Democratic debate: Here's what the candidates said

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Thursday night's presidential debate among 10 Democratic candidates had some memorable sound bites and exchanges. Unlike Wednesday's first round of debates that included 10 other candidates, Thursday night's session had some sharp -- and at times contentious -- exchanges.

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Here's a sampling:

"America does not want to witness a food fight, they want to know how we’re gonna put food on their table.” 

-- Sen. Kamala Harris of California, trying to restore order between bickering candidates.

>> Democratic debates: 5 memorable moments

"I was 6 years old when a presidential candidate came to the California Democratic convention and said it's time to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans. That candidate was then-Sen. Joe Biden. Joe Biden was right when he said it was time to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans 32 years ago. He is still right today. If we are going to solve the issues of automation, pass the torch. If we are going to solve the issues of climate chaos, pass the torch.”

-- California Rep. Eric Swalwell, telling former Vice President Joe Biden that the time had come for older candidates to make way for a new generation of politicians.

"But, I also believe -- and it’s personal. And I -- was actually very -- It was hurtful to hear you talk about the reputations of two United States senators who built their reputations and career on segregation of race in this country. And it was not only that, but you also worked with them to oppose busing. And you know, there was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools and she was bused to school every day and that little girl was me. So, I will tell you that on this subject, it cannot be an intellectual debate among Democrats. We have to take it seriously. We have to act swiftly."

-- Sen. Kamala Harris, criticizing Biden about working with senators who favored segregation while he was a senator during the 1980s and 1990s.

“Imagine, we are in Florida, imagine the Parkland kids having as much power in our democracy as the Koch brothers or the NRA. Imagine their voices carrying farther and wider than anyone else because their voice is needed."

-- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, speaking on the need for swift gun control reform.

"When I see these kids at the border, I see my mom, because I know she sees herself because she was separated from her parents for years during the Holocaust in Poland.”

-- Sen. Michael Bennet, criticizing family separation at the border with his own personal story.

“I am determined to bring about a day when a white person driving a vehicle and a black person driving a vehicle, when they see a police officer approaching feels the exact same thing — a feeling not of fear, but of safety,”

-- South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, addressing to racial unrest in his Indiana city.

“If you think we are going to beat Donald Trump by just having all these plans, you've got another think coming,” she said, "He didn't win by saying he had plans. He won by simply saying, 'Let's make America great again.'"

-- Marianne Williamson, speaking about the health care plans of other Democratic candidates.

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