we'll turn the lights on ♪ [cheers and applause] tonight, democratic showdown. taking aim at the front runner. >> you do nothing to hold the insurance companies to task. >> there's a thing in my community. you're dipping into the 't even know the flavor. >> fighting to win hearts, minds and votes. we're on the ground in michigan with the diverse and sometimes divided voters in this key battleground state. plus, maryann who? she's most-googled candidate in the debates. >> if you think any of this wonkiness is going to deal with this dark, psychic force. >> what's behind her unconventional message? we're one on one with the one-time spiritual confidante to oprah, now running four president.

and team of warriors, big and small, on the field, playing with hearts of gold. but first the "nightline" five. number

good evening, and thanks so much for joining us. the gloves were off at ghs democratic debate. for some it was a night of

rematches. for others a night to finally shine. the presidential contenders duking it out in michigan. a key state that narrowly swung to president trump's favor in the 2016 election. now the winners, losers and the voters. >> reporter: as democrats face off in the battle ground state of michigan. >> i do know. and i wrote the damn bill. >> reporter: we're with voters across the state from a watch party. >> that's why i like bernie. >> reporter: to the neighborhood bowling alley. >> i would like to see a woman president. i like elizabeth warren. >> reporter: even a local bakery. >> the only way we can win this election as democrats is if young people vote. >> reporter: their vote packs an extra punch. michigan is a make or break staten the house. with this in ds. >>ou think democrats win when

you run on real solutions, not impossible promises. >> you know, i don't understand why anybody goes to all the trouble of running for president of the united states, just to talk about what we really can't do and shouldn't fight for. >> reporter: tonight, vice president joe biden flanked on stage by senators kamala harris and corey booker, and taking on issues like crime. >> there is nothing done for the entire eight years he was mayor. there's nothing done to deal with the police department that was corrupt. why did you announce on the first day a zero tolerance policy of stop and frisk and hire rudy giuliani's guy in 2007, when i was trying to get rid of the crack cocaine. >> mr. vice president, there's a saying in my community, you're dipping into the kool-aid and you don't even know the flavor. >> reporter: and once again, the contentious issue of public busing. >> when vice president biden was in the united states senate working with segregationists to

oppose busing, which was the vehicle by which we would integrate america's public schools, had i been in the united states senate at that time, i would have been completely on the other side of the aisle. and let's be clear about this. had those segregationists their way, i would not be a member of the united states senate, cory booker would not be a member of the united states senate, and barack obama would not have been in the position to nominate him to the title he now holds. >> when senator harris, who was the attorney general for eight years in the state of california, there were two of the most segregated school districts in the country, in los angeles, and in san francisco. and she did not, i didn't see a single, solitary time she brought a case against them to desegregate -- >> that is simply not true. >> that's all. >> reporter: some of these presidential candidates left the debate stage and headed just miles up the road to macomb county, a swing county in every sense. in 2016, it was macomb that mt

entire state. >> we ve for obama twice. that made me proud of this country. voting for trump, people didn't real lit know which w really know which way to go. >> reporter: ever since trump got elected there are certain topics he won't bring up. >> we don't talk politics. it's best not to. we'd be screaming at each other. >> reporter: he's lived in michigan his entire life and has seen the very auto plants that once sustained him and his family shuttered. >> the union and middle class built theis country. you take away from them, you're hurting everybody. >> reporter: this week a gm plant in warren will close its doors. one of five to close by the end of the year. donna goodwin guy represents the workers. >> it started hitting me last week. because i had to walk the floor

and say good luck to my family. we've been together for over 30 years. and that was one of the hardest things that i've had to do. >> reporter: one of those displaced workers, regina dooley, has a message for the politicians on the debate stage. >> don't tell me. show me. show me. because everybody's telling me to dream, but live up to what you're saying. >> reporter: in michigan, the economy isn't the only issue taking center stage. candidates uniting against the president over the nation's rags divide. >> how do you convince primarymy voters that you'd be the best nominee to take on president trump and heal the racial divide. >> we'll talk about it for what it is and talk about the consequences. it doesn't help the sensibilities to say send her back about a member of congress because she's a woman of color,

because she's a muslim american. it is also changing this country. >> reporter: minutes away from the fox theater is dearborn, michigan, one of the largest muslim populations in the united states. >> close knit, homey feeling that you can't get anywhere >> reporter: yasmin is one of the voices behind dearborn girl, a podcast for muslim women. they say it's important to use their platform to discuss politics and identity. >> it's very ironic. people ask, how do you as a muslim woman feel this old, white, he listens. >> reporter: yasmin, a self-proclaimed politics junkie attended both nights of the

debate. >> we have to take on trump's racism, his sexism, xenophobia and come together. >> we need to call out white supremacy for what it is, domestic terrorism. and it poses a threat to the united states of america. >> there have been positive consequences of having this man as president in that people are starting to be more aware of that. >> but he didn't invent racism. >> 100%. >> he just gave racism a mainstream platform. >> my favorite parts of what america is today are on the backs of black people and immigrants. >> what does it mean to be american. and it's constantly being questioned. >> reporter: immigration another hot button issue with the former vice president disagreeing with julian castro on illegal border crossings. >> if in fact you say you can just cross the border, what do you say to all those people around the world who in fact want the same thing to come to the united states and make their case that they don't, that they

have to wait in line? >> mr. vice president, it looks like one of us has learned the lessons of the past and one of us hasn't. let me begin by telling you -- >> reporter: it's a personal issue for these young women. they were born here, but almost all of their parents immigrated from lebanon. >> if you talk to anyone in dearborn, a big thing would be immigration. you look at your community being attacked, and you think about, who do i know that is going to be affected fwby their issue. >> obamacare is working. >> reporter: progressive policies like medicare for all were front and center on the debate stage. >> why do we have to be the party of taking something away from people. >> no, no. >> that's what they're returning on. they're running on telling half the country that your health insurance is illegal. >> let's be clear about their. we are the democrats. we are not about trying to take away health care from anyone. that's what the republicans are trying to do. >> i feel like the first half is just going to be like everyone

fighting about medicare for all. >> reporter: back in macomb county, right across from their trump-supporting neighbor, a group of proud democrats gathered to watch and grade the candidates. >> theis is why elizabeth is better than bernie. she can actually get personable. bernie isn't capable of being personable. >> health care is a privilege. >> it's going to make other people lazy. >> why should you get better health insurance because you have more money? that's immoral. why don't we stop worrying about what republicans will say. >> it is time to stop worrying about what the republicans will say. >> i feel like i just said that. that's why i love him. he gets it. >> they're going to say we're a bunch of crazy socialists. >> amen. >> if we embrace a conservative agenda, they're going to say we're a bunch of crazy socialists. >> amen. >> let's stand up for the right

policy, go out there and defend it. >> reporter: for these voters, falling in step with some candidates and out of step with others. >> this is why he has 0% in the polls. >> reporter: in a swing state where everyone knows every vote matters. >> abc news and univision will ohio the next department. if you've been googling marianne williamson, are you not the only one. we have the 411 on the most unconventional candidate. sheets. n, witr simply toss two sheets in the dryer to iron less. we dried one shirt without bounce, and an identical shirt using bounce. the bounce shirt has fewer wrinkles, less static, and more softness and freshness. for extra large or wrinkly loads, toss in three sheets. dermatologist tested bounce free and gentle is free of dyes and perfumes. bounce out wrinkles, bounce out static.

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like the feeling of movement as a new journey begins, or the sight of soft fur, warmed by the morning sun. you might remember new flavours, or a view that defies all expectations. these are the memories that stay with you, long after the moments have passed. fearches were votes, democratic presidential

candidate marianne williamson would be way ahead. a lot of people have been looking for more information on her after her debate performances, and you might not know much about her unless you caught our first interview with her back in february. here's marci gonzalez. >> this is part of the dark underbelly of american society. the racism, the bigotry, and the entire conversation that we're having here tonight. >> reporter: she spoke for just under nine minutes. roughly half of the airtime given to elizabeth warren and bernie sanders. but still, maryann williamson put her stamp on the bate. >> h some people yore docyou se something wrong about using the instruments of government to help people. >> reporter: her message at times may have been more cosmic than political. >> if you think any of this wonkiness is going to deal with this dark, psychic force of th h colle

collectivized hatred, i'm afraid that the democrats are going to see some very dark days. >> reporter: she seemed to have piqued the interest of the audience at home. before the debate began, bernie sanders was the number one searched candidate. but after, maryann williamson was on top. >> it was different t was new. >> reporter: and the republican party seemed to agree with donald trump jr. and lindsey graham saying she won the debate, though considered a long-shot candidate, polling at 1%, this marked a sizable leap forward for williamson after her performance during the first debate. >> so mr. president, if you're listening, i want you to hear me sha me, please. twit

e their heads. >> my plan is to >> reporter: this unconventional membering messaging is nothing new. >> you have to look at yourself, your own character defects, your own values, your own principles. >> reporter: she is revered for thoughts on forgiveness and personal growth. she skyrocketed to fame in 1992 with a spot on the oprah winfrey show. >> if my heart's not open, i don't download the possibility on earth as it is in heaven. >> i just got that in the biggest way. >> yeah. th >> that is really good, yeah. >> reporter: with seven "new york tim" s, inclin"a return to hundreds of speaking

engagements. she's guided her devout fan base for the past 35 years. >> miry aaryann is a strong, pol woman. through my transformation, i began to listen to her lectures, and that basically just transformed my life. >> reporter: we were there in january when williamson took to the same southern california stage where she's lectured for years to announce her candidacy. at what point did you think, i might run for president? >> it happened in a kind of moment, and it was one of those things where the idea just popped in. you know, i'm sure this is true of everyone who's running. you have to feel a deep calling to do this or you wouldn't take it on. i think what we need in the white house is more a visionary than just a political mechanic. the presidency is primarily a role of moral leadership. we need more than anything else in america today, we need a moral and spiritual awakening. >> reporter: what would you say to people who fear you may not have the grit for the highest office? >> experienced politicians have

led us through the greatest income inequality since 1929. we need to disenthrall ourselves from this mess merization that those who know how to run the car necessarily know where it should be driving. >> reporter: now she's taking her passionate case far beyond her fan base. she moved to iowa earlier this year to show her full commitment ahead of a crucial caucus. >> i think we have a much hands defeating donald trump in twu20. >> reporter: but in a crowded field, she'll need to distinguish herself as the race tightens. >> this is an all hands on deck type of moment. >> reporter: williamson is a progressive. her campa her stance on imgramigration, gun control and climate change but is focussed on this spiritual climate of america. >> there's a certain level of spiritual and moral rot that has led to political corruption that

has led to immeasurable human suffering. >> reporter: and she thinks president trump has brought us to a crossroad. >> i think president trump is the logical extension and embodiment of a problematic world view that has been with us for a long time. our political establishment made the businessman god. the desire in 2016 for change on the part of the american people was legitimate. the change agent we got is no change agent at all, except in the worst possible way. >> reporter: do you pray for president trump? >> i do pray for president trump. we're all innocent children of god. the world is not served by president trump being not in his best mind. and i think when you pray for someone you're praying that they be returned to their right mind. >> reporter: williamson is aware of just how unconventional her aspirations are. what kind of negative feedback have you heard so far? >> who is she? who does she think she is? she has no experience in government.

i'm a 66-year-old woman. i'll take on any of these people for the kind of experience i've had in my life that i think is relevant to what america needs today. >> reporter: she says she's taking the inner peace she's taught for years to heart as she prepares for the uphill battle ahead. how dutough is this going to be for you? >> i assume very tough at times. it's an emotional and psychological challenge as well as an organizational challenge and financial challenge. you have to raise so much money, but exciting to be part of the game, to be in there. i feel i'm where i should be. >> reporter: for "nightline," marci gonzalez in los angeles. next, the heroes hitting home runs with their can-do spirit. hey, guys! hi mrs. patterson...

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and finally tonight, a test of true sportsmanship. here's abc's david muir. muir. . >> you're going to make a w. >> reporter: he's just one of 17 coaches helping these children.

they are wounded warriors, helping 17 children here at camp. each with a disability and each of them with a hero to look up to. many of the children are missing a limb, and for some, it's the first time they're in the game. josh is a member of usa patriots, and they play hard. they want these children to know they can do it too. >> they deserve to be kids. so we bring them out, teach them how we've gotten through it, but we also learn from them, too. >> true inspirations to us all. that's "nightline" for tonight. you can catch our full episodes on hulu. good night, america.

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