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Biden, Sanders, Warren Finally Square Off in Democratic Presidential Debate

Ken Bredemeier

   VOA's Russian Service contributed to this report.

   WASHINGTON -- The 10 leading U.S. Democratic presidential candidates
   are debating Thursday night, but the focus is likely to be on the three
   top-polling contenders -- former Vice President Joe Biden and Senators
   Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. The other seven will have to
   scramble to try to edge their way into the top tier of challengers.

   The nationally televised debate in Houston, Texas, is the third in a
   string of Democratic presidential debates ahead of next year's party
   election contests to pick a nominee to face President Donald Trump, the
   Republican incumbent trying to win a second White House term in the
   November 2020 national election.

   The three-hour debate is the first since late July. It also is only a
   single encounter this time on one night rather than two consecutive
   nights. Ten more trailing candidates failed to meet Democratic Party
   requirements to merit a spot on Thursday's debate stage -- campaign
   donations from at least 130,000 people and at least 2% support in four
   polls across the U.S. or in states with the earliest voting next year.

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