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After months of campaigning, the five Democratic presidential candidates will go toe-to-toe on the national stage tonight at the Wynn Las Vegas.
The CNN Democratic debate marks the first public showdown between former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. It will also test whether the longshot candidates — former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb and former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee — have staying power with 13 months remaining until the November 2016 general election.
The top two candidates are expected to square off against each other, while those on the bottom tier will hope to introduce themselves to the voters. Issues will run the gamut, from Russian intervention in Syria to income inequality in the United States. One flub could doom a candidate — while one flash of glory could boost their chances.
So no matter which candidate you’re cheering for (if any), here’s what you need to know for tonight.
HILLARY IS STILL ON TOP
Despite the growing hype about Sanders, Clinton, 67, is still the party’s front-runner, holding a commanding lead in recently released Nevada polls. But she has a lot of work to do if she wants to keep it that way. With the ongoing tumult over her email server and many Democrats eager to back progressive challenger Sanders, Clinton is far from having closed her sale with voters.
She’s not as naturally charismatic as Barack Obama or Bill Clinton, but Hillary is an exceptionally gifted policy wonk. Expect her to detail her ideas on immigration (she's pro-reform), education (free community college) and energy (more government-backed solar).
SANDERS IS FEELING THE BERN
He’s loved by the party’s progressive wing for his attacks on income inequality and too big to fail financial institutions. But is Sanders a spoiler a la Ralph Nader or a kingslayer like Eugene McCarthy? We’ll begin to see the answer tonight, as the democratic socialist is expected to draw strong contrasts between himself and the frontrunner.
INTRODUCING THE LONGSHOTS
Of the three candidates polling way down at the bottom of the pack, O’Malley is the only one who’s made trips to Nevada to organize and rally support. The others — Chafee and Webb — haven’t made themselves known locally yet. For all of them, the strategy is simple: Get on the air as much as possible.
VP JOE IS A NO SHOW
While Vice President Joe Biden still could enter the race, don’t expect him to make a surprise cameo tonight in person. (Unless there’s some Siegfried-and-Roy-style magic, Biden will be watching from his home in Delaware.) But, debate organizers have set aside a podium for him just in case, and a decision from the VP could hinge on what happens tonight.
HOME FIELD HAS THE ADVANTAGE
The debate is a coming out party for Nevada, an early-voting, caucus state that’s increasingly in the national spotlight. Candidates vying to win the February caucus should prep for answering Nevada’s issues onstage. Whether it’s Yucca Mountain, clean energy, unions or immigration, a local mention could sway voters.
Kyle Roerink can be reached at 702-259-4061 or [email protected]. Follow Kyle on Twitter at twitter.com/@KyleRoerink1.
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