Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden were crowned the winners of the Democratic debate in Charleston by a poll taken of party-voting viewers.
The CBS News poll said he had made 'the best case to beat Donald Trump,' with 26 per cent naming him compared to to 21 per cent for Joe Biden.
The poll - and a similar online poll by The Drudge Report - suggested Sanders, who is now favorite to become the party's candidate, kept the momentum up as he was attacked on all fronts by the six other presidential hopefuls on Tuesday night in Charleston before voters cast their ballots in the South Carolina primary.
Several pundits said Sanders, although hit with hard questions about his record on gun control, why he praised authoritarian socialist regimes and how he would pay for his expensive policies, was able to maintain a lead.
Biden was also praised for bouncing back, as he put his stakes on winning the African-American vote in diverse South Carolina.
Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden have been hailed as the winners of the Democratic debate in Charleston, while Elizabeth Warren and the night's moderators were deemed the losers
Popularity contests: Bernie Sanders secured victory by three different measures, with Mike Bloomberg in second place each time
Both men came top of the most tweeted about list, with social media engagement now seen as a crucial way of measuring impact on voters.
And despite a previous fiery performance in Charleston from Elizabeth Warren, the Massachusetts senator didn't do enough to put her on top, although she went after Mike Bloomberg over his NDAs with employees, accusing him of telling a staffer to 'kill it' when she told the former New York City mayor she was pregnant.
Also earning the loser status were the CBS moderators, including Norah O'Donnell and Gayle King, who struggled to rein in the candidates from shouting over one another and ignoring time limits. O'Donnell even tried to end the debate prematurely, forgetting they would come back after a commercial break.
BERNIE SANDERS: TOOK A BASH BUT WASN'T ENOUGH TO TAKE HIM OUT (WINNER)
Sanders took lots of the blows but also held his own when he got into shouting matches. When asked by a CBS moderator how he planned play for his plans, he responded coolly, 'How many hours do you have?'
CNN's political analyst Chris Cillizza said that if nothing changed during the debate, Sanders will 'emerge on March 4 with a very clear delegate lead', adding that 'nothing fundamental changed tonight'.
Politico's David Siders added: 'Sanders may have had the best night, functionally, since nobody hit him in a way that is likely to damage him.
'If Sanders had been bruised or Biden faltered, the trajectory of the race might have changed. Instead, Sanders and Biden head into the South Carolina primary largely where they were before, with the rest of the field falling in behind them.'
Vox said it would state the obvious and declare Sanders as the frontrunner, pointing out Sanders' double-digit lead in national polling.
Reporter Dylan Matthews added: 'So to win on Tuesday night, Sanders just needed to hold his own. And he did. Despite candidates lobbing both familiar (abolishing private insurance, past anti-gun control votes) and new (praising left-leaning dictators' social programs) attacks on him, Sanders didn't lose his cool, and his opponents were never able to really dig into him.'
JOE BIDEN: BOUNCED BACK (WINNER)
Joe Biden, who said he intends to win in South Carolina, blasted Sanders for voting against the Brady bill gun control measure, and referenced the Charleston church shootings
Although Biden only placed fourth in Drudge's report, earning 11.4 percent of the votes, many pundits are also hailing him as a winner.
Biden has called South Carolina his 'firewall,' even before his dismal finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire - putting all his hope on the diverse state.
And on Tuesday, Biden emphasized his affinity for issues dear to black voters and reminded them of his decades-long advocacy.
Overall, Biden's performance was steady when he most needed it and he expressed some confidence.
The Washington Post noted that Biden is currently 'the leading candidate in South Carolina' but did touch on his complaining about not getting enough time during the debate.
'Best debate performance yet from @JoeBiden — he's best when his back is against the wall,' wrote Jennifer Palmieri, former spokeswoman for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
MIKE BLOOMBERG: COULDN'T BOUNCE BACK (LOSER)
The good news for Bloomberg is this debate didn't go as badly as Las Vegas. The bad news is no one is grading on the curve.
He ceded prime target status to Sanders, but took his share of criticism. He still got scratched and occasionally came off as brittle.
Warren continued to be his nemesis, slamming him for funding Republican senators and for accusations that women at his company were mistreated. She brought up an allegation that Bloomberg had told a pregnant woman in his employ to 'kill it' - which Bloomberg heatedly denied.
Later, he tried to make a joke about how everyone else onstage should have been scared to show up 'after I did such a good job of beating them last week,' which fell flat.
CNN pundit Chris Cilizza offered a different version, suggesting it was Pete Buttigieg who was the best performer
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Warren had to make a difficult straddle at the debate - she wanted to spotlight her liberal positions to pry voters from front-runner Sanders, but she also had to make a pitch for why they should back her rather than him
ELIZABETH WARREN: SENATOR TARGETED SANDERS AND BLOOMBERG (LOSER)
Warren had to make a difficult straddle at the debate - she wanted to spotlight her liberal positions to pry voters from Sanders, but she also had to make a pitch for why they should back her rather than him.
She has been hesitant to fully voice her criticism of Sanders but leaned into it Tuesday night. 'Bernie's winning right now because the Democratic Party is a progressive party and progressive ideas are popular ideas,' she said.
Vox wrote: 'With the exception of a few minutes at the start of the debate, Warren failed to draw a distinction from Sanders.
'She attempted to make the point that she was just like Bernie, only better, because she could actually make her policies become reality. But she didn’t hammer home this argument or make it strenuously enough that it created a lasting effect.'
Warren also reprised her attacks on Bloomberg, which might not help her win votes, but clearly helps her raise money.
The debate featured chaotic exchanges where multiple candidates sought to talk over each other, with CBS moderators Norah O'Donnell and Gayle King losing all control of the discussion
THE MODERATORS: COULDN'T CONTROL THE CANDIDATES (LOSER)
The debate featured chaotic exchanges where multiple candidates sought to talk over each other, with CBS moderators Norah O'Donnell and Gayle King losing all control of the discussion about 40 minutes into the debate, either failing to referee or being completely ignored by the over-eager candidates.
CNN's Van Jones tweeted: 'Wayyyy too much time was wasted at tonight's #DemDebates on a bunch of guys yelling at each other over and over and over and over again. Do you agree?
Once the candidates wrapped up, O'Donnell tried to shut down the debate prematurely, but King had to quickly correct her, saying it wasn't quite over yet.
Vox compared the CBS team to substitute teachers, quipping: 'Did you ever have a substitute teacher who was so mild-mannered, and commanded so little natural respect and authority, that you and the rest of your middle school class quickly realized you could just shout him out until he agreed to just crawl behind his desk and read a book while you did whatever you wanted for 45 minutes?
'That’s basically what Tuesday night’s debate felt like, except for two full hours.'
WHO ARE THE 8 DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN 2020?
JOE BIDEN
Age on Inauguration Day 2021: 78
Entered race: April 25, 2019
Career: No current role. A University of Delaware and Syracuse Law graduate, he was first elected to Newcastle City Council in 1969, then won upset election to Senate in 1972, aged 29. Was talked out of quitting before being sworn in when his wife and daughter died in a car crash and served total of six terms. Chaired Judiciary Committee's notorious Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings. Ran for president in 1988, pulled out after plagiarism scandal, ran again in 2008, withdrew after placing fifth in the Iowa Caucuses. Tapped by Obama as his running mate and served two terms as vice president. Contemplated third run in 2016 but decided against it after his son died of brain cancer.
Family: Eldest of four siblings born to Joe Biden Sr. and Catherine Finnegan. First wife Neilia Hunter and their one-year-old daughter Naomi died in car crash which their two sons, Joseph 'Beau' and Robert Hunter survived. Married Jill Jacobs in 1976, with whom he has daughter Ashley. Beau died of brain cancer in 2015. Hunter's marriage to Kathleen Buhle, with whom he has three children, ended in 2016 when it emerged Hunter was in a relationship with Beau's widow Hallie, mother of their two children. Hunter admitted cocaine use; his estranged wife accused him of blowing their savings on drugs and prostitutes
Religion: Catholic
Views on key issues: Ultra-moderate who will emphasize bipartisan record. Will come under fire over record, having voted: to stop desegregation bussing in 1975; to overturn Roe v Wade in 1981; for now controversial 1994 Violent Crime Act; for 2003 Iraq War; and for banking deregulation. Says he is 'most progressive' Democrat. New positions include free college, tax reform, $15 minimum wage. No public position yet on Green New Deal and healthcare. Pro-gun control. Has already apologized to women who say he touched them inappropriately
Would make history as: Oldest person elected president
Slogan: Our Best Days Still Lie Ahead
MIKE BLOOMBERG
Age on Inauguration Day: 78
Entered race: November 24, 2019
Career: Currently multi-billionaire CEO of Bloomberg PL, the financial information firm he founded in 1981 and which remains a private company. Educated at Johns Hopkins and Harvard, he became a Wall Street trader at investment bank Salomon Brothers and was laid off in 1981, walking away with $10m in stock which he used to set up his own financial information firm, now one of the world's largest. Three times mayor of New York 2002 to 2013, running first as Republican then as independent; had to get term limits suspended for final term. Once flirted with running for mayor of London where he has a home; holds an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth. Has spent large amounts on philanthropy in line with his political views as well as on political campaigns
Family: Born in Brookline, MA, to first-generation Jewish immigrant parents whose own parents had fled Russia. Divorced wife of 18 years, Susan Brown-Meyer, in 1993; former couple have daughters Emma, who has a son with her former boyfriend, and Georgina, who has daughter Zelda with her husband Chris Fissora. The child has a portmanteau surname, Frissberg. Partner since 2000 is Diana Taylor, former New York state banking commissioner, 13 years his junior
Religion: Jewish
Views on key issues: Self-professed fiscal conservative, although painted as a Democratic moderate by other conservative groups. Opposed to Medicare for all. Social progressive who backed gay marriage early, but has flip-flopped on marijuana legalization, most recently opposing it.. Wants firm action on climate change. Fiercely in favor of gun control. As New York mayor banned smoking in public places and tried to outlaw large sugary drinks. Backs increased immigration. Apologized for his stop-and-frisk policing strategy as mayor
Would make history as: Oldest person elected president; first Jewish president; richest president ever; first New York mayor to become president
Slogan: Fighting For Our Future
PETE BUTTIGIEG
Age on Inauguration Day: 39
Entered race: Announced formation of exploratory committee January 23, 2019. Formally entered race April 14, 2019
Career: Currently mayor of Sound Bend, Indiana. Harvard grad and Rhodes scholar who got a second degree from Oxford before working as a McKinsey management consultant and being commissioned as a Navy Reserve intelligence officer. Elected South Bend mayor in 2011 and served in combat in 2013, won re-election in 2015
Family: Came out as gay during second mayoral run and married husband Chasten Glezman, a middle school teacher in 2018. Parents were University of Notre Dame academics; his father was Maltese-American. Surname is pronounced BOOT-edge-edge
Religion: Raised as a Catholic, now Episcopalian
Views on key issues: Has said Democratic party needs a 'fresh start'; wrote an essay in praise of Bernie Sanders aged 17; backed paid parental leave for city employees; other policies unknown
Would make history as: First openly gay and youngest-ever president. First veteran of post-World War II conflict
Slogan: A Fresh Start For America
TULSI GABBARD
Age on Inauguration Day: 39
Entered race: Still to formally file any papers but said she would run on January 11 2019
Career: Currently Hawaii congresswoman. Born on American Samoa, a territory. Raised largely in Hawaii, she co-founded an environmental non-profit with her father as a teenager and was elected to the State Legislature aged 21, its youngest member in history. Enlisted in the National Guard and served two tours, one in Iraq 2004-2006, then as an officer in Kuwait in 2009. Ran for Honolulu City Council in 2011, and House of Representatives in 2012
Family: Married to her second husband, Abraham Williams, a cinematographer since 2015. First marriage to childhood sweetheart Eduardo Tamayo in 2002 ended in 2006. Father Mike Gabbard is a Democratic Hawaii state senator, mother Carol Porter runs a non-profit.
Religion: Hindu
Views on key issues: Has apologized for anti-abortion and anti-gay marriage views; wants marijuana federally legalized; opposed to most U.S. foreign interventions; backs $15 minimum wage and universal health care; was the second elected Democrat to meet Trump after his 2016 victory
Would make history as: First female, Hindu and Samoan-American president; youngest president ever
Slogan: Lead with Love
AMY KLOBUCHAR
Age on Inauguration Day: 60
Entered race: Announced candidacy February 10, 2019 at snow-drenched rally in her native Minneapolis
Career: Currently Minnesota senator. Yale and University of Chicago law graduate who became a corporate lawyer. First ran unsuccessfully for office in 1994 as Hennepin, MI, county attorney, and won same race in 1998, then in 2002, without opposition. Ran for Senate in 2006 and won 58-38; re-elected in 2012 and 2018
Family: Married to John Bessler, law professor at University of Baltimore and expert on capital punishment. Daughter Abigail Bessler, 23, works fora Democratic member of New York City council. Father Jim, 90, was a veteran newspaper columnist who has written a memoir of how his alcoholism hurt his family; mom Rose is a retired grade school teacher
Religion: Congregationalist (United Church of Christ)
Views on key issues: Seen as a mainstream liberal: says she wants 'universal health care' but has not spelled out how; pro-gun control; pro-choice; backs $15 minimum wage; no public statements on federal marijuana legalization; has backed pro-Israel law banning the 'boycott, divestment and sanctions' movement; spoke out against abolishing ICE
Would make history as: First female president
Slogan: Let's Get To Work
BERNIE SANDERS
Age on Inauguration Day: 79
Entered race: Sources said on January 25, 2019, that he would form exploratory committee. Officially announced February 19
Career: Currently Vermont senator. Student civil rights and anti-Vietnam activist who moved to Vermont and worked as a carpenter and radical film-maker. Serial failed political candidate in the 1970s, he ran as a socialist for mayor of Burlington in 1980 and served two terms ending in 1989, and win a seat in Congress as an independent in 1990. Ran for Senate in 2006 elections as an independent with Democratic endorsement and won third term in 2018. Challenged Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination in 2016 but lost. Campaign has since been hit by allegations of sexual harassment - for which he has apologized - and criticized for its 'Bernie bro' culture
Family: Born to a Jewish immigrant father and the daughter of Jewish immigrant parents in Brooklyn, New York. First marriage to college sweetheart Deborah Shiling Messing in 1964 ended in divorce in 1966; had son Levi in 1969 with then girlfriend Susan Cambell Mott. Married Jone O'Meara in 1988 and considers her three children, all adults, his own. The couple have seven grandchildren. His older brother Larry is a former Green Party councilor in Oxfordshire, England.
Religion: Secular Jewish
Views on key issues: Openly socialist and standard bearer for the Democratic party's left-turn. Wants federal $15 minimum wage; banks broken up; union membership encouraged; free college tuition; universal health care; re-distributive taxation; he opposed Iraq War and also U.S. leading the fight against ISIS and wants troops largely out of Afghanistan and the Middle East
Would make history as: Oldest person elected president; first Jewish president
Slogan: Not me. Us.
TOM STEYER
Age on Inauguration Day 2021: 63
Entered race: July 9, 2019
Career: Currently retired. New York-born to wealthy family, he was educated at elite Phillips Exeter Academy, and Yale, then Stanford Business School. Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs banker who founded his own hedge fund in 1986 and made himself a billionaire; investments included subprime lenders, private prisons and coal mines. Stepped down in 2012 to focus on advocating for alternative energy. Longtime Democratic activist and donor who started campaign to impeach Trump in October 2017. Net worth of $1.6 billion has made him one of the Democrats' biggest single donors
Family: Married Kathryn Taylor in 1986; they have four adult children who have been told they will not inherit the bulk of his fortune. Announced last November he and his wife would live apart. Father Roy was a Nuremberg trials prosecutor
Religion: Episcopalian
Views on key issues: On the left of the field despite being a hedge fund tycoon. Backs single-payer health care, minimum wage rises and free public college. Previously spoke in favor of Bernie Sanders' agenda. Aggressive backer of climate change action, including ditching fossil fuels
Would make history as: Richest Democratic president ever
Slogan: Actions Speak Louder Than Words
ELIZABETH WARREN
Age on Inauguration Day: 71
Entered race: Set up exploratory committee December 31, 2018
Career: Currently Massachusetts senator. Law lecturer and academic who became an expert on bankruptcy law and tenured Harvard professor. Ran for Senate and won in 2012, defeating sitting Republican Scott Brown, held it in 2018 60% to 36%. Was short-listed to be Hillary's running mate and campaigned hard for her in 2016
Family: Twice-married mother of two and grandmother of three. First husband and father of her children was her high-school sweetheart. Second husband Bruce Mann is Harvard law professor. Daughter Amelia Tyagi and son Alex Warren have both been involved in her campaigns. Has controversially claimed Native American roots; DNA test suggested she is as little as 1,064th Native American
Religion: Raised Methodist, now described as Christian with no fixed church
Views on key issues: Was a registered Republican who voted for the party but registered as a Democrat in 1996. Pro: higher taxes on rich; banking regulation; Dream Act path to citizenship for 'dreamers'; abortion and gay rights; campaign finance restrictions; and expansion of public provision of healthcare - although still to spell out exactly how that would happen. Against: U.S. presence in Afghanistan and Syria; liberalization of gambling
Would make history as: First female president
Slogan: Warren Has A Plan For That
