TV debate of the US Democrats: Together against Trump

When the US Democrats set the dates of their pre-election debates almost a year ago, they had no idea that the Ukraine's economy was going to intervene. Now, look at the hearings in Washington, which could lead to impeachment of President Donald Trump.

No wonder the democrat's recent TV debate was overshadowed by the impeachment hearings. For almost eleven hours, four witnesses testified on Wednesday, most notably EU Ambassador Gordon Sondland, a key figure in the scandal. Sondland weighed heavily on Trump. It was gripping Must-See TV.

By contrast, the ten remaining Democrat candidates barely arrived when they stepped into the evening on the stage of a film studio at Atlanta. They were faced with a double challenge: they had to distinguish themselves as the best alternative to Trump - knowing that this topic only marginally interested many Americans.

Former Vice-President Joe Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, and Pete Buttigieg, the surprising young South Bend mayors in Indiana in some polls, said the four leaders - the best starting point for the first primaries in February. For the others, it was about much more. Some could soon be out of the race after this night.

How was it? Who scored, who flopped? The most important findings.

1. How was the impeachment drama reflected?

An impeachment would temporarily pull five candidates out of the election campaign (Warren, Sanders, Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Cory Booker) as they would have to attend the Senator procedure. Should it fail, the presidential election would be a referendum on Trump - and voters want to talk about something else.

The Democrats responded even with cautious words to the turbulence in Washington. "Nobody is above the law," Warren said. Sanders reiterated Trump as "the most corrupt president in modern US history," Harris echoed her applause, "We have a White House criminal," but Buttigieg avoided the topic, and Biden - who finds himself unwillingly at the center of the Ukrainian affair - stumbled into an incomprehensible answer.

2. Who scores, who flopped?

For the Black Kamala Harris it was their best debate so far: they shared against Trump - and against Buttigieg, which performs rather poorly in black voters. Warren convinced as always with skill, Sanders kept up a lively pace, Booker made one last, charming attempt to climb out of the survey hole: "Help me!"

Biden, on the other hand, continued his crash: he seemed unfocused, pale, even older than usual. For several minutes he stood there stiff, staring into the void. The others - Deputy Tulsi Gabbard, tech entrepreneur Andrew Yang, and billionaire Tom Steyer - went down despite unwavering attempts to win the call.

For the first time, the debate was hosted by four women - three journalists from NBC News and one from the Washington Post. This was probably the biggest victory of the night.

John Bazemore / AP

Democratic Candidates: Cory Booker, Tulsi Gabbard, Amy Klobuchar, Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris, Andrew Yang, Tom Steyer (from left)

3. What else was the topic?

The toughest argument was who had the better line to black voters. The best saying from Booker: "I have lifelong experience with black voters - I've been one since I was 18." A director-led dispute over health care reform was slipping, even though Americans are running the annual Obamacare renewal period.

North Korea, the trade war, #MeToo and the wealth debate were dealt with only briefly. The climate crisis was dedicated exactly seven minutes, with meaningless answers. The gun violence did not happen, just days after the recent violence.

4. What else was noticeable?

In the Impeachment shadow, the Democrats formed a distinctly closed front. The most-cited catchword: "Unity." They struggled for harmony and collegiality and attacked each other much less than before. Sanders even helped Biden out of a stutter hole by completing one of his dead-end phrases.

The debate will hardly change this trend. Buttigieg, who has risen above all in Iowa, was mysteriously spared by the crossfire of the rivals. Biden missed the chance to take advantage of Trump's attacks over the Ukraine affair. At some "viewing parties" organized by the Democrats in the province, some viewers went home long before the end of the debate, according to US reports.

5. What's next?

The next and final debate this year is in Los Angeles on December 19th. A few weeks later follow the first primaries in Iowa. By April 2020, there will be more debates. The Democrats want to vote for their candidate in mid-July - and then there are about four months to go before the presidential election on 3 November.