It was the final Democratic debate before the Iowa caucuses next month, and the leading candidates got a chance to speak directly to those who will be casting a vote.

Tuesday night's debate took place at Drake University in Iowa's capital of Des Moines.

It was the seventh debate of this campaign season, and it had the smallest field yet. The Democratic National Committee has been steadily raising the polling and fundraising thresholds needed to make each debate.

CNN hosted the debate in partnership with The Des Moines Register.

In a <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2020%2F01%2F15%2Fpolitics%2Fbernie-sanders-elizabeth-warren-debate-audio%2Findex.html" target="_blank">tense and dramatic exchange</a> moments after the debate, Warren accused Sanders of calling her a liar on national television. Sanders responded that it was Warren who called him a liar. Earlier in the debate, the two disagreed on whether Sanders told Warren, during a private dinner in 2018, that he didn't believe a woman could win the presidency.
In a tense and dramatic exchange moments after the debate, Warren accused Sanders of calling her a liar on national television. Sanders responded that it was Warren who called him a liar. Earlier in the debate, the two disagreed on whether Sanders told Warren, during a private dinner in 2018, that he didn't believe a woman could win the presidency.
Victor J. Blue for CNN
Warren and Biden look down at their notes during the debate.
Warren and Biden look down at their notes during the debate.
Gabriella Demczuk for CNN
Buttigieg had been leading in Iowa, according to a CNN/Des Moines Register poll in early November. But he slipped 9 percentage points in a new <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2020%2F01%2F10%2Fpolitics%2Fiowa-poll-democrats-2020%2Findex.html" target="_blank">CNN/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll.</a>
Buttigieg had been leading in Iowa, according to a CNN/Des Moines Register poll in early November. But he slipped 9 percentage points in a new CNN/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll.
Gabriella Demczuk for CNN
Biden answers a question as Sanders looks to be called on. Sanders leads a tight race in Iowa right now, according to the new <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2020%2F01%2F10%2Fpolitics%2Fiowa-poll-democrats-2020%2Findex.html" target="_blank">CNN/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll.</a> Biden, the national front-runner, is part of a tightly bunched top tier.
Biden answers a question as Sanders looks to be called on. Sanders leads a tight race in Iowa right now, according to the new CNN/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll. Biden, the national front-runner, is part of a tightly bunched top tier.
Gabriella Demczuk for CNN
Sanders insisted that he never told Warren that a woman could not win the presidency. "Anybody who knows me knows that it's incomprehensible that I would think that a woman cannot be president of the United States," <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Fjanuary-democratic-debate-live%2Fh_6850b4e560c5c9338fd6859b3e1247fc" target="_blank">Sanders said.</a> "Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by 3 million votes. How could anybody in a million years not believe that a woman could become president of the United States?" Warren stood by her account that Sanders told her a woman couldn't win. But she said she wanted to move on: "Bernie is my friend, and I am not here to try to fight with Bernie."
Sanders insisted that he never told Warren that a woman could not win the presidency. "Anybody who knows me knows that it's incomprehensible that I would think that a woman cannot be president of the United States," Sanders said. "Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by 3 million votes. How could anybody in a million years not believe that a woman could become president of the United States?" Warren stood by her account that Sanders told her a woman couldn't win. But she said she wanted to move on: "Bernie is my friend, and I am not here to try to fight with Bernie."
Edward M. PioRoda/CNN
Klobuchar said she's often heard that a woman cannot win. "I point out that you don't have to be the tallest person in the world — James Madison was 5-4," <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Fjanuary-democratic-debate-live%2Fh_6565187c6a7b45fc24a2ddc0f0cfab96" target="_blank">said the US senator from Minnesota.</a> "You don't have to be the skinniest person in the room. You don't have to be the loudest person. You have to be competent."
Klobuchar said she's often heard that a woman cannot win. "I point out that you don't have to be the tallest person in the world — James Madison was 5-4," said the US senator from Minnesota. "You don't have to be the skinniest person in the room. You don't have to be the loudest person. You have to be competent."
Gabriella Demczuk for CNN
Audience members watch the debate.
Audience members watch the debate.
Victor J. Blue for CNN
"This is the moment when we have got to think big, not small," Sanders said his closing statement. "This is the moment when we have got to have the courage to take on the 1%, take on the greed and corruption of the corporate elite, and create an economy and create a government that works for all of us. Not just the 1%."
"This is the moment when we have got to think big, not small," Sanders said his closing statement. "This is the moment when we have got to have the courage to take on the 1%, take on the greed and corruption of the corporate elite, and create an economy and create a government that works for all of us. Not just the 1%."
Gabriella Demczuk for CNN
Biden was asked if it would be harder to run against President Donald Trump if he's acquitted in a Senate impeachment trial.<br />"It's irrelevant," <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Fjanuary-democratic-debate-live%2Fh_81309e6136621fcc66530a4ebabf49de" target="_blank">Biden said.</a> "There's no choice but for Nancy Pelosi and the House to move. He has, in fact, committed impeachable offenses."
Biden was asked if it would be harder to run against President Donald Trump if he's acquitted in a Senate impeachment trial.
"It's irrelevant," Biden said. "There's no choice but for Nancy Pelosi and the House to move. He has, in fact, committed impeachable offenses."
Gabriella Demczuk for CNN
Buttigieg is seen on a screen at the debate venue. "If you're used to voting for the other party but right now cannot look your kids in the eye and explain this President to them, join me," he said in his closing statement.
Buttigieg is seen on a screen at the debate venue. "If you're used to voting for the other party but right now cannot look your kids in the eye and explain this President to them, join me," he said in his closing statement.
Gabriella Demczuk for CNN
Steyer, a former hedge-fund manager who has spent more than $100 million on television ads, barely made Tuesday's debate. During the debate, he said he would <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Fjanuary-democratic-debate-live%2Fh_c4f7cfd2fd5e1cb26233a56f637a387e" target="_blank">declare a state of emergency on climate change.</a>
Steyer, a former hedge-fund manager who has spent more than $100 million on television ads, barely made Tuesday's debate. During the debate, he said he would declare a state of emergency on climate change.
Victor J. Blue for CNN
The moderators of Tuesday night's debate were CNN's Abby Phillip, CNN's Wolf Blitzer and The Des Moines Register's Brianne Pfannenstiel.
The moderators of Tuesday night's debate were CNN's Abby Phillip, CNN's Wolf Blitzer and The Des Moines Register's Brianne Pfannenstiel.
John Nowak/CNN
Warren answers a question during the first half of the debate.
Warren answers a question during the first half of the debate.
Gabriella Demczuk for CNN
Biden heads backstage during a break in the debate.
Biden heads backstage during a break in the debate.
Gabriella Demczuk for CNN
The debate — the seventh of the campaign season — took place on the campus of Drake University.
The debate — the seventh of the campaign season — took place on the campus of Drake University.
Edward M. PioRoda/CNN
Klobuchar is among the lower-polling candidates looking for a breakout. She earned 6% of Iowa's support in the latest CNN/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll.
Klobuchar is among the lower-polling candidates looking for a breakout. She earned 6% of Iowa's support in the latest CNN/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll.
Victor J. Blue for CNN
The candidates stand on stage before the start of the debate.
The candidates stand on stage before the start of the debate.
Gabriella Demczuk for CNN
Biden and Sanders shake hands at the beginning of the debate.
Biden and Sanders shake hands at the beginning of the debate.
Edward M. PioRoda/CNN
Warren is seen after the debate.
Warren is seen after the debate.
Gabriella Demczuk for CNN
Griff, Drake University's mascot, hangs out in the "spin room" after the debate.
Griff, Drake University's mascot, hangs out in the "spin room" after the debate.
Victor J. Blue for CNN
Buttigieg is interviewed by CNN after the debate.
Buttigieg is interviewed by CNN after the debate.
Victor J. Blue for CNN
Former presidential candidate Julian Castro speaks to media members in the spin room.
Former presidential candidate Julian Castro speaks to media members in the spin room.
Victor J. Blue for CNN
Biden poses for a photo with a supporter after the debate.
Biden poses for a photo with a supporter after the debate.
Victor J. Blue for CNN
Audience members look on prior to the debate.
Audience members look on prior to the debate.
Victor J. Blue for CNN
Klobuchar, Sanders and Buttigieg talk backstage before the debate.
Klobuchar, Sanders and Buttigieg talk backstage before the debate.
Edward M. PioRoda/CNN
CNN broadcasts live before the event started.
CNN broadcasts live before the event started.
Gabriella Demczuk for CNN
Drake University student Sarah Rosales sings the National Anthem before the debate.
Drake University student Sarah Rosales sings the National Anthem before the debate.
Victor J. Blue for CNN
Harold C. Frazier, chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, attends the debate.
Harold C. Frazier, chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, attends the debate.
Victor J. Blue for CNN
Klobuchar supporters hold a rally on the Drake campus before the debate on Tuesday.
Klobuchar supporters hold a rally on the Drake campus before the debate on Tuesday.
Victor J. Blue for CNN
Anti-Trump protester Carol Dunitz faces pro-Trump supporters Gary Leffler, center, and Nathan Montgomery on Tuesday.
Anti-Trump protester Carol Dunitz faces pro-Trump supporters Gary Leffler, center, and Nathan Montgomery on Tuesday.
Victor J. Blue for CNN
Sanders participates in a debate walkthrough before the event.
Sanders participates in a debate walkthrough before the event.
Gabriella Demczuk for CNN
Warren participates in her walkthrough.
Warren participates in her walkthrough.
Victor J. Blue for CNN
Sanders chats on stage hours before the debate.
Sanders chats on stage hours before the debate.
Gabriella Demczuk for CN
Klobuchar is shown around the stage before the debate.
Klobuchar is shown around the stage before the debate.
Gabriella Demczuk for CNN
People stand in with Buttigieg during his walkthrough.
People stand in with Buttigieg during his walkthrough.
Gabriella Demczuk for CNN