2020 Democrat contenders take stage for 1st debate

Miami, June 27 (IANS) Ten Democratic contenders for the 2020 US presidential election took the stage here for the party's first primary debate, a two-night event scheduled to be attended by 10 others on Thursday.Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, former Texas congressman Beto O'Rourke, and Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey were among the first group of participants who have garnered the most support in polls, reports Xinhua news agency.They were joined by Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, former Maryland Congressman John Delaney, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, and Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan.According to new debate rules, each candidate will have 60 seconds to reply to questions asked by moderators and 30 seconds for rebuttals.There were no opening statements, but each candidate will have one minute for a closing statement.
--IANS ksk