'Want To Vote For Someone Viable': Undecided Voters Watch Democratic Debate From CBS4
DENVER (CBS4) - Tuesday night's Democratic presidential debate in South Carolina on CBS News influenced some undecided voters in Colorado. They were invited to watch the debate from CBS4's building in downtown Denver and share their reactions.
If they are any indication, this election will come down to electibility more than ideology.
The five voters who came to CBS4 Tuesday come from a diverse background including in terms of how progressive they are.
PHOTO GALLERY: CBS News 2020 Democratic Presidential Debate
For the most part, the voters knew where the candidates stood on the issues coming into the debate. They wanted to see how they defended their positions and responded under pressure, how they might hold up if they went toe-to-toe with President Donald Trump.
There was a heated exchange during the debate between Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders that was memorable for two undecided voters, but for different reasons.
For Thomas Davidson, a Democrat from Summit County, he thought it showed that Sanders can hold his ground.
"I think that Bernie has done a remarkably good job of defending himself tonight. And I think that in that exchange that we were just talking about, you know, Bernie did a really good job of talking about the issues that are so important to so many Americans," said Davidson.
Camryn Torres, an unaffiliated voter from Denver, went from leaning Sanders coming into the debate to leaning Elizabeth Warren, pointing to combative moments just like that exchange.
"It was seeing how flustered he was getting in that moment, and if I can call your bluff that easily..." said Torres.
Warren seemed to make an impression with the undecided voters watching the debate.
"I think she's a bulldog," said Dave Martinez, a Democrat from Denver.
He said he started watching the debate supporting anyone but Sanders and ended leaning towards Warren. He said it's all about electability.
"She fights for what she believes in, she stands up for herself, and she's not going to let people push her around," said Martinez.
The debate also put the spotlight on Mike Bloomberg, and not always in a good way in the opinion of the undecided group of voters.
"I want to vote for someone who is viable. So I will watch the results on Saturday in South Carolina," said undecided voter Rosemary Rodriguez.
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