USVI NEWS at first democratic presidential debate

The first of 12 democratic debates gets underway Wednesday in Miami, FL at the Adrienne Arsht Performing Arts Center.

20 candidates will take the stage over two nights.

10 of them Wednesday, including Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker in what’s being called a make or break performance for some candidates.

The debate hall seats about 1,600 people. That is a relatively small number compared to the millions expected to watch at home over the two night debate.

The candidates have been prepping for some time now.

USVI NEWS actually spoke with Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar Tuesday at the airport on the D.C. and she said she’s been prepping for the last month or so.

That prep work will be condensed to just a few minutes for each candidate to answer questions and make their case. 

The 12 debates is double the number the democratic party held in 2016.

The debates are scheduled on weeknights, not weekends like four years ago.

With so many candidates in the field, they’ll need to separate themselves from one another.

Our correspondent Kellie Meyer is also here in Miami.