate stage! 💥

Charlotte Clymer🏳️‍🌈 @cmclymer: Buttigieg wraps up terror of climate change AND threat to reproductive rights in the same breath, and it was powerful.#DemDebate

Seth MacFarlane @SethMacFarlane: @PeteButtigieg continues to impress above the theatrical fray.

Lea Black @LeaBlackMiami: @PeteButtigieg is brilliant. Pragmatic

Jim Gray @JimGrayLexKY: .@PeteButtigieg is tackling the changes facing our nation head on—that's why his campaign has actually gained traction.

We need a new approach to fix our broken political and economic system, and we need to act soon. Excited to watch Pete take the #DemDebate stage tonight!

Amanda Renteria @AmandaRenteria: “A crisis of cruelty” is the way Pete described this administration’s immigration policy. He’s right.

Charlotte Clymer @cmclymer: Pete Buttigieg is performing well tonight. He's in top form. #DemDebate

Our Daily Planet @ourdaileyplanet: Yay #MayorPete! Way to make #climatechange a central part of your opening speech at the #DemocraticDebate! We have 12 years, what do these candidates propose to do??

Cenk Uygur @cenkuygur: Great point from @PeteButtigieg that Republicans will call you crazy socialists no matter what you’re policies are, so you might as well have a proposal you believe in and fight for it! #DemocraticDebate

Jennifer Victor @jennifernvictor: Good line from Mayor Pete. Republicans will call us socialist no matter what, so "let's just stand up for the right policy." #DemDebate

Susan Crabtree @susancrabtree: Best line so far from Buttigieg:" It’s time to stop worrying what the Republicans will say" … i.e. they're going to cast us as "crazy socialists" even if we embrace a [more] conservative agenda

Ezra Levin @ezralevin: Buttigieg is right about that - the GOP is going to call us socialists regardless of what our policy agenda is. Not worth worrying about - just fight for good policy.

Mindy Finn @mindyfinn: .@PeteButtigieg is giving air to the view tonight that Millennials will save us all.

John Delaney Delivers Opening Statement at Second DNC Debate

John Delaney Delivers Opening Statement at Second DNC Debate

DETROIT, MI – Tonight, John Delaney delivered his opening statement at the Second Democratic Debate, highlighting the contrast between his commonsense solutions and the extreme proposals of candidates like Senators Sanders and Warren. Delaney's statement is transcribed below and can be viewed here.

“Folks, we have a choice. We can go down the road that Senator Sanders and Senator Warren want to take us, which is with bad policies like Medicare-for-all, free everything, and impossible promises, that will turn off independent voters and get Trump re-elected. That’s what happened with McGovern, that’s what happened with Mondale, that’s what happened with Dukakis. Or we can nominate someone with new ideas to create universal healthcare for every American, with choice, someone who wants to unify our country and grow the economy and create jobs everywhere. Then we win the White House. I'm the product of the American dream. I believe in it. I’m the grandson of immigrants and the son of a construction worker. My wife April and I have four amazing daughters. I was the youngest CEO in the history of the New York Stock Exchange, created thousands of jobs, and then served in Congress. That's the type of background - and my platform is about real solutions and not impossible promises that can beat Trump and govern. Thank you.”

DNC Disqualifies One of Andrew Yang's Four Qualifying Polls for Future Debates

DNC DISQUALIFIES ONE OF YANG'S FOUR QUALIFYING POLLS FOR FUTURE DEBATES

Detroit, MI — Just one day before Andrew Yang takes to the debate stage in Detroit, the DNC has passed a negative judgement on one poll Yang received to participate in the third and fourth debates this fall. In an email to all campaigns, the DNC advised that two of Yang's qualifying polls would only count as one due to a rule that each qualifying poll must come from different organizations.

"On July 11, NBC and the Wall Street Journal released the results of a national survey that included a candidate support question for the 2020 Democratic presidential primary. Eight days later, on July 19, NBC, in partnership with SurveyMonkey, released the results of another national survey with a candidate support question. A particularly important rule in our debate framework is the requirement that candidates' initial qualifying polls be conducted by different sponsors, or if by the same sponsor, in different geographies."

The Yang Campaign has responded by stating that by the DNC's own rules, the Wall Street Journal poll should count separately given that they are one of the designated qualifying organizations. Yang has now received qualifying polls run by NBC News, FOX News, Wall Street Journal, and Quinnipiac.

In a statement, Campaign Manager Zach Garuman rejected the DNC decision:
“By the DNC's own rules, the Wall Street Journal, NBC News, Fox News, and Quinnipiac are all approved organizations, and thus Andrew Yang has qualified for the fall debates. We disagree with the DNC decision and are disappointed with the ruling. It is frustrating to see the rules be changed mid-game, but our campaign has overcome every obstacle placed in our path, and we will continue to upset the establishment well into 2020.”