Tonight marks the second night of the July debates among Democratic candidates with last night's kicking off the second overall debates of familiar candidates like Bernie Sanders and Beto O' Rourke, as well as slightly less familiar candidates like Marianne Williamson. With candidates like Kamala Harris and Joe Biden leading the Democratic conversation, it's easy to forget that there are more people vying for the nomination alongside the 2020 Republican nominee.
To prep you for night 2, we've compiled a second list of Democratic candidates that features all of the candidates that will be debating tonight for your viewing pleasure. Similar to yesterday's list, here you will learn the names of the candidates, what they stand for, if they have a chance at the nomination, and ultimately whether or not they deserve your black vote*. Enjoy.
*Detailed explanations of "do they deserve your black vote" only goes towards candidates polling more than 5 percent from the Black Democratic Primary voter's poll.
July 31 Debate (Night 2)
Joseph R. Biden Jr. (76)
What He Said:
"If we give Donald Trump eight years in the White House, he will forever and fundamentally alter the character of this nation, who we are, and I cannot stand by and watch that happen."
The Rundown:
- Has run for president twice before.
- He is considered one of the most likable figures in the Democratic Party.
- He believes that 2020 is his last chance to run for the presidential seat.
- Signature Issues: Restoring America's standing on the global stage; strengthening economic protections for low-income workers in industries like manufacturing and fast food.
Can he win the nomination? Yes. As vice president to Barack Obama, he is one of the popular Democratic candidates. However, as shown in the first presidential debate, his past policy stance and his tendency to be handsy are major hindrances to ensure his nomination. Also, this is his third time running for president, and the other two didn't show well in his favor.
Does He Deserve Your Black Vote?
*Biden has not endorsed specific reparation bills, though he does believe that there needs to be research on the issue. Regardless, he does not support reparations commission. He has been said to want 16 years of free public education, but like other Democratic candidates, he doesn't have a plan for implementation. He has not said anything specific on police brutality but based off his work with the Obama administration, it can be expected that he will take a proactive approach to investigating police violence. Biden support Obama's Affordable Health Care Act but doesn't have a healthcare platform of his own. He has stated that he believes we should "stand up to the abuse of power by polluters who disproportionately harm communities of color and low-income communities. Biden has the highest percent in Black voters at 38 percent, according to the latest Morning Consult weekly tracking poll.
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