Here’s what I want to hear from all of the candidates. Warren came close last night, but could have gone further.
All of us on the stage tonight, and last night, have much in common. Each one of our Democratic candidates wants universal health care, including comprehensive women’s reproductive health care and choice. We all want secure elections and the protection of every person’s right to vote. We all want common sense gun control and comprehensive immigration reform. We value every person in this country — without regard to color, sex, sexual preference, religion or ethnicity. Every one of us believes that the current levels of income and wealth inequality are wrong and need to be brought back to a better balance.
Tonight you will hear some spirited debate about how to achieve these goals. But make no mistake — every Democrat on the stage tonight is working for you. On the other hand, the Republican party has the opposite agenda. They are actively working to take away health care from millions and severely limit the right of women to manage their own health care. They are actively blocking our efforts to secure our election systems, and are doing all they can to limit your access to the voting booth. Election maps are gerrymandered for partisan political gain. Republicans put the NRA agenda ahead of our children’s safety every day and support human rights abuses at the border. They endorse white supremacists and the false patriotism of “America First”, with the not so subtle subtext of “Old White Male America First”. They promote tax cuts for the rich while cutting services for the rest of us.
These are Mr. Trump’s policies, to be sure — but they are also the Republican party’s beliefs and platform. Don’t take my word for it. Look at the congressional record. Look at the decisions of the partisan justices appointed to the federal courts. Look at recent legislation in the states with Republican control.
So listen to our debate tonight. Help us pick the best policies and the best candidate to carry them forward. But do not forget that in a few short months you will be choosing between a Democratic vision for America that works for everyone, or a Republican vision that benefits the wealthy, and only the wealthy. I pledge my full support to the eventual Democratic candidate and call on my colleagues here tonight to do the same.