Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesAfter two lively Republican debates, it's finally time for the Democrats' turn in the spotlight!
Broadcast live from Las Vegas on CNN, the first Democratic Debate for Decision 2016 brought Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Jim Webb, Lincoln Chafee and Martin O'Malley together to discuss the biggest issues facing America today.
Noticeably absent from the discussion was current Vice President Joe Biden. While he had an invitation to attend the debate, he declined and reportedly hosted a high school reunion and watched from home.
So what did Biden miss out on? Let us begin.
Let's do this. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/y31OQXaa9b
? Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 14, 2015Moderator Anderson Cooper didn't mess around when he began discussing each candidate's electability.
When Clinton was asked if she changes her political identity based on who she's talking, the former Secretary of State flatly denied it. "I don't take a back seat when it comes to anyone," she said. "I'm a progressive, but I'm a progressive who likes to get things done."
Speaking of labels, Cooper was determined to clarify Sander's title as a "socialist candidate." He would ultimately get an explanation from the Senator.
"What Democratic socialism is about is saying that it is immoral and wrong that the top 1/10th of one percent of this country own almost as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent," Sanders declared.
A block of granite my friends pic.twitter.com/0L7YNqG1x4
? Liz Goodwin (@lizcgoodwin) October 14, 2015As for Chafee, he wasn't getting off easy either. When Cooper pointed out that the former governor has only been a democrat for two years, Chafee shared, "Anderson, you're looking at a block of granite when it comes to the issues." Cue the memes!
Perhaps one of the most important topics discussed was gun control in the United States. Clinton was clear in her intentions that every American should come together to create change.
"This has gone on too long and it's time the entire country stood up against the NRA," she said to a giant round of applause. "We need to stand up and say enough of that. We're not going to let it continue."
On a much lighter note, both Clinton and Sanders managed to agree 100 percent on one particular topic: They both are sick of hearing about e-mails.
"I don't want to talk not about my emails, but about what the American people want from the next president of the United States," Clinton proclaimed. Sanders replied, "I agree with the secretary. I think the American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn emails."
Yes, that received a standing ovation from the entire room. And the two candidates even shook on it.
#WeAreDemocrats and we love substantive debates! #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/J4TtMe3ilj
? The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) October 14, 2015If you thought Sanders and Clinton stole the show when it came to the amount of time they were given, you're likely not alone.
At one point, Webb reminded Cooper that he hadn't spoken for about 10 minutes. There's always the next debate.
Jim Webb can get no love at the #DemDebate:
https://t.co/lz6pYs89X3
? AJ+ (@ajplus) October 14, 2015