Third debate defined by health care, immigration and gun reform discussion

HOUSTON—The top ten ranking candidates went head-to-head Thursday night in a fiery debate for the first time on the same stage.

The fierce debate was largely defined by health care, immigration and gun reform.

Similar to the last two debates, front-runner former Vice President Joe Biden took some big hits.

Biden feuded right off the bat with liberal rivals, senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, about their Medicare-for-all plan.

Shortly after, San Antonio Mayor and former HUD Secretary Julian Castro took a risky stab at the former vice president for going back on something he had just said.

“Barack Obama’s vision was not to leave 10 million people uncovered. He wanted every single person covered. My plan would do that. Your plan would not,” Castro said.

“They do not have to buy in. they do not have to buy in,” Biden said.

“You just said that two minutes ago,” Castro said. “You said they would have to buy in. Are you forgetting what you said two minutes ago? Are you forgetting what you said just two minutes ago?”

The former vice president also took some heat from the moderators last night.

Univision anchor Jorge Ramos asked Biden if he did anything to prevent the millions of deportations under former President Barack Obama. Biden dodged the question.

Beto O’Rourke stood his ground when asked directly about gun control with perhaps the boldest answer on the stage Thursday night.

“Hell yes, we’re going take you AR-15, your AK-47. We’re not going to allow it to be used against our fellow Americans anymore,” O’Rourke said.

There’s still time left for more 2020 hopefuls to qualify for the October debate. Over 10 candidates have already qualified, so Thursday’s debate in Houston may be the last time that all candidates take the same debate stage.