Democrats spar at debate over health care, how to beat Trump
Associated PressATLANTA — Democratic presidential candidates clashed in a debate over the future of health care in America, racial inequality and their ability to build a winning coalition to take on President Donald Trump next year. “The American people understand that the current health care system is not only cruel — it is dysfunctional,” Sanders said. Former Vice President Joe Biden countered that many people are happy with private insurance through their jobs, while Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana, complained about other candidates seeking to take “the divisive step” of ordering people onto universal health care, “whether they like it or not.” Democrats successfully campaigned on health care last year, winning control of the House on a message that Republicans were slashing existing benefits. “But let’s also get those independents and moderate Republicans who cannot stomach anymore.” The fifth Democratic debate unfolded in Atlanta, a city that played a central role in the civil rights movement, and the party’s diversity, including two African American candidates, was on display. “I think that it’s unfortunate that we have someone on the stage who is attempting to be the Democratic nominee for the president of the United States who during the Obama administration spent four years full time on Fox News criticizing President Obama,” Harris said.