2020 Democrats on Debating Trump
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The Questions
1. How would you handle a general-election debate against Trump?
2. Do you think the United States is a racist country?
3. Do you think the next administration will need to investigate President Trump or members of his family?
4. What attributes would you look for in a running mate?
5. Who is one foreign leader you admire?
6. What is the most important thing foreign leaders should know about you?
7. Do you see Saudi Arabia as a U.S. ally?
8. Does the United States have a role to play in Hong Kong?
9. What is the most urgent economic challenge facing the United States today?
10. By what year do you think the U.S. needs to cut its carbon emissions to zero?
11. Should vaping products be legal?
12. Would it be important to you to get Republican support for your agenda?
13. How would you judge whether your presidency was a success or a failure?
14. How would you make sure no one in your family tries to profit off your administration?
15. What is the last book you read?
16. Do you have a celebrity crush?
17. Do you have a bad habit?
18. What do you think your 18-year-old self would think of you now?
19. What has been the most memorable moment of the campaign for you, so far?
20. Do you think Barack Obama made any mistakes as president?
The Candidates We Interviewed Former vice president Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont declined to participate.
1. How would you handle a general-election debate against Trump?
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The Context
In interviews, Democratic voters often bring up general-election debates and how they imagine different candidates faring against President Trump. This question was intended to get the candidates to talk explicitly about how they would approach that challenge.
Michael R. Bloomberg
Former mayor of New York City, 77
"No. 1, don’t waste your time criticizing him and telling everybody what he’s done wrong."
Pete Buttigieg
Former mayor of South Bend, Ind., 38
“The key to dealing with President Trump in a debate is to deny him his ability to change the subject.”
Amy Klobuchar
Senator from Minnesota, 59
“The most important thing is to keep focusing on an optimistic economic agenda for this country because he is the king of distraction.”
Elizabeth Warren
Senator from Massachusetts, 70
“I'm not letting the guy get behind me. And I’m not backing off.”
Andrew Yang
Former tech executive, 45
“I would use humor, and defuse some of his more blatant misstatements and untruths.”