The next Democratic debate will air Tuesday night, live from Ohio on CNN. The New York Times is also part of the mix as a debate sponsor. Here are all the details on start time, moderators, live streams, and candidates on stage.
CNN/New York Times Democratic Debate (Fourth Debate)
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019
Time: 8 pm ET (7 pm CT, 6 pm MT, 5 pm PT)
Location: Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio
Sponsors: CNN, New York Times
Moderators: CNN hosts Anderson Cooper and Erin Burnett, along with New York Times National Editor Marc Lacey
What time does the debate start?
The debate will start at 8 pm ET, 5 pm PT. The actual questioning may not begin until a few minutes after 8 since CNN has a tendency to drag the opening out as long as possible to get as many primetime viewers as they can. It’s likely that tuning in right at 8 or a little after won’t cause you to miss any opening statements or opening questions.
Where can I watch the debate?
The debate will air exclusively on CNN, CNN International, CNN en Español, and stream on CNN.com’s homepage and NYTimes.com’s homepage.
In addition, the debate will be available across mobile devices via CNN’s and New York Times’ apps for iOS and Android, via CNNgo apps for Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, Chromecast and Android TV, SiriusXM Channels 116, 454, 795, the Westwood One Radio Network and National Public Radio.
Election Central will also provide a stream embed if available.
Which candidates made the October debate stage?
In total, there will be 12 candidates on stage together on Tuesday night. This large group breaks the original intention of the DNC to have no more than 10 on stage at one time. However, it was decided that in the interests of viewership, the DNC preferred to keep the debate held to one night rather than split the field over two consecutive nights.
- Former Vice President Joe Biden
- Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts)
- Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont)
- Sen. Cory Booker (D-New Jersey)
- Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana
- Former Housing Secretary Julián Castro
- Sen. Kamala Harris (D-California)
- Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota)
- Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas)
- Entrepreneur Andrew Yang
- Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii)
- Businessman Tom Steyer
Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard missed the September debate cut-off but was able to secure enough qualifying polls to once again take the stage this month. She will most likely, however, miss the November debate so this may be her last debate appearance.
Businessman and Democratic activist Tom Steyer will be a brand new face on the debate stage. Steyer dropped millions of dollars of his personal fortune on advertising in early states with the intention of securing qualifying polls to join the stage. He missed the cut in September, but has made it for October. Steyer is unlikely to qualify for November so this will probably be his first and last debate appearance.
What is the podium order?
The debate will be a one-on-one between Biden and Warren, flanked by Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg, respectively, as illustrated by the podium order graphic below:
Will Bernie Sanders participate?
Following his heart attack two weeks ago, questions arose about whether Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders would be able to continue the break-neck pace of a presidential election campaign. His doctors urged him to slow it down, but as Deadline reports, he is confirmed to be participating in the debate:
CNN has confirmed that Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders will be on stage at the CNN/New York Times-sponsored October 15 debate.
The 78-year-old Vermont senator underwent a heart stent procedure Tuesday to correct an artery blockage. Yesterday his campaign suspended all appearances and events as Sanders recuperated; the candidate did not take part in MSNBC’s six-hour gun forum yesterday.
Though reports began circulating this morning that Sanders would attend the Oct. 15 Democratic debate, the news was confirmed on air by CNN’s John King during the network’s noon hour program Inside Politics.
Luckily for Sanders, he’s had some time to recover enough that he’s able to join the debate stage for the fourth time this year. He’s also confirmed for the November debate as well, assuming his health situation continues on the mend.
What are the major debate topics?
There are likely several big topics to get a substantive amount of time being discussed by the candidates. Here’s a rundown on each one:
Impeachment – The impeachment inquiry into President Trump launched by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is sure to be the lead-off topic, if not the dominant topic of the night. There will likely be a point to get each candidate on the record about whether they support the impeachment of President Trump at this time.
Turkey/Syria – The decision by President Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria will also be a topic discussed at length. The ramifications for foreign policy are deep, and there is dissension among Republicans over the President’s decision. Look for Democrats to take a more hawkish view than they typically would over matters of U.S. military presence.
Healthcare – This topic has become a staple of the Democratic debate stage, with views ranging from Bernie Sanders’ “Medicare for all” plan to a more tempered healthcare reform favored by former vice president Joe Biden and Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Once again, this will be a topic, but it may be overshadowed by other major events.
Taxes and wealth – In the time since the last debate, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren both introduced plans to increase taxes on ultra-wealthy individuals, often referred to as a “wealth tax.” This will also be a point of discussion, perhaps dovetailed with Bernie’s reminder to Democratic voters that Elizabeth Warren still considers herself a “capitalist.”
Where can I stay up-to-date?
We will have more details on Tuesday including live stream links and everything else you need to know about the October Democratic debate, the fourth debate among the twelve approved debates by the Democratic National Committee.
Follow and bookmark our Democratic debate schedule page for the latest information.
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