might, but she will have a good night tonight for one reason and that is we are here at texas southern university, a historally black university. kamala harris went to howard, also a prestigious black university. the crowd will be with her tonight, i think. jane: you will be watching for us. thank you indeed for joining us. fomore on what to watch out for, i'm joined by democratic strategist stephanie brown james. it is an interestingituation, as laura pointed out, where you guard in the league.t the old what is happening? >> people are looking for stabilityno and quantities and factors. that is what you invited and elizabeth warren -- invite and elizabeth warren. and same thing ws.h bernie sand while you have young votersho support cory booker those three top front runners gain traction not just wit older americans, but with younger americans as well. jane: but what does this say about the direction of the party? you have this pull to the left. is the left losing? stefanie: is that democrats want someone who can beat president truon in the elecnext year, but they also want someone who can provid

in fact, let's take a look at texas southern university where the abc democratic debate is getting under southern university, their health and pe center. i know it well. top ten democrats taking the stage for that big debate. >> you know who is very happy right now? this is his wheelhouse. george is right there in the hall. good morning again. >> it is. good morning, guys. michael, i have to say they know you well too. a lot of people saying hello to you and remember you so well here at texas southern university. just hours away from the debate. the candidates have been getting ready. they are all here now. they went behind stage last nit to take a look at the podiums and what they'd be seeing. tonight we've gun getting ready. president trump is paying attention. we could not be doing it here without the help of so many great students at texas southern university. nt to show you down on the stage right now, several of the runners helping us out all week long to build the set to get everything ready for us tonight and rich harris, i know you're right there in the middle with a big smile.

juan: last night's debate was held at texas southern university in houston.et's go to california senator kamala harris. >> i also want to talk about where we are here at tsu and what it means. i have as part of my proposal we will put $2 trillion in becauseg for teachers one, as a proud graduate of the historically black college and university, i will say that it is our hbcu that disproportionally produced teachers and those who serve in these many professions. but this is a critical point. if a black child has a black teacher before the end of third grade, they're 13% more likely to go to college. if that child has had two black teachers before the end of third grade, there are 32% likely to go to college. so when we talk about investing and our public education system, it is at the source of so much dish will we fix it that will fix of any other things? juan: she was a graduate of howard university. i want to ask again, rashad rorobinson, your response to her remarks? >> once e again, thiss is a recognition of the type of culture change that we are having i

. >> this took place at texas southern university, a historically black institution. >> we have systemic racism eroding our nation from health care to the criminal justice system. >> i want to turn to the deadly mass shootings. >> texas is still reeling from the deadly mass shootings in el paso and odessa, but many are fierce defenders of the second amendment. all were passionate that something needs to be done. ? >> i met a mother of a 15-year-old girl who was shot, and she watched her bleed to death over the course of a how much. there weren't enough ambulances to get to them in time. hell, yes, we're going to take your ar-15, your ak-47. we're not going to allow it to be used against americans anymore. >> people asked me in el paso, do you think trump is responsible for what happened? i said, will, look, obviously, he didn't pull the trigger, but he's certainly been tweeting out the ammunition. >> if you want action now, we've got to send a message to mitch mcconnell. we can't wait until one of us gets in the white house. we have to pass those bills right now. >> another issue front a

this is the practice court for texas southern university.'re going to have ten candidates plus their surrogates plus hundreds of media members in this rather small area. we'll see some fireworks in here as well, all of them trying to spin the night as if they won the event. it should be a lot of fun. we're looking forward to it getting going in a few minutes, guys. >> thank you so much, we appreciate it. >> it sounds like the nba all-star game festivities where everybody is squished together to try to do the interviews. tonight's debate starts at 5:00 right after we're done with abc 7 news at 4:00. then a special news of abc 7 news immediately following the debate right around 8:00 p.m. >>> the trump administration is rolling back one of the obama era's most sweeping environmental rules. the regulations being repealed by the epa's new boss provide federal protection to many u.s. wetlands and streams. president trump has promised to repeal the 2015 obama rule. farmers, home builders and other business interests say the rule has harmed economi

texas southern university is bracing for what could be a brawl tonight.the top ten democratically house contenders for one night on one stage with so much at stake. and many will be watching massachusetts senator elizabeth warren who has recently risen in the polls. >> how do you want to define yourself? >> i'm someone who will fight for your family. >> will she be willing to fight joe biden? she is still the clear frontrunner nationally and in the state of texas according to this recent poll. warren is ten points down there followed by bernie sanders tied by former texas congressman o'rourke. but biden is the guy that everyone needs to beat. his debate performance thus far has been uneven. >> i keep saying joe biden basically can't lose, and i think that he will take that same pact going into this debate not necessarily trying to strike the winning knock-out blow. just trying to exist and tread water. >> then there is a question of break-up. will someone from the back of the pack catch fire tonight? andrew yang has been building his own cult following in

texas southern university is bracing ifer what could be a brawl. the top democratic contenders were one night on one stage with so much at stake. many will be watching massachusetts senator elizabeth warren who has recently risen in the polls. >> how do you want to define yourself? will she willing to fight joe biden? bide season the guy that everyone needs to beat. his debate performances thus far have been unbelieva even. >> i keep saying that joe biden doesn't have to win. he just can't lose. he will take that same tact going into this depate not trying with the wimping knock- out goal but trying to tread water. >> there is the question with break-outs. will someone from the back of the pack catch fire tonight. andrew yang has been building his own cult rolling following including in crowd surfing moment. his twitter yesterday. two words for the debate stage tomorrow night. the trump campaign will have its own banner tonight. >>> there is a new cnn poll showing joe biden still leads the democratic candidates with 24% support but that is down 5%

the debate is here in texas at texas southern university, a historically black college that was foundedtill a segragated state. biden is out with a new campaign ad today before he takes the stage reminding everyone he was president barack obama's vp. >> i think we should step back and say something we don't stay enough as a party and as a nation. barack obama is an extraordinary man. [cheers and applause] reporter: sanders is also putting pressure on biden by targeting the oil and gas industry in texas. that is texas is number one producing state in the country for oil and gas. he is calling for a fracking ban. that is something biden hasn't called for. biden has taken a lot of heat for attending a fund-raiser hosted by founder of a natural gas company here in houston. harris and warren supported a fracking ban. the two texans on the stage, beto o'rourke and julian castro have not gone as far to support a all-out fracking ban. melissa. melissa: wow, those are some extreme policies. hillary vaughn thank you. connell: let's talk about it. the communications director for the national democ

texas southern university will host the event.un violence is expected to be a major topic of discussion. more than two dozen people were killed in two mass shootings in texas this summer. >>> richmond police searching for the suspect who shot and killed a former nfl player yesterday afternoon at fascination circle. family of 38-year-old terrell roberts says that he died at his grand more's home. no arrests have been made. >>> opening statements are said to be begin in a hurder trial involving a real estate heiress and alleged love triangle. tiffany lee and kaveh bayate are accused of killing the phaser li's children she feared losing custody battle over her dot glert people are scoter new asim sile um pot policy will take effect until the battle is rewill solved it bars asylum for those most migrants pass the country on their way to the u.s. >>> a pair the air alert is on the way while morningy starts off nice, the air is expected to get unhealthy. light winds and high temperatures means smoggy conditions later. . >>> and checking

>>texas southern university. la ciudad, divertida de la naciÓn. el profesorhernando colÓn navarro dice tener menos fe en los polÍticos. >> en un partido ha hecho nada. en este momento el congreso es demÓcrata. >> es dejen lugar que estarÁn visitando los candidatos tan pronto termine el debate porque se nos ha indicado que algunos de ellos participaran en un rally en la noche. >> maÑana se va a celebrar el tercer debate demÓcrata. estaremos transmitiendo con toda la cadena abc de houston. solamente quedarÁn 10 candidatos hablando de los temas que el mar se interesan a los hispanos unto eso es todo, buenas noches. >> muchos temas importantes maÑana. gracias, jorge. nos vemos nihan: [chista] [ríe] pero este globo reventó. y todos los secretos salieron a la luz. el matrimonio de mi padre es resultado de un engaño. mi madre a su vez engañó a su hermana y mi padre lo hizo con su novia. ajá. se cayeron las máscaras. ahora los veo claramente.

. >> announcer: live from texas southern university in houston, texas. here now, chief anchor george stephanopoulos. >> good evening and welcome to houston. we're live from texas southern university for tonight's democratic debate.e to ttere it's gnganonste, you them. cte set by the democratic national committee. at least ten others have not met the threshold. so, for the first time in this primary, a single debate in a single night with all the top candidates facing off. it is a critical test for the candidates and their campaigns at a critical time for our country. they're going to lay out their vision for the country, their records, their differences with president trump and each other. and we're going to do our best to bring you a lively, informative and civil debate. i'm joined here tonight by "world news tonight" anchor david muir, our national correspondent, linsey davis and jorge ramos from our partner network, univision. jorge? >> george, thank you very much. we appreciate the opportunity to welcome latinos across the country and to ask about lat

they met in houston on the campus of the historically black texas southern university.lso, the first in person face-off for front-runner joe

this debate is being held at texas southern university, a historically black college. senator harris went to howard, another veryus prestigiolack college. she may have a crowd on her site tonight. you have a question for the two texans, beto o'rourke and julian castro. throughbreak stand on gun control after the mass shootinghe in el paso? will do something oan says he presidential candidate has ever done on the stage. a lot to watch, fne. jane: can't wait. walaura trevelyan, thank you for joining us. a brief time ago i spoke to former democratic senator heidi haheitkamp, who is in houston. thank you for joininreme. you had tation for being a centrist. are you concerned that these tes are pulling the par too far to the left? ms. heitkamp, you know, i'm not, because there are people on the stage will represent policies that are in what i believe is lithe main of democratic cs and american politics. amy klobuchar is on the stage, joe biden is on the stage. ere will be people with a whole range ofwh ideas, but what is going to emerge as the prime idea and the prime motiva

stand-ins for all 10 participating candidates took the stage at texas southern university for a dry runas abc's mary bruce reports we'll have to wait and see if sparks fly between the front-runners. >> reporter: for the first time voters will be able to compare these two candidates side by side, standing right here will be joe biden. right here next to him, elizabeth warren. these two candidates have wildly different campaign styles and visions for the future. we'll be watching closely to see if they attack each other. with warren on the rise will biden take some shots at her? will the other candidates too, like bernie sanders? he and elizabeth warren share many of the same positions but so far they've declined to go after eachther. standing next to them will be kamala harris and pete buttigieg. they are looking for a boost. there's candidates on the wings are in need of a jolt too. >> our thanks to mary bruce there in houston with the rest of our team. abc is hosting the debate along with univision. join us tonight at 8:00 eastern right here on abc. we'll have a post-debate breakdown o

. >>> team coverage begins with the nicole on the big moments at texas southern university.>> reporter: it was an animated debate at times and the gloves to come off. i did speak with a few top democrats and campaign officials including a member of kamala harris's team. they are pleased with tonight. former vice president joe biden was aggressive from the start. calling out his two closest competitors on their medicare for all plan. >>> nobody has yet said how much it is going to cost. the tax payer.>> reporter: bernie sanders punch back. >>> have to defend the fact that 500,000 americans are going bankrupt.>> reporter: healthcare is a top issue among democratic voters. the candidates tried to lay out their visions. >>> i propose medical care for all who want it.>>> that will bring down the cost of insurance. we make sure everybody gets covered by health care at the lowest possible cost.>> reporter: the candidates came together around the control. >>> i will fight this and bring a fight to the nra in the corporate gun lobby like they have never seen before. >> reporter: it was personal

michael adams chair of the political science department at texas southern university says the venue a historically black college presents an opportunity for the candidates. >> the candidates who actually speak to the progressive issues in terms of social justice issues, criminal justice reform, i think it will resonate with this particular audience. >> reporter: these tsu students say they want to hear substance, not just sound bites. >> we heard our parents speak about all the fancy words and we have got then but we want to see actual action. >> reporter: voters will be listening for action plans on two issues that resonate cross- country. but especially hit home here in texas. immigration and gun violence. two mass shootings have shaken the state in recent weeks. >> let's not just graze over gun control. we know that we need it. but let's see, like, how it's going to happen and that should be a first 100 days issue. >> reporter: climate change is also in focus. activists suspended themselves from a bridge shutting down the largest oil exporting channel in the country. the tsu studen

>> reporter: texas southern university in houston hosts the third debate.t's the first one confined to a single night. >> we at least know looking at that stage that the nominee will emerge from that group. >> reporter: tsu is a historically black university. dr. michael o. adams, chair of the political science department, says that will help shape tonight's debate. >> you have to talk about social justice. you have to talk about criminal justice reform. these are things that resonate and impact on this community. >> reporter: also expected to be front and center, gun violence. more than two dozen people were killed in two separate mass shootings in texas this summer. >> we need to have actual action and an actual plan -- >> reporter: these tsu debate students want to see candidates do more than offer just catchy sound bytes. >> we don't need somebody who's being all the smile and waves. we want somebody that's direct. >> people can see when candidates are deflecting the questions, and that has happened a lot. >> reporter: also a first, joe biden and elizab

that's partly why democrats are holding this debate here at texas southern university, a historicallyo show the diversity of texas. notjust black but also hispanic. democrats hope they could pick up this state, if not in 2020 then perhaps years to come. there was a close senate race between ted cruz and beto o'rourke, a candidate tonight, a former congressman from el paso. that's why texas, key to democrats' hopes of creating generational change in this country and cementing a new political coalition. laura trevelyan watching it all from us in houston, texas. thank you. let's take a look at some of the day's other news: the democrat—controlled housejudiciary committee in the us congress has voted to broaden its powers to investigate president trump. as you might imagine, the two parties didn't see eye to eye on the proceedings. the conduct under investigation poses a threat to our democracy. we have an obligation to respond to this thread and we are doing so. —— threat. most democrats hate this president. they've decided that he's guilty regardless of what the facts say, and so instea

. >>> now, the debate will be held at texas southern university which is a public and historically black university. >>> time is 4:33. happening today, president trump will tell us if he will support legislation in congress to expand background checks for gun buyers. reportedly, the president talked about it during a phonecall yesterday with both republican and democratic senators. president trump has been going back and forth on this issue after the recent mass shootings. er the washington post poll shows most of those that were surveyed support expanded background checks. >>> the supreme court is clearing the way for the trump administration's rule that limits the ability of people seeking asylum. now, the policy would deny asylum to people who pass through another country on the way to the u.s. unless they seek asylum in that country first. the high court is allowing the administration to oppose the policy while the legal challenge continues. >>> construction of the border fence along the u.s./mexican border has begun. in arizona, the barrier is a 30- foot tall fence that will be five

. >> reporter: texas southern university in houston host the third debate. it's the first one confined to a single night. >> we know looking at the stage the nominee will emerge he from that group. >> reporter: tsu is a historically black university. dr. adams chair of the political science department says that will help shape tonight's debate. >> you have to talk about social justice. you have to talk about criminal justice reform. and these are things that really resonate and impact this community. >> reporter: also expected to be front and center gun violence. more than 2 dozen people were killed in two mass shootings in texas this summer. >> we need to have actual action and actual plan. >> reporter: these tsu debates students want to see candidates do more than offer just catchy sound bites. >> we don't need somebody that's faking the funk or being the smile and waves. we want someone that's direct. >> people can see when candidates are deflecting and that happened a lot. >> reporter: also a debate first tonight, joe biden and elizabeth warren will face

former vice president joe biden is back at texas southern university friday to tour the historically k university that hosted thursday's debate, taking pictures with students. biden said he felt good about the debate. >> what i saw last night is fewer and fewer personal attacks. it was about, what do we do in the future? >> nobody came out of the pack and said something that catapulted them to be in the forefront. >> reporter: henry brady, dean of the school of public policy said he expects healthcare will likely remain a big topic in the next debate. senators bernie sanders and elizabeth warren pushing medicare for all without private insurance. biden pushing for adding a public option to obamacare. >> that is really more of a pragmatic difference than philosophical difference. every one of those candidates please america should do a much better job in the healthcare field. for mac he says biden will continue to push how to pay for programs. >> it is a legitimate question. >> reporter: brady says telephone us senator kamala harris and the rest of the pack have a challenge in trying t

. >>> and campaign 2020, 10 democrats squared off in the lengthy debate at texas southern university last night. >> health care was again a big focus like it was in the previous two debates as was guns. natalie brand is in houston with details on the debate last night. >> reporter: a feisty fight over health care kicked off the 3rd democratic presidential debate. >> nobody said how much it's going to cost. >> reporter: senators bernie sanders and elizabeth warren defensed medicare for all. >> under my legislation people will not go into financial ruin. >> i never met anybody who likes their health insurance company. >> reporter: more moderate candidates pushed back. >> a nonprofit choice that will bring down the cost of insurance. >> i am for barack and think the obama care worked. >> reporter: former housing secretary castro went after joe biden directly. . >> are you forgetting what you said two minutes ago. >> reporter: some on stage said the attack on the 76-year-old went too far. >> this is why presidential debates are unwatchable. >> reporter: the debate in houston was the firs

we are here at texas southern university, the crowd is building tonight. it will be a packed house this evening. ten places there for the candidates and all day long here, we have watched the candidates come in for their walk-through. front-runner joe biden, who will be center stage, checking out 'll bedium and the sta beknee ee rising the sanders. all three senders at the top of the pack. tonight, a lot of pressure on these candidates to break through, after labor day, millions back to school, back to work and back in the game with the race for 2020 now under way. abc's mary bruce tonight, right here in the hall. >> reporter: with just hours to go, former vice president joe biden taking in the debate stage. the stakes so high. no detail too small. biden's team even testing out neckties. his pre-debate message, a new campaign video tying himself to former president obama. >> i think we should step back and say something we don't often say enough as a party or as a nation. barack obama is an extraordinary man. >> reporter: tonight, for the first time, biden

the debate is underway the candidates are making their opening statements here on stage at texas southern university in used and yes you are of course right that the debates up until now have focused almost exclusively on domestic issues health care expanding. health care for people who don't have it. and or her tailing gun violence issues of that nature as well as economic inequality and the need for some fundamental restructuring in government and the economy all of that has been out there but i would be very surprised if there weren't them to change tonight i know that this domestic focus could be very frustrating for observers from overseas trying to.

so, let's take a wide shot of the stage here at texas southern university, where mary bruce is up on the stage where the candidates will be tomorrow night. and mary, the stakes could not be higher for all the candidates as they try to break out. >> reporter: yes, and david, for the first time, voters will be able to compare these two candidates side-by-side. standing right here will be joe biden and right here next to him will be elizabeth warren. these two candidates have wildly different campaign styles and visions for the future. we'll be watching closely to see if they attack each other. with warren on the rise, will biden take some shots at her? and will the other candidates, too, like bernie sanders? he and elizabeth warren share many of the same positions, but so far, they've declined to go after each other. now, standing next to them will be kamala harris and pete buttigieg. they are looking for a boost. while, david, these candidates on the wings, they are in need of a jolt, too. they're looking for that breakout moment, hoping to upend the race. david? >> all right, mary, y

d look at this, tonight, the stage is set at texas southern university, where all of the leading candidates will debate together for the first time, all on one night. i hope you'll join us. the entire abc news political team, that's thursday, 8:00 p.m. eastern, right here on abc. >>> in the meantime, next, to the news tonight, to those reports that a cia operative deep inside the kremlin and with access to vladimir putin was delivering secrets back to the u.s. and when the cia feared he was about to be exposed, they launched a daring mission to get him out alive. tonight, the kremlin is confirming the official did work there, but calling the report that he was a spy "pulp fiction." so, where is he now? here's abc's martha raddatz tonight. >> reporter: tonight, media reports tell an extraordinary tale. in 2016, at the height of russian interference into our elections, the cia reportedly had a russian telling us all about it. but that cia asset found himself in grave danger. the spy reportedly worked at this building in moscow, with access to the highest levels of the kremlin, the heart of vl

the winning, knockout blow, but just trying to tread water.>> that debate will be held at texas southern universityany debate watch parties planned for tonight across the bay area, including one at uc berkeley. the high school and business are teaming up for watch party in discussion with various members of the graduate program after the debate. it is in san francisco is hosting a watch parties well. minis is a restaurant as well as a political bus -- bookshop and political base on 16th street.>>> now to the number, former vice president joe biden still leads the democratic candidates with 24% support. that is down 5% since three weeks ago. senator elizabeth warren is in second place with 18% support. senator bernie sanders has 17%. california senator,, harris follows with a percent support, and south bend, indiana maher, pete buttigieg rounds out the top six. >>> president trump talked about background checks during a phone call yesterday with both republican and democratic senators. president trump has been going back and forth on that issue after the recent mass shooting. the washington post pol

we went to texas southern university to talk to people, mostly democrats who watched the debate live though -- association with obama. >> reporter: biden to the best? >> that is -- he did the best in terms of staying away from race. >> castro did great. kamala harris. >> reporter: who met the best showing? >> andrew yang. is talking about things no one else is talking about? he's talking ideas. rather than bickering and talking about donald trump. >> elizabeth warren did incredible and well. her surge keeps going. >> candidates talking to all of america, the difference between democrats running for president, the president currently in the white house. >> it was a better experience, the fact that it was a much smaller cupboard. >> a little sample from democrats. so much to talk about, everybody on stage. you want to hear them go after each other. we will talk to diners in houston, texas on "fox and friends". curious to hear what people made of last night's debate. this was the best so far. todd: enjoy your pies at the house of pies. jillian: 38 after the hour. some hotheads and heate

. >> final preparations are underway at the debate site at texas southern university.in the audience but there will be a big watch party on campus and a poll shows joe biden in the lead at 24% but that is down 5% since three weeks ago. elizabeth warren is in second place at 18%. senator bernie sanders is in third, 17%. followed by kamala harris at 8%. and pete buttigieg at 6%. >>> e frmount city council decided to build its first homeless navigation center on a lot behind city hall. it has been a controversial issue and ktvu's ann rubin reports, opponents are now considering legal action. >> reporter: after plenty of protests and lots of debate, a site for the first homeless navigation center has been chosen. the city council voted to put it here in the parking lot behind city hall. the homeless who already camp here say it will bring needed services to downtown. >> we all struggle without that because there are certain hours of the day where there is no restrooms open, we have showers we have to travel to get to. >> reporter: local business owners are frustrated with

this is time lapse video of the stage being assembled at texas southern university.e all the top-polling candidates will be on the same stage. and here are the candidate whose qualified. you can see there, joe biden, cory booker, pete buttigieg, kamala harris, bernie sanders, elizabeth warren and andrew yang. earlier today, abc 7 news askedd rick clyne what makes tomorrow's debate different. >> this is the first time you have all the top-ranking contenders on one stage at one time. there's only one night the democrats are debating and the first time after labor day when people start to dial in after summer. and the stage with joe biden and elizabeth warren has been coming for some time. finally, you'll begin to see it play out. i think it's going to be a central ish knsue in this democc race. chapter one gets written tomorrow night. >> and coverage begins after abc news at 4:00. we'll have a special edition of abc 7 news immediately following the debate. then catch "jeopardy" and ""wheel of fortune" ". >>> summer hanging on by its fingers. >> it's got us in its grips

out of the crowded democratic field qualified for the debate to be held on the campus of texas southern university. one of the black colleges and universities. underscoring how support from oofr can americans has solidified his league. a poll shows the vice president holds on a overwhelming advantage with black voters with 42% supporting him. just hours before the debate biden reminding voters of his loyalty to his partner in the white house, former president, barack obama. >> barack obama is an extraordinary man. >> reporter: the former vice president is clinging to his former boss. the most popular man inside the democratic party. the obama legacy will be on display and will be debated over on the debate stage. look at these proposals. medicare for all. taxes, other central issues. all of this is going to speak to as voters measure up which direction they want to democratic party to move into. all ten candidates tonight clearly have a major moment here in houston. >> certainly do. thank you very much. a reminder to hur viour viewers. we'll have full debate starting at 10:30 p.m. eastern right he

plus candidates who were at the starting line just 10 made the cut to reach the stage at texas southern universityn tonight, and for the first time the face-off among the front-runners, joe biden, elizabeth warren and bernie sanders taking center stage. you see the podium light up on your screen. biden standing between warren and sanders, nerve before on a get debate stage. a new chn cnn poll shows why bi continues to get a star spot. once again in first place among democratic voters with warren and sanders vying for second place. how will those taking up the plank, castro, klobuchar, turn heads their way this evening? turn to an expert for incite. mark alexander on the team who prepared then senator obama for the 2008 presidential debates, now dean at villanova university law school. great to have you back, and we task you to think of the top three things you'll watch for tonight. begin with your point about just the intensity really dialed up. >> right. thanks for having me on again, brooke. >> yeah. >> the intensity will be much higher tonight, as you mentioned you've got sanders, warren, biden

.>> the debate will be held at texas southern university, which is a public and historically black university. >>> there are many debate watch parties plan for tonight across the bay area. uc berkeley is hosting several of them, including one at the house -- at the haas school of business. mannys in san francisco is also hosting a watch party. manes is a restaurant as well as a political bookshop and they are saving event space on 16th street. supporters of each candidate will also host their own watch parties tonight. >>> a new cnm watch bowl says it joe biden leaves a democratic candidates with only 7% support. that is down 5% since the last survey three weeks ago. elizabeth warren is in second place at 18% with senator bernie sanders of 17%. harris at 8% and pete buttigieg rams out at 6%. start thank you for been with us. to make it is always fun to be here. >>> tonight, lotta people looking forward to see joe biden and elizabeth warren show the same stage for the first time. >> you will see two versions of what the democratic party has to offer. elizabeth warren says it is going to blow u

down here in texas, southern university, michael, you know it well. it's your alma mater, we're here in the health and education center but it's a little dressed up for tomorrow night's debate. take a look behind me. 3,000 strong will be watching tomorrow night. ten candidates on stage. the top ten candidates meeting face-to-face for the first time in a single night. that's tomorrow night at 8:00 and coming up here, our brand-new poll which shows where the race against president trump and some of these top democrats stand. some surprising results and more on that white house shake-up. >> we'll get back to you in a moment. proud moment for tsu. >> oh, yeah, go, tigers. that's right. >>> we'll get to that ahead, but first, we want to get to the breaking news overnight. at least 11 reported tornadoes hitting wyoming and south dakota. take a look at these images. this is sioux falls. a twister leaving a trail of destruction. ginger starts us off with the latest. good morning, ginger. >> and we are so fortunate, robin, that those images did not come with a

on the campus of texas southern university. largest historically black university in the country. the top ten candidates went head to head in the most anticipated match-up yet. and they didn't pull any punches. starting with that 2 by 4 that julian castro took to joe biden on health care. barack obama's vision was not to leave 10 million people uncovered. he wanted every single person in this country covered. my plan would do that. your plan would not. >> they do not have to buy in. they do not have to buy in. >> you just said that. you just said that two minutes ago. you just said two minutes ago that they would have to buy in. you said they would have to buy in. >> if you qualify for medicaid -- >> are you forgetting what you said two minutes ago? are you forgetting already what that accusation that they would have to buy in and it does appear to be incorrect. here's what biden actually said. >> my health care plan does significantly cut the cost of the largest out of pocket pay. it is $1,000. you would be able to get into an

ten candidates out of the crowded dem qualified for the debate to be head on the campus of texas southern universitytion's historically black colleges and universities. biden announcing the endorsement of 59 black legislators, solidifying his lead. the new poll shows the former vice president holds an overwhelming support by black voters, 42% supporting him. five times as much as warren and kamala harris. hours before the debate, biden remaining voters of his loyalty in the white house. former president barack obama. >> barack obama is an extraordinary man. >> reporter: now, it's know surprise that biden is still clinging tight to president obama. of course, he's the most popular democrat in the party, jake, you'll remember at the last debate in detroit it was the obama legacy that in fact was being debated. advisers to all of the campaigns are telling us they do not expect that to be quite as sharp. there was a lot of backlash on the debates of the obama legacy. jake, one thing that's clear, joe biden is bringing in his argument for strong electability. elizabeth warren is bringing her plans in. bo

>> first of all i'm at texas southern university.o let me say how excited i am to be here tonight for the debate. but i love the word game that ranking member collins desires to use. we are serious. this is an impeachment investigation. let me refresh your memory. the senate investigated for nine months before there were actual articles of impeachment. many investigations impeachment investigations preceded without a vote on the floor of the house. this is the indicting body. what we're saying to the american people is, that we are not in a witch hunt. we are not going after an individual. we are fact finders in a constitutional process that is an investigation leading to the articles of impeachment. i want the republicans to sit with us as americans in this impeachment investigation, which we will now have the strength of an investigation as we go to court, as we subpoena witnesses, to be able to tell the american people. >> so on that front, you are subpoenaing witnesses so if it is an impeachment proceeding, you are able to do mor

ahead of tonight where the 2020 candidates meet again at texas southern university, historically blackablished in 1946. but bernie sanders is not waiting for the debate tonight to take on the front-runner. sanders tweeting out a clip from her campaign hosted podcast that says his plan will spend 10 times more on climate change than joe biden's plan will. he is targeting the oil and natural gas industry. texas is the number one producing oil and natural gas producing state in the country. sanders is blasting a a fracking process, quote, frack something dangerous to water supply, air we breathe, causes earthquakes and explosive. to avert a climate crisis we must ban fracking. warren is for all-out fracking ban. she is teasing a new policy to expand social security, promising people who get social security benefits $200 more every month. she will pay for this by asking top 2% of families to contribute 14% of their net investment income to social security. biden took a shot at candidates like warren who roll out a lot of plans saying, that it is great to have a plan but you have a way to e

away from the obama legacy like in the last match, the audience at the historically black texas southern university saw democrats embrace the former president, especially on health care. >> we all owe a huge debt to president obama, who fundamentally transformed health care in america. >> what i favor is something that what barack obama wanted to do from the very beginning, and that is a public option. >> i want to give credit first to barack obama for really bringing us this far. >> and of course, we owe a debt of gratitude to president barack obama. >> i'm fulfilling a legacy of barack obama and you're not. >> i stand with barack obama all eight years. good, bad, and indifferent. that's where i stand. >> you heard the start of it there, former housing secretary julian castro and former vice president joe biden clashing over health care last night, in an exchange that drew attention for perhaps some plying and attack on biden's age and memory. >> the difference between what i support and what you support, vice president biden, is that you require them to opt in, and i would not require them to opt

face off against the front runner joe biden on the debate stage but before biden heads to texas southern university, he's out with a new campaign ads reminding everyone that he was president barack obama's vice president. >> step back and say something we don't often say as partners as the nation. barack obama is an extraordinary man. >> sanders is also ramping up the pressure on biden by targeting the oil and gas industry on twitter ahead of the debate tonight. obviously, texas the number one producer of oil and gas in the country. sanders wants to band fracking and so does senator kamala harris but biden has not gone that far. also the other two texans on the stage julian castro and beto o'rourke also have not supported a total fracking band. neil. >> neil: flawless with that noise behind you that could either be a mower or airplane, but nice job. in the middle of that big debate tonight. meanwhile former texas graham says if she gets her way, the nation's economy will get the shaft. joining us right now, senator, are you worried about this? >> well, i'm worried about the impact that it's going t

ten candidates squared off last night in a lengthy debate at texas southern university. health care was a big focus like it was in the previous two debates. . >> people will not go into financial ruin. >> i never met anybody who likes their health insurance company. . >> senators sanders and warren defended medicare for all while more moderate candidates pushed back. former housing secretary julian castro attacked joe biden directly. . >> i do not have to buy. >> you said that two minutes ago. you said two minutes ago they would have to buy in. you said they would have to buy in. >> if you. >> are you forgetting what you said 2 minutes ago? >> now some on the stage said the attack on the 76-year-old former vice president went too far. the debate was the first one since more than 2 dozen people were killed in mass shootings in texas making gun control another topic at the forefront of the debate. . >>> yes we will take your ak47 and ar15 and we won't allow it to be used against a fellow american anymore. >> and the first primary contests are less than 5 months away. >> so

texas southern university will host the event choosing a a historically black institution could helppe the debate. >> you have to talk about social justice, you have to talk about criminal justice reform. these are things that really resonate and impact on this community. >> gun violence is also expected to be a major topic of discussion. more than 2 dozen people were killed in two mass shootings in texas this summer. >>> a live look from washington, d.c. this morning where house law makers are poised to make their first official vote in the impeachment process today. theyth democratic led house judiciary committee will vote on parameters for the investigation that will set ground rules for protension hearings. the committee is looking into a range of topics, including russian election interference, and hush money payments to women who said they had affairs with president trump. lawmakers are expected to look into whether foreign payments to the president's businesses violated the constitution. >>> this morning, the supreme court is allowing the trump administration to enforce the to

and then for him to say that on the stage at texas southern university which is a historically black college which shameless plug, i did the commencement speech this spring, i am just -- i just don't know if he's not listening to his black advisers because he has them. >> sure. sanders is one. >> a good sister friend of mine. i know that simone would not have encouraged him to give that answer. and want him to really come to terms with the fact that things are different from when he started in politics, he's been in politics a long time. even different from when he served as vice president for both terms for barack obama, it is a different day and age and it is required -- it is incumbent upon him to have a black agenda and the reason why 52% of the respondents to the black census by the black futures lab say they don't think politicians care about black people. >> what do you think of that answer? >> i think angela raises important points. he didn't answer the question. it is an important one that he should answer. he does need to have a black agenda. he can't just rely on being a f

with nicolle wallace, the third democratic primary debate has just wrapped up at houston's texas southern universityong the largest historically black colleges and universities in our nation. tonight was the first debate as you know with this crowded election cycle in which all ten top contenders shared one stage. it meant that front and center were joe biden, elizabeth warren, and bernie sanders finally facing off for the first time in a showdown on the most important issue to democratic voters. among the most divisive topics of the evening, in fact, was health care. more on that in a moment, but first, the night got underway with senator kamala harris speaking directly to one viewer. >> here's what you don't get, what you don't get is that the american people are so much better than this, and we know that the vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us, regardless of our race, where we live, or the party with which we're registered to vote, and i plan on focusing on our common issues, our common hopes and desires, and in that way unifying our country, winning this electi

>> well, this campus of texas southern university is going to see a unique debate.st of all, let's look at those ten candidates leading the poll. our first time with a single te. as you see in that lineup, there mee five senators, three , and two texans in the debate, but i think the focus will be on the center of the stage. this will be first time that former vice president joe biden will be on stage with elabeth warren, the senator from massachusetts, and amna, she clearly has been gaining the most in polls in the last months i can tell you from talking to voters here in houston, there is a sense of excitement about r that you don't hear about joe biden. the biden campaign told us todae theyoing to try and make the case that while elizabeth has many policy s, the key is to try to implement them. they will say he's the man to carry out those ideas. now, one other presidente h, at least above me right now, president trump. there is an airplane, you might hear it circling around thisha debate says "vote trump 2020." so he is still present here. it's something as the

. >> the hardwood at texas southern university in houston has been transformed into a made for tv debatesident joe biden flanked by senators bernie sanders and elizabeth warren. all three sharing the stage for the first time. >> and abc news is hosting the debate in partnership with univision, so tune into that thursday, 8:00 p.m. eastern, right here on abc. >>> millions of people across the country today will take part in services marking the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. >> new york's tribute in light will rise into the sky tonight honoring the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives that day. and a ceremony will be held at the rebuilt world trade center site. the nas of all those killed there will be read individually. the president will attend a ceremony at the pentagon after participating in a moment of silence at the white house. vice president pence will be at a memorial honoring those who died near shanksville, pennsylvania. we'll have more about a special tribute to 9/11 victims later this half hour. >>> the economy may be strong but more and more people don't

the debate is underway the candidates are making their opening statements here on stage at texas southern university in euston and yes you are of course right that the debates up until now have focused almost exclusively on domestic issues health care expanding health care for people who don't have it. and ending her tailing gun violence issues of that nature as well as economic inequality and the need for some fundamental restructuring in government and the economy all of that has been out there but i would be very surprised if there weren't them to change tonight i know that this domestic focus could be very frustrating for observers from overseas trying to figure out what the next possible president the united states might do it and also for viewers of al-jazeera english or very interested in american foreign policy but given what's happened just in the last short period of time with the president president from firing his national security advisor john bolton and throwing the whole national security and foreign policy process into disarray the ongoing trade war with china a very important intern