Memorable Moments From The Second CNN Debate

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JULY 31: Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) (5th R) speaks while Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) (L-R), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), former housing secretary Julian Castro, former Vice President Joe Biden, former tech executive Andrew Yang, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, and New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio listen during Democratic Presidential Debate at the Fox Theatre July 31, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. 20 Democratic presidential candidates were split into two groups of 10 to take part in the debate sponsored by CNN held over two nights at Detroit’s Fox Theatre. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

There is no doubt that the second Democratic debate was livelier and more contentious than the first one. Here is who was on stage for this debate:

Joe Biden, the former vice president, and Senators Kamala Harris (CA), Michael Bennet (CO), Cory Booker (NJ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (NY); Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI); Gov. Jay Inslee (WA); Mayor Bill de Blasio (New York City); former HUD Secretary Julián Castro; and entrepreneur Andrew Yang.

While 10 candidates were present, two made the most news. As Dan Rather remarked, “Last night the hyped showdown of Warren vs. Sanders didn’t happen. Tonight Biden vs. Harris in full force.” And it wasn’t just Harris vs. Biden, several candidates took aim at the former VP. Some of those moments are sure to be the most talked-about of the night, but there were many other exchanges that stood out as well. Here are 12 of the most memorable.

Joe Biden to Kamala Harris: "Go easy on me, kid." #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/lBlnaAwCTy
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 1, 2019

There's no excuse for a Democrat to be running for president with a plan that does not cover everyone. My plan covers everyone. Period. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/A0YELViRsn
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 1, 2019

Cory Booker: "The person that's enjoying this debate the most right now is Donald Trump, as we pit Democrats against each other while he is working right now to take away Americans' health care" #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/Sq84wUHwCH
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 1, 2019

Jay Inslee: "I think we're missing two central statements we need to make: No. 1: We can no longer allow a white nationalist to be in the White House." pic.twitter.com/Hvd6DrxRGR
— Axios (@axios) August 1, 2019

Andrew Yang essentially says we're all screwed on climate change, so therefore we all need more money in our pocket so we can move to "higher ground" pic.twitter.com/78Ge1B2zLp
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) August 1, 2019

Cory Booker calls out Biden's dividing up of immigrants, and calls out Trump's "shithole" countries comment. It was NOT bleeped. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/x7WH6PHxGe
— Zack Ford (@ZackFord) August 1, 2019

"Joe Biden told wealthy donors that nothing fundamentally would change if he were President. Kamala Harris said she's not trying to restructure society. Well, I am." – Mayor Bill de Blasio's #DemDebate opening statement https://t.co/ocMY4Kk7jJ pic.twitter.com/kTKDaO2rSg
— Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) August 1, 2019

Julián Castro to Biden on immigration: "It looks like one of us has learned the lessons of the past and one of us hasn't…What we need are politicians that actually have some guts on this issue." pic.twitter.com/hhdCfAcGhW
— Axios (@axios) August 1, 2019

Kamala Harris on her visit to a migrant detention facility: "I saw children lined up single-file. … These children have not committed crimes and should be not treated like criminals." #DemDebate https://t.co/mRwNozivh9 pic.twitter.com/CALOMl73Gv
— CNN (@CNN) August 1, 2019

Eric Garner should be alive. The NYPD officer who killed him should be fired. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/emdO93Fn1g
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) August 1, 2019

Kamala Harris says she would have opposed Biden and segregationists on busing — "Had those segregationists their way, I would not be a member of the United States Senate…and Barack Obama would not have been in the position to nominate (Biden) to the title he now holds." pic.twitter.com/SG8SZDdskH
— Axios (@axios) August 1, 2019