THE FULL DEBATE
WATCH IT HERE (ON REAL CLEAR POLITICS)
(You can fast forward to the start of the debate)
SHORT CLIPS & QUOTES
CLOSING STATEMENT:
.@PeteButtigieg has a positive, unifying vision for our country. It's why we're working to put Pete -- a Veteran of the War in Afghanistan -- in the Oval Office as Commander-in-Chief. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/r9MezKRaaP
— VoteVets (@votevets) February 26, 2020
"If you would be a leader, you must first be a servant." – @PeteButtigieg #DemDebate
— Erin Schrode (@ErinSchrode) February 26, 2020
.@PeteButtigieg: If we want to keep the House in Democratic hands, we might want to check with the people who actually turned the House blue: 40 Democrats who are not running on Senator Sanders' platform. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/bU5fdXbIOJ
— Manuel Bonder (@manuel_bonder) February 26, 2020
We don't have to be invading countries to make a difference" -- @PeteButtigieg on how he'll protect civilians worldwide without another #ForeverWar#DemDebate #TeamPete pic.twitter.com/c5cy1fBwIM
— VoteVets (@votevets) February 26, 2020
#DemDebate #teampete @PeteButtigieg https://t.co/fbNQRqtqzw
— Milwaukee For Pete Buttigieg (@Milwaukee4Pete) February 26, 2020
All of these things are connected—housing, wages, criminal justice reform. We won’t be able to address any of these as long as Black voices are systematically excluded from political participation. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/VC4pSyr251
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) February 26, 2020
We must restore the credibility of the United States. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/J7RWdFbuHV
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) February 26, 2020
"I am not looking forward to a scenario where it comes down to Donald Trump with his nostalgia for the social order of the 1950s and Bernie Sanders with his nostalgia for the revolutionary politics of the 1960s" - @PeteButtigieg #DemDebate
— it is PETE STILL WON IOWA and it is moral (@mermaidavenues) February 26, 2020
We must stop acting like the presidency is the only office that matters. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/2eaI2Unn3v
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) February 26, 2020
.@PeteButtigieg to @BernieSanders re: 40 Democrats running for congress:
— Tán 🏳️🌈 (@ginandtanic) February 26, 2020
"They're running from your platform as fast as they can." 😂
Pete Buttigieg delivers back to back throw downs of Bernie Sanders and the crowd is LOVING IT.#DemDebate2020 #DemDebate #TeamPete pic.twitter.com/Q0N9li7Fyk
— Luca🐝🇸🇪 (@luca_vhc) February 26, 2020
How are you going to deliver a revolution if you won’t even support a rule change?
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) February 26, 2020
The filibuster must go. #DemDebate
Senator Sanders at one point said his health care plan was going to cost $40 trillion, then it was $30 trillion, then it was $17 trillion.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) February 26, 2020
I’ll tell you what it adds up to: 4 more years of Donald Trump. #DemDebatehttps://t.co/RwDvSEr3oj pic.twitter.com/YR0gj24vcW
Mayor Pete has the moment of the debate when he says Sanders math equals 4 more years of Trump and a Republican House and Senate. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/4acKsFByTg
— Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 26, 2020
Q: @PeteButtigieg, you've had issues with the black community as Mayor of South Bend. Do you think Mike Bloomberg's stop and frisk policy is racist.
— Pod Save America (@PodSaveAmerica) February 26, 2020
Pete: Yes. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/p8N2Xirgkx
"If you get nominated, we'll be re-litigating this all year."
— New Jersey for Pete! 🐝 (@NJ4Pete) February 26, 2020
~@PeteButtigieg making the point that a Bloomberg nomination is putting for the risk of all his previous misbehavior being part of the 2020 election.#DemDebate
If you think the last four years were chaotic, divisive, and exhausting, imagine spending the better part of 2020 with Bernie Sanders versus Donald Trump. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/5S8EKpJgRe
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) February 26, 2020
👏👏 Hear, hear! @PeteButtigieg nails this:
— Equality California (@eqca) February 26, 2020
"There's a majority of the American people who I think right now want to to turn on the tv see their president and see their blood pressure go down." #TurnThePage #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/AYpKMYoC2g
Pete Buttigieg breaks the fourth wall at tonight's #DemDebate. pic.twitter.com/W0bSXGH17J
— The New Yorker (@NewYorker) February 26, 2020
PRE-DEBATE
Wow...... That punch by @PeteButtigieg to @SenSanders might have knocked him out. #Demdebate
— Jorge Andrés (@IBThatRaspOnTV) February 26, 2020
Buttigieg with the strongest opener of the first four.
— Josh Kraushaar (@HotlineJosh) February 26, 2020
10th time.
— Chasten Buttigieg (@Chas10Buttigieg) February 26, 2020
He’s got this.
Right now, we need your help for what comes after the #DemDebate: South Carolina and Super Tuesday. We need to raise $13 million for @PeteButtigieg to stay competitive. If you can, please chip in: https://t.co/CovUCa2YxQ
TWEETS/REACTIONS
Hearing @PeteButtigieg give an eloquent, flowery, and compelling final answer about "biggest misconception" and personal motto, followed by @MikeBloomberg not funny, incoherent 15 seconds... was stunning. Reminds you that $ can't buy you thoughtfulness. #Democrats2020
— David Shuster (@DavidShuster) February 26, 2020
Mayor Pete with the right answer on nuking the filibuster, and he’s also the only one with a plan on SCOTUS reform (though this SCOTUS would rule it unconstitutional)
— Mike Sacks (@MikeSacksEsq) February 26, 2020
Standard, weak, Dem-sounding answer on being Commander-in-Chief from @ewarren and @MikeBloomberg. Strong answer from @PeteButtigieg. His experience in that area continues to be a good look for Dems. Now, you’re all out of time! CBS checked that box. On to something else!
— Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) February 26, 2020
Shoutout to @PeteButtigieg linking Denmark the country to Denmark, South Carolina. My kind of nerdery. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/LGAZ16pIt9
— Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) February 26, 2020
Kudos to Mayor Pete for going after the actual poll leader (Sanders) and not using this stage to run for VP and jumping in the trash Bloomberg bandwagon. Warren taking air out of Biden, supporting Saunders. #DemDebate
— Matthew Mayer (@mayersolopiano) February 26, 2020
Buttigieg's line of the night:
— Steven Dennis (@StevenTDennis) February 26, 2020
"We're not going to win these critical, critical House and Senate races if people in those races have to explain why the nominee of the Democratic Party is telling people to look at the bright side of the Castro regime."
Buttigieg seems to be the only candidate who's landed any real hits at Sanders tonight, with most others still turning their fire on Bloomberg
— Jessica Taylor (@JessicaTaylor) February 26, 2020
@PeteButtigieg was the best person on that stage tonight rught down to his motto articulated and moving #DemDebate2020
— Sandra Bernhard (@SandraBernhard) February 26, 2020
If the metric is pure political talent, Pete Buttigieg is astonishingly good
— David Freedlander (@freedlander) February 26, 2020
Buttigieg says we need a "21st Century Voting Rights Act." Amen. A Dem congress would make this a top priority if Democrats flip the Senate & White House https://t.co/xlaqlIeAKv
— Stephen Wolf (@PoliticsWolf) February 26, 2020
#DemDebate I work on firearms research. @PeteButtigieg is the one candidate on the stage that uses the language that is most effective in moving gun reform forward. I trust Pete to finally lead us to meaningful gun control. #TeamPete #PeteButtigieg @PeteForAmerica
— William D Johnson (@GMUBillJohnson) February 26, 2020
TAKE THEM TO CHURCH PETE! #DemDebates
— Vanessa D. Barksdale (@SincerelyVDB) February 26, 2020
.@PeteButtigieg was the only participant that consistently sounded and acted presidential.
— Bill Florence (@wbf) February 26, 2020
Whatever the topic is - @PeteButtigieg always has the best response. Extremely good on his feet while also being very thoughtful.
— Christine Quinn (@chriscquinn) February 26, 2020
Impressive #demdebate #Election2020
Mayor @PeteButtigieg lowers the temperature on the stage when he talks. Rather than out-yelling or launching attacks, he’s focused on winning in November, reforming our politics, and issues voters care about like helping teachers, addressing gun violence & better health care.
— Jeff Yarbro (@yarbro) February 26, 2020
#PeteButtigieg has my vote! Well-spoken, educated, knowledgeable, calm tempermant, veteran- the list goes on! Pete speaks and he makes sense, people! He is the leader America needs. He checks all the boxes and would make a fantastic president! #DemDebate
— Jesser (@packer_wacker) February 26, 2020
Not gonna lie @PeteButtigieg aka Mayor Pete is doing well tonight. Good points
— Summerhouse (@phillyjax) February 26, 2020
Mayor Pete is SO much better at this than everybody else. #DemDebate
— Isaac Safier (@IsaacSafier) February 26, 2020
Hands down, @PeteButtigieg won this debate. Not a scream or a brag. Not a self serving fact or a untenable promise. Just clear, rational, concise and relatable ideas. Wits, heart and soul. Congratulations, Mayor.
— Eduardo Arosemena Muñoz (@EArosemenaM) February 26, 2020
There is just something really amazing about Pete.
— John Aravosis🇺🇸 (@aravosis) February 25, 2020
.@PeteButtigieg is strong when he talks about wearing the uniform and what the flag on it represents #DemDebate2020
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) February 26, 2020
Pete Buttigieg is quite graceful at knifing rivals with a smile in the face. I hope that if I'm ever stabbed, it's by Pete.
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) February 26, 2020
@PeteButtigieg is terrific: young, energetic, pragmatic, knowledgeable & strong. He should be leading. Why aren’t young people embracing him instead of grandpa B? #DemocraticDebate
— Fabiola Santiago (@fabiolasantiago) February 26, 2020
There is ZERO doubt that @PeteButtigieg is a brutal counter puncher, he comes back to questions and jabs jabs. #demdebate
— Bradley Beychok (@beychok) February 26, 2020
Buttigieg is the only one who has figured out the Sanders as nominee is what’s going to re-elect Trump and decimate the down ballot.
— Claude Taylor (@TrueFactsStated) February 26, 2020
As @PeteButtigieg just told #DemDebate viewers, he’ll restore America’s standing in the world as our next Commander-in-Chief.
— VoteVets (@votevets) February 26, 2020
Putting an end to endless war.
Rebuilding our alliances.
Let’s put a veteran in the Oval Office.#TeamPete
The longer this campaign goes on, the better a candidate @PeteButtigieg becomes. He’s clearly listening, learning, and studying. He doesn’t yell or harangue. He articulates. #PeteForAmerica #TeamPete #DemDebate
— Bob Clark (@Clarkivist) February 26, 2020
Yup @PeteButtigieg is right name one of the 42 that actually flip the House and name one who is supporting @BernieSanders...I’ll wait #DemDebate
— Peter Groff (@petercgroff) February 26, 2020
@PeteButtigieg is making me excited to vote, and it’s been a while. He is thoughtful , aspirational, mature, and realistic #teampete #DemDebate
— Jake kirsch (@Kirschbomb) February 26, 2020
So the youngest guy on the stage has the most thoughtful and comprehensive answer on the threats we face. Imagine that.
— Jen Psaki (@jrpsaki) February 26, 2020
Voter Suppression: Buttigieg: 'Housing, wages, the ability to get anything meaningfully done on criminal justice reform—all of these things are going to be harder to deal with as long as Black voters are excluded' #DemDebate #bhmpolicywatch
— NationalActionNet (@NationalAction) February 26, 2020
Mayor Pete nails it: Trump stuck in the 50s, Bernie in the 60s. Campaigns are, or ought to be, about the future.
— Susan Glasser (@sbg1) February 26, 2020
.@PeteButtigieg deftly brings up his plan on rural health care - Buttigieg manages to project a composure that stands out in the at times chaotic #Demdebate
— esme murphy (@esmemurphy) February 26, 2020
Tonight, @PeteButtigieg is showing up clear, focused, level-headed, and down right Presidential. Happy to say that I am officially #TeamPete. #DemDebate2020
— Heather Marinik (@hamarini) February 26, 2020
.@PeteButtigieg at #DemDebate on the biggest threats the US is facing: “Global health security, and the Coronavirus” require “the ability to listen to scientists, listen to your own intelligence, and coordinate with an international community.”
— USGLC (@USGLC) February 26, 2020
Biden: I have done it
— Eduardo Arosemena Muñoz (@EArosemenaM) February 26, 2020
Bernie: only I can do it
Klobuchar: I have the record
Warren: I have lived it
Bloomberg: I have it @PeteButtigieg: WE; at all times.
Pronouns matter in leaders.
Navy Veteran @PeteButtigieg is absolutely right— as someone who served in Afghanistan, he has unique credibility to PASS gun violence prevention legislation.
— Will Goodwin (@Will_P_Goodwin) February 26, 2020
Weapons of war have no place on the streets of our cities.
Pete knows that firsthand.#DemDebate
That feeling you experience when @PeteButtigieg speaks is your blood pressure going down. Hearing a president lead with measured intelligence and confident resolve once again, rather than outrage and name-calling, will do wonders for our collective psyche. #DemDebate
— Cyrus Habib (@cyrushabib) February 26, 2020
Pete Buttigieg is winning this debate if that matters.
— Robert Shrum (@BobShrum) February 26, 2020
#DemDebate @PeteButtigieg is 100% right that we need to restore our credibility on the national stage with our military policy. While on the ground in Afghanistan Pete served alongside troops for our NATO allies and we must protect that alliance. #TeamPete #PeteButtigieg
— William D Johnson (@GMUBillJohnson) February 26, 2020
Buttigieg gets huge applause for saying Sanders is “reliving the Cold War” and “looking at the bright side of the Castro regime.”#DemDebate #DemocraticDebate
— Luca🐝🇸🇪 (@luca_vhc) February 26, 2020
1) Steyer and Klobuchar need to drop out if they care about the Dem party and it’s voters 2) Can Biden really be that bad or a debater/ speaker? 3) Does Biden need to yell ALL the time? 4) Mayor Pete’s intellect is off the charts #DemDebate2020
— Dr Sheena Howard (@DrSheenaHoward) February 26, 2020
He has an uphill fight in S.C. and beyond but @PeteButtigieg is having a very good night.
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) February 26, 2020
As the only veteran on the stage, @PeteButtigieg speaks with a unique credibility about America’s role in the world. Thank you for your service, Mayor Pete! #DemDebate
— Chris King (@ChrisKingFL) February 26, 2020
Yes, @PeteButtigieg, let's talk about how America abandoned the Kurds and lost our credibility as a powerful and reliable ally.#DemDebate2020
— Isner for Alabama (@TabithaK) February 26, 2020
Pete’s too chill to jump in the shouting match. Might hurt him but it’s also one of the reasons I like him.
— Joe Hill (@joe_hill) February 26, 2020
So far, I think Pete is having a strong night up there, because this answer on the military and intelligence is a good answer.
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) February 26, 2020
We agree with @PeteButtigieg that we must #BanAssaultWeapons! 26 children & educators were killed by 154 bullets in less than 5 minutes. #DemDebate2020 #EndGunViolence #BanWeaponsOfWar pic.twitter.com/buX9s1dpRc
— Newtown Action (@NewtownAction) February 26, 2020
I don’t see enough appreciation for how brutal Pete can hit an opponent while still seeming decent and inspiring.
— Frank DiStefano (@frankjdistefano) February 26, 2020
I used to think he might be too nice for the presidency. He’s actually a killer.
“Pete’s always the most level-headed and is standing out once again. Now how do I pronounce his last name?” - an independent voter here in Lubbock @PeteForAmerica #TurnTexasBlue #TeamPete #DemDebate2020
— Dalia #LubbockLovesPete Jude (@DaliaJude) February 26, 2020
Pete Buttigieg has the best temperament to debate Donald Trump. Voters need to make it happen on Super Tuesday! #DemDebate
— Jon Soltz (@jonsoltz) February 26, 2020
Thank you, @PeteButtigieg for pointing out the challenges teachers face today. He understands the demands placed on educators because he's married to one. #DemDebate
— Equality California (@eqca) February 26, 2020
It's like watching a fight at the retirement home, and someone's grandson is trying to calm things down. #DemDebate
— Duck Farmer (@Duck__Farmer) February 26, 2020
First hour: Biden strong. Pete consistently good. Bernie rattled for the first time this cycle. Bloomberg and Steyer should save their money and quit. Warren remains focused on a guy with Zero delegates. Klobuchar trying to find her footing and get the moderator’s attention.
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) February 26, 2020
Pete's WTF face to Bloomberg has me screeching
— Ryan 🏳️🌈 🐝 (@RyRousseau) February 26, 2020
Whether you like him or not, Buttigieg is the best debater on stage. And it's not that close.
— Chris Cillizza (@CillizzaCNN) February 26, 2020
Pete have punched out Bernie twice, does not bother with others. He apparently wants to win.
— Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) February 26, 2020
.@PeteButtigieg makes a powerful argument that resonates well with his overall story when he casts school shootings as something that scarred his generation.
— Greg Sargent (@ThePlumLineGS) February 26, 2020
Pete Buttigieg slams Senator Sanders for supporting the filibuster says what kind of revolution will Bernie have if he opposes a rules change. Brings up Strom Thurmond's use of the filibuster to prevent civil rights legislation. WOW. #DemDebate
— Grant Stern (@grantstern) February 26, 2020
Buttigieg: "I was in high school when Columbine shooting happened. Now there is a second school shooting generation. Shame on us if there is a third."
— BET News (@BETNews) February 26, 2020
Mayor Pete reminds the candidates that it’s not just the Presidency that needs addressing, but also the House and Senate. #DemDebate #ReclaimYourVote
— BET (@BET) February 26, 2020
I’m from Tennessee, and @PeteButtigieg is absolutely right: a @BernieSanders nomination would be absolutely destructive to our already very vulnerable state Democratic party.
— Christopher J. Hale (@chrisjollyhale) February 26, 2020
If we’re the Titanic, a Bernie nomination would be the iceberg that takes us down. #DemDebate
I had to rewind and watch Pete talking about black women. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I lost a child because of negligence.
— Stephanie Abbott (@_StephOnSports) February 26, 2020
Thank you Pete. Truly thank you. 😭
Mayor @PeteButtigieg pushes back against @BernieSanders to set record straight re: who makes up his campaign donations. #demdebate
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) February 26, 2020
Pete is good.
— John Aravosis🇺🇸 (@aravosis) February 26, 2020
One candidate in the middle of this shouting fest makes us feel optimistic, gives direct answers, makes our blood pressure go down and cares about the Dems who fought and clawed their way to winning back the House on behalf of the American people. His name is @PeteButtigieg
— Lis Smith (@Lis_Smith) February 26, 2020
A big fail for @MikeBloomberg. He let @PeteButtigieg give the answer he failed to give on stop and frisk.
— Frank Rich (@frankrichny) February 26, 2020
I'm 78 years old, & a great believer in the wisdom of the old. But I don't want a president who is my age. Not when the brilliant, talented, & uniquely experienced Pete Buttigieg is running. He's the person for me. His age is his greatest asset.
— Anne Rice (@AnneRiceAuthor) February 25, 2020
Oh my, Buttigieg is so good.
— Stuart Rothenberg (@StuPolitics) February 26, 2020
Mayor Pete curses people out without using curse words. I love it. #DemDebate #DemDebate2020
— Dr Sheena Howard (@DrSheenaHoward) February 26, 2020
What folks are seeing from @PeteButtigieg so far in this debate is the secret sauce of his extraordinary year-long campaign: honesty, thoughtfulness, self-reflection, executive experience, compassion, and moral seriousness.
— Mike Signer (@MikeSigner) February 26, 2020
This is why he holds his own and builds and wins.
Cheering on @PeteButtigieg from Sugar Land, TX #TexasForPete pic.twitter.com/d9hCJF3CqV
— Tyler Sadonis (@Tyler_Sadonis) February 26, 2020
Pete Buttigieg is the only one to damage Sanders so far. I hope others start punching up too.#DemDebate
— Luca🐝🇸🇪 (@luca_vhc) February 26, 2020
Smart of Mayor @PeteButtigieg to point out irony that all candidates on the stage are white, while talking about racial justice. #demdebate
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) February 26, 2020
The only way for seven white people on that stage to discuss racial issues is with humility. And only @PeteButtigieg did that. #DemDebates
— MFR (she/her/hers) (@1971genx) February 26, 2020
Is Amy really quoting DR KING???
— Stephanie Abbott (@_StephOnSports) February 26, 2020
Chile, there’s an innocent black man in prison because YOU wrongfully convicted him. Quoting Dr. King doesn’t change that.
GODDAMN PETE IS ON FIRE!
— Michelle Quintana 🐝🇵🇦🇺🇲🤠 (@Lagreeneyes03) February 26, 2020
.@PeteButtigieg speaking his truth about racial justice in America: “I come to this with humility”... “none of us on this stage” have the experience a black American does with systemic racism.
— Mike Signer (@MikeSigner) February 26, 2020
"I'll tell you what the Russians want. They want chaos.... Bernie Sanders vs. Donald Trump. Think about what that will be like." Say it again, @PeteButtigieg! #DemDebate #TeamPete pic.twitter.com/z80pybvw9b
— Parents4Pete 🐝 (@parents4pete) February 26, 2020
Who's ready for tonight's #DemDebate?!
— Equality California (@eqca) February 26, 2020
One week out from the #CAPrimary and #SuperTuesday, we're cheering on @PeteButtigieg! #TeamPete
👇 Follow along here for highlights from our comms team! pic.twitter.com/dGjrlGUmw1
Enthusiastic group of supporters gather in Richmond, Virginia to cheer on @PeteButtigieg during tonight’s #DemDebate ↴ https://t.co/ALVBp7qtOR
— Casey Clemmons (@casey_clemmons) February 26, 2020