Democratic candidates debate in Ohio

By Veronica Rocha, Meg Wagner and Amanda Wills, CNN

Updated 7:49 p.m. ET, November 11, 2019
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8:30 p.m. ET, October 15, 2019

Tom Steyer makes his debut on the debate stage by attacking Trump

Businessman Tom Steyer, who is appearing tonight on the debate stage for the first time in the race, attacked President Trump, calling him the "criminal in the White House."

"I want to remind everybody that every candidate here is more decent, more coherent and more patriotic than the criminal in the White House," he said.

Steyer then went on to talk about his movement to impeach Trump.

"Two years ago, I started the need to impeach movement because I knew there was something wrong at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, that we did have the most corrupt President in the country and the voice and will of the American people would drag Washington to see it as a matter of right and wrong, not of political expediency. Impeaching and removing the president is something the American people are demanding," he said.

8:37 p.m. ET, October 15, 2019

Buttigieg says he is running "turn the page" from Trump's presidency

From CNN's Eric Bradner

Maddie McGarvey for CNN
Maddie McGarvey for CNN

Pete Buttigieg says he is running for the 2020 Democratic nomination “to be the president that can turn the page” from Donald Trump’s presidency.

The South Bend, Indiana, mayor, asked those watching the debate tonight to imagine the day after Trump’s presidency ends.

“I want you to picture what it’s going to be like, what it’s actually going to feel like in this country the first day the sun comes up after Donald Trump has been president," he said.

On that day, Buttigieg said, the nation will be “vulnerable. Even more torn apart by politics than we are right now.” And the economy, climate change and other issues will still need to be addressed. “I’m running to be the president that can turn the page,” he said.

Watch here:

8:21 p.m. ET, October 15, 2019

Kamala Harris says she'd vote to remove Trump from office: "It's just being observant"

Maddie McGarvey for CNN
Maddie McGarvey for CNN

Sen. Kamala Harris said she would vote to remove President Donald Trump from office if he's impeached by the House is based on "being observant."

CNN's Anderson Cooper asked if she was "being fair to the President" when she said she'd would vote to remove him.

"Well, it's just being observant. Because he has committed crimes in plain sight. I mean, it's shocking but he told us who he was," Harris said.

Harris continued: "Maya Angelou told us, 'Listen to somebody when they tell you who they are the first time.' During that election, Donald Trump told us he could shoot somebody on Fifth Avenue and get away with it. He has consistently since he won been selling out the American people."

Watch here:

8:13 p.m. ET, October 15, 2019

Warren: Trump impeachment inquiry is "bigger than politics"

CNN
CNN

The first question at tonight's debate is all about about the impeachment inquiry into President Trump.

The question: "You have said there's enough evidence for President Trump to be impeached and removed from office. But the question is, with the election one year away, why shouldn't it be the voters who determine the President's fate?"

Sen. Elizabeth Warren answered first:

"Some times there are issues that are bigger than politics, and I think that's the case with this impeachment inquiry."
8:06 p.m. ET, October 15, 2019

There will be no opening statements tonight

The 12 Democratic presidential hopefuls won't be making opening statements tonight.

Instead, the candidates are diving straight into questions.

Here are the rules:

  • Each candidate will receive 75 seconds to answer questions and 45 seconds for responses and rebuttals.
  • They will be provided 15 seconds for clarifications.

8:11 p.m. ET, October 15, 2019

The debate just started

Maddie McGarvey for CNN
Maddie McGarvey for CNN

Twelve Democratic candidates just took the stage in Ohio for tonight's debate. This is the fourth 2020 Democratic debate.

Watch here:

7:56 p.m. ET, October 15, 2019

DNC chair: Any of these candidates "would make a hell of a better president" than Trump

Tom Perez, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, took to the stage tonight to call for unity among Democrats to defeat President Trump.

"We have your back, folks, and every single depend at on this debate stage and every single candidate running for president would make a hell of a better president than this Donald Trump," he said.

Perez went on to slam Trump, saying that the President "practices the politics of division and distraction." He called Trump "chronically ineffective."

He then criticized Trump's call with the Ukrainian president, asking to investigate Joe Biden, a leading 2020 Democratic candidate, and Biden's son, Hunter.

"Mr. President, our democracy is not a bargaining chip," Perez said. "Our security is not for sale."

Watch here:

7:47 p.m. ET, October 15, 2019

Julián Castro's son is watching

One of Julián Castro's biggest fans is tuning in ahead of the debate.

Erica Lira Castro, Julián Castro's wife, tweeted a picture of his son grinning while pointing to a television tuned to CNN.

"That's my daddy right there!" she captioned the photo.

7:59 p.m. ET, October 15, 2019

What it looks like outside the debate

Demonstrators and supporters of President Trump gathered at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, hours before the Democratic presidential debate.

Some demonstrators carried long rifles and others held signs as they walked through the campus.

This is what it looked like:

Gun rights supporters walk to the campus of Otterbein University on Oct. 15, 2019 in Westerville, Ohio.
Gun rights supporters walk to the campus of Otterbein University on Oct. 15, 2019 in Westerville, Ohio. Win McNamee/Getty Images

Supporters of US President Trump and gun rights supporters demonstrate in downtown Westerville, site of this evening’s Democratic presidential debate, on Oct. 15, 2019 in Westerville, Ohio.
Supporters of US President Trump and gun rights supporters demonstrate in downtown Westerville, site of this evening’s Democratic presidential debate, on Oct. 15, 2019 in Westerville, Ohio. Win McNamee/Getty Images

Gun rights supporters demonstrate on the campus of Otterbein University on Oct. 15, 2019 in Westerville, Ohio.
Gun rights supporters demonstrate on the campus of Otterbein University on Oct. 15, 2019 in Westerville, Ohio. Win McNamee/Getty Images