Debate "Housekeeping" (06:12)

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Moderator John Donvan frames the debate on whether the Democratic Party should champion a specific set of policies as a human right and introduces the panelists.

Opening Statement For: Jeff Weaver (05:14)

Senior political adviser to Senator Bernie Sanders, Weaver explains how President Donald Trump is polarizing the population. The Democratic Party originated with the New Deal. All our Western European Countries have nationalized medical care.

Opening Statement Against: Jonathan Cowan (06:29)

Co-founder and President of Third Way, Cowan explains that the Democratic Party will not regain the White House if it embraces populist ideas. Populists who embraced Bernie Sanders ideas had a 39% win rate in mid-term elections. Democrats who chose moderate nominees who fit their districts were best poised to win the general elections.

Opening Statement For: Karine Jean-Pierre (06:21)

Senior adviser and national spokesperson for MoveOn.org, Jean-Pierre explains that President Trump chooses to divide the country using race, religion, immigration status, and gender. Examples of progressive populism solutions include Medicare for all, universal childcare, affordable homeownership, the auto bailout, and debt-free college.

Opening Statement Against: Steven Rattner (05:53)

Chairman and CEO of Willett Advisors and former counselor to the Secretary of the Treasury, Rattner explains that he believes the tax system favors the rich and income inequality must be addressed. Endorsing policy ideas that are unaffordable or make little economic sense does not benefit the Democratic Party. President Trump will win again if we nominate someone out of touch with mainstream society.

Democrats Need to Have Moderates (09:42)

Donvan summarizes opening statements. Weaver explains that populism appeals to working-class voters in red states. Cowan counters that Sander's ideas will not win elections.

Beating Donald Trump (07:12)

Panelists argue whether a moderate Democrat or a populist is best poised to win the White House. In 2013, Voter ID laws were created across the country. Cowan notes that Democrats did not create ads discussing Medicare for all.

Exciting Americans (04:01)

Rattner describes how Trump ran on an excellent slogan and why people want a change after eight years. Experts debate whether voters who receive healthcare from their employers will support Medicare for all. Half of millennial's are independent voters.

Q/A: Foreign Policy and Defense Spending (08:25)

Weaver discusses the rise of ultra-right nationalism erupting around the world. Jean-Pierre explains that people of color were not inspired to vote for Hilary Clinton. Cowan clarifies that the debate motion.

Trump's Characterization of the Democrat Party (03:58)

Cowan explains that Trump's greatest fear is running against a Bill Clinton or Barack Obama. Jean-Pierre describes how Conor Lamb won in the Pennsylvania 18, a red congressional district.

Q/A: Tax Increase for Medicare for All (03:19)

Weaver cites a recent report that demonstrated how aggregate health care spending would lower substantially if the country adopted Medicare for all. Rattner describes how workers with health insurance from their employers will not vote for a government-based program.

Q/A: A Third Political Party (03:02)

Cowan explains how political parties need to build a winning coalition in order to win elections. Jean-Pierre wants a more inclusive multi-racial coalition.

Q/A: Winning Independent Votes (04:44)

Weaver describes how free college tuition is the key to winning back Democrats who left the party. Rattner explains that many individuals do not espouse the same beliefs as the populists.

Concluding Statement For: Weaver (01:16)

Democrats need to create a coalition that can beat Trumpism. Conservative Democrats have wrecked the party and lost voters.

Concluding Statement Against: Cowan (02:37)

Cowan does not want to see Trump reelected. Kara Eastman, a populist, lost her election. Democrats cannot win elections using socialist ideas and candidates.

Concluding Statement For: Jean-Pierre (02:10)

Jean-Pierre discusses how MoveOn members form a large portion of the Democratic base and cites examples of their concerns.

Concluding Statement Against: Rattner (01:48)

Rattner commends his opponents for their passion and commitment to the Democratic cause. The policies of the far left are not fiscally responsible and will not improve the economy.

Time to Vote (01:38)

Donvan compliments panelists on their conduct and instructs the audience to vote. The debaters discuss who should be leading the party in 2020.

Audience Vote Results (00:58)

Pre-Debate - For: 33% - Against: 40% - Undecided: 27% Post-Debate - For: 22% - Against: 74% - Undecided: 4%

Credits: Progressive Populism Will Save the Democratic Party: A Debate (00:09)

Credits: Progressive Populism Will Save the Democratic Party: A Debate