IMAGE: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden | State Department photo/ Public Domain
Heading into the 11th – and quite possibly final – Democratic debate the stakes were at their highest, with Bernie Sanders needing to prove that the race was not over, and Joe Biden having to arrest fears about his mental state, following a series of high profile gaffes.
With the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic spreading throughout America, the debate, originally meant to be held in front of a studio audience in Phoenix, Arizona, was instead held in a television studio in Washington D.C., with both candidates spending much of the debate addressing the pandemic.
Bernie Sanders faced a difficult challenge coming into the debate, but the pandemic arguably provided a unique opportunity to show the failures of the American healthcare system, which he believes his Medicare for all programme could solve.
Making several digs at the current system, suggesting that insurance and drug companies are looking at the pandemic as little more than a profiteering opportunity, Sanders made strong claims that would likely have resonated with the millions of Americans currently suffering without health insurance.
Biden hit back suggesting that the pandemic should be paid for out of government coffers, suggesting that Americans should not have to pay for their Coronavirus treatment ‘period’.
Throughout the debate it was clear that Biden’s challenge was to present himself as the statesman, above the tumultuous political discourse of recent years, and to prove to the American people that despite recent gaffes, he has the capability to lead.
Avoiding any major slip ups throughout the debate, Biden was largely able to do this, despite speaking little to the issues that impact everyday Americans, beyond the specific instance of the Coronavirus.
With just two people on the stage, both men were able to put forward coherent plans for America, with both candidate’s supporters likely feeling that they came out of the debate victorious.
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For this reason, it was probably a victory for the former vice president, with Joe Biden avoiding any slip ups that might derail his campaign. His recent run in with a factory worker in Michigan had many within the Democratic party worried as to whether Biden would be up to the task of being president.
Focusing largely on the threat of Donald Trump, Biden was able to successfully manoeuvre the debate, and despite offering few thrills for the American people, was able to come through the debate unscathed.
With his superior name recognition and significant polling lead in each of the four states heading to the polls today (Tuesday 17th March), coming through unscathed is likely enough to secure him the nomination.
With much of America quarantined and turning in to the debate, it was an opportunity for Bernie Sanders to once again take control of the narrative, but he was unable to do this effectively. Despite strong challenges to Biden’s record, contrasting to his own track record on protecting social security and working families, he was largely unable to wrestle momentum from Biden.
The DC debate was likely the last we will see in this presidential primary. Biden’s performance was likely strong enough to see him secure the plurality of delegates in the next round of the primary, which could see him announce a running mate in the coming days (after pronouncing in the debate he shall pick a female nominee) and likely force Bernie Sanders out of the race.
It may not have been a spectacular performance, but with America watching, Biden might just have secured the nomination
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Calum Paton is a History and Politics student at the University of Warwick. His writing predominantly focuses on American and British politics. Twitter: @Paton_Calum
