Ten Democrats showcased their plans to create jobs and ensure clean water as part of a televised presidential debate Wednesday night in Detroit.
This was the second group of hopefuls to appear in the CNN-sponsored Democratic debates in Detroit’s Fox Theatre.
Most of the debate focused on jobs, immigration, manufacturing, and clean water. But the issue of election security came up over a standoff in the Senate on taking up election reforms. That’s even though GOP leaders agree Russians did try to meddle in US elections. Republicans say the attempts did not change the result.
US Senator Cory Booker disagreed.
“We lost the state of Michigan because everybody from Republicans to Russians were targeting the suppression of African-American voters,” he said.
That was just one of the issues as ten Democrats showcased their plans for the economy, justice, and national security.
New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio said Flint’s lead-tainted water revealed a national crisis. DeBlasio vowed that, if elected, he would demand a national effort to replace aging water systems.
“We’re going to go into every place, buildings, schools, public housing, and take out that lead, remediate that lead once and for all, and that needs to be done all over this country,” he said.
Former Vice President Joe Biden defended his role in the Detroit auto bailout during the debate.
“I was part of the organization within our administration that pushed bailing General Motors out, saving tens of thousands of jobs here in this state,” he said.
Other candidates onstage said he’s helped sustain the fossil fuel economy. But Biden says the auto loans helped pave the way for electric and hybrid vehicles.
