It was the final Democratic debate of 2019, and it was also the smallest.

Only seven presidential candidates took the stage Thursday night at Loyola Marymount University. More than that missed the cut; the Democratic National Committee has been steadily raising the polling and fundraising thresholds needed to make each debate.

Thursday's debate was hosted by PBS and Politico and simulcast on CNN. It came just one day after the House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald Trump.

Biden and Sanders <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Fpbs-politico-democratic-debate-12-19-19%2Fh_5e1ee7e8242ba7831d03248228329486" target="_blank">argue about health care</a> during the debate. Sanders advocated for his signature "Medicare for All" single-payer proposal, and Biden backed a plan that builds on Obamacare and maintains a role for private health insurers.
Biden and Sanders argue about health care during the debate. Sanders advocated for his signature "Medicare for All" single-payer proposal, and Biden backed a plan that builds on Obamacare and maintains a role for private health insurers.
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Warren used the first question of the debate <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Fpbs-politico-democratic-debate-12-19-19%2Fh_21d4341c3c49a124b8e7678b0948c2d1" target="_blank">to question the willingness of some candidates to take on the powerful and wealthy.</a> "We need a candidate for president who can draw the sharpest distinction between the corruption of the Trump administration and a Democrat who is willing to get out and fight not for the wealthy and well-connected, but to fight for everyone else," Warren said. "That's why I'm in this race."
Warren used the first question of the debate to question the willingness of some candidates to take on the powerful and wealthy. "We need a candidate for president who can draw the sharpest distinction between the corruption of the Trump administration and a Democrat who is willing to get out and fight not for the wealthy and well-connected, but to fight for everyone else," Warren said. "That's why I'm in this race."
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Candidates raise their hands to be called on. This was the sixth debate of the campaign season.
Candidates raise their hands to be called on. This was the sixth debate of the campaign season.
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Sanders, Klobuchar and Steyer take part in the debate. Klobuchar is banking on the debate helping in Iowa, where she will head to on Friday with a four-day, 27-county tour.
Sanders, Klobuchar and Steyer take part in the debate. Klobuchar is banking on the debate helping in Iowa, where she will head to on Friday with a four-day, 27-county tour.
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Audience members watch the debate.
Audience members watch the debate.
Maddie McGarvey for CNN
Buttigieg looks to be called on as Warren answers a question.
Buttigieg looks to be called on as Warren answers a question.
Maddie McGarvey for CNN
The debate offered an opportunity to leave voters in Iowa and across the country with a good impression before voting begins in 2020.
The debate offered an opportunity to leave voters in Iowa and across the country with a good impression before voting begins in 2020.
Maddie McGarvey for CNN
Yang was the only person of color in Thursday's debate. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Fpbs-politico-democratic-debate-12-19-19%2Fh_50d047483d94f5f275b7b00cd4b88a43" target="_blank">He called it "both an honor and a disappointment."</a>
Yang was the only person of color in Thursday's debate. He called it "both an honor and a disappointment."
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A young audience member uses a tablet before the debate.
A young audience member uses a tablet before the debate.
Maddie McGarvey for CNN
Steyer sought to differentiate himself from the rest of the field by <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Fpbs-politico-democratic-debate-12-19-19%2Fh_1d7213a1c7da7d7b978f4c088794e19a" target="_blank">touting his business experience.</a> "My experience — building a business, understanding how to make that happen — means I can go toe to toe with Mr. Trump," he said during the debate.
Steyer sought to differentiate himself from the rest of the field by touting his business experience. "My experience — building a business, understanding how to make that happen — means I can go toe to toe with Mr. Trump," he said during the debate.
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Biden applauds Warren during the debate. The former vice president remains the national front-runner.
Biden applauds Warren during the debate. The former vice president remains the national front-runner.
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A television crew is seen behind audience members as everyone stands for the National Anthem.
A television crew is seen behind audience members as everyone stands for the National Anthem.
Maddie McGarvey for CNN
"I know you're supposed to say middle class and not poor in politics, but we have to talk about poverty in this country," <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Fpbs-politico-democratic-debate-12-19-19%2Fh_42c4e9b586161c1ffb3d866c05d5d141" target="_blank">Buttigieg said during the debate.</a> "The biggest problem in our economy is simple. People are not getting paid enough. That is not the result of some mysterious cosmic force. It's the result of bad policy."
"I know you're supposed to say middle class and not poor in politics, but we have to talk about poverty in this country," Buttigieg said during the debate. "The biggest problem in our economy is simple. People are not getting paid enough. That is not the result of some mysterious cosmic force. It's the result of bad policy."
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Biden gives a thumbs-up as the candidates are introduced at the start of the debate.
Biden gives a thumbs-up as the candidates are introduced at the start of the debate.
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A teleprompter is seen at the beginning of the debate.
A teleprompter is seen at the beginning of the debate.
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Buttigieg shakes hands with Biden before the debate.
Buttigieg shakes hands with Biden before the debate.
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Warren takes a selfie with a supporter after the debate.
Warren takes a selfie with a supporter after the debate.
Maddie McGarvey for CNN
Kid Scoop Media reporter Joseph Shapiro waits to ask a question after the debate.
Kid Scoop Media reporter Joseph Shapiro waits to ask a question after the debate.
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Buttigieg speaks to CNN anchors following the debate.
Buttigieg speaks to CNN anchors following the debate.
Maddie McGarvey for CNN
Biden and Yang talk after the debate.
Biden and Yang talk after the debate.
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Klobuchar speaks to reporters after the debate.
Klobuchar speaks to reporters after the debate.
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