Elections
Health Care

5 Takeaways from the South Carolina #DemDebate

Image Credit
Matt Rourke / AP Photo
Wesley Story
With just a week to go before Super Tuesday, candidates sparred on the debate stage in South Carolina while Texas voters watched.

The South Carolina Democratic Debate was the last debate before Super Tuesday on March 3. With only seven candidates on stage, the presidential hopefuls gave it their all to make an impression.

Here are five takeaways from the night: 

1. Progressive issues are mainstream issues. 

Senator Elizabeth Warren took a move right out of the Progress Texas playbook when she started the debate off by noting that “progressive ideas are popular ideas.” Here in the office, we all cheered! 

Warren was right. Progressive issues are mainstream issues - even in Texas! Texas voters want a candidate who embraces progressive values and who will fight for ALL Texans. Don’t believe us? Progress Texas released statewide Democratic poll results Wednesday and the findings show that Texans are looking for candidates who stand for something, as opposed to just being against Donald Trump.

2. Candidates must listen to black voters.

The Congressional Black Caucus Institute was co-hosting the debate and the topic of race relations and racial inequities came up multiple times throughout the night. 

The fact is, all of the candidates on stage, as well as candidates in Texas and across the nation, must do a better job of listening to black voters. Black women consistently vote at a higher rate than any other demographic and in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections, black voters provided the margin of victory.

Across the country, those running for office should be prioritizing voter outreach to black communities, lifting up black voices, and elevating black candidates.

3. Health care is a human right.

The debate on health care continued, with candidates sticking to their guns on the best way to approach America’s affordable health care crisis. Candidates were also asked to discuss health care access in rural communities. 

Texas is home to the largest number of rural hospital closures in the country and about a quarter of all closures have happened here. Texas also has the highest uninsured rate in the nation. Meanwhile, our GOP lawmakers continue to attack the Affordable Care Act in an effort to take away health care from millions and remove protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

Health care is a human right and our state needs a president who will not rest until all Texans are insured and can access the affordable health care they need!

4. We need gun reform now.

Gun violence is preventable, but Republicans and special interests are holding us back. Candidates discussed their plans to address gun violence and how to get common sense gun reform legislation passed.

We know that a majority of Texans want and need gun reform. Texans want candidates who support things like passing universal background checks and ‘red flag’ laws, as well as stopping straw purchases and the sale of assault weapons. Gun violence is preventable, and we need a president who fights to keep all Texans safe!

5. Go vote!

Early voting in the Texas primary runs through Feb. 28 and Election Day is March 3. 

Texas voters have the opportunity to use their voice and decide which candidates will make it onto the ballot in November. We must ALL get out and vote!

Tags
#DemDebate
Democratic Debate
2020Election
South Carolina
Wesley Story headshot

by
Wesley Story

Communications Manager

@WesleyStory0 wesley@progresstexas.org

Subscribe

The Latest