NPR

With Democratic Field In Flux, What To Watch For At The November Debate

Pete Buttigieg may face scrutiny after popping in the polls. Elizabeth Warren provided answers about her health care plan, and now she'll have to defend them. And is the field finally set?
Attacks on Pete Buttigieg may come into focus at this week's debate, as he has taken the top spot in an Iowa poll for the first time.

The Democratic presidential primary has taken a back seat to the impeachment inquiry over the past few months, so it's fitting that the fifth candidate debate will take place on the same day that the most anticipated impeachment witness, Ambassador to the EU Gordon Sondland, testifies before the House Intelligence Committee.

But a lot more than the path to impeachment has changed since the Democratic candidates last gathered on the debate stage.

New candidates have entered — and semi-entered — the race, though neither former Massachusetts Gov. nor former New York City Mayor will be in Wednesday's debate. South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg has taken Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren's place as

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