A few weeks ago, the top 10 candidates took the stage in the fourth Democratic debate. These candidates included Joe Biden, Cory Booker, Pete Buttigieg, Tulsi Gabbard, Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders, Tom Steyer, Elizabeth Warren and Andrew Yang. 

While past debates have focused on disagreements in policy and candidates jumping to tear down whoever is currently at the top of the polls, the candidates took time to discuss something they all seem to agree on — and that was impeachment proceedings. 

“The president felt free to break the law again and again and again,” said Warren. “We have to establish the principle: No one is above the law. We have a constitutional obligation, and we need to meet it.”

Kamala Harris seemed to agree.

“We have a criminal living in the White House,” Harris said.

Though no candidates said the impeachment proceedings should stop, Biden and Sanders did speak slightly against their party.

“Biden chided his party for the chants that have been breaking out at some Democratic events where attendees have been shouting ‘Lock him up!’” according to The Washington Post.

That phrase is related back to Trump supporters chanting “lock her up” during the last election in reference to Hillary Clinton. It is disheartening to see democrats fall into a similar manner of behavior as what they criticized Republicans for during the 2016 campaign. 

Sanders warned his fellow Democrats that they need not focus so heavily on Trump or they will lose. Instead, he said they must also fight the “rigged economy dominated by a handful of billionaires,” according to the Washington Post.

Buttigieg took a little heat throughout the debate, marking his rise in Iowa polls. Harris criticized him for not connecting with Black voters along with questions about the percentage of black officers in the police force in his city of South Bend, Ind. and Buttigieg agreed both were a problem. 

“Buttigieg conceded that he has struggled to connect with black voters.” The Washington Post said. “He noted that he has not experienced discrimination because of the color of his skin, but said he felt some common cause with minorities because he is gay.”

As we come back to campus for this last part of the semester, I’m sure politics will be the last thing on our minds. Things like finals, the holidays and plans for winter break are sure to take the forefront of our attention. 

Well, luckily for us, this is also the time of year when the race has historically frozen in place.

“The 2020 race will freeze in place now — not to reemerge from its thaw until after New Year’s Day when people start, again, paying real attention to politics,” according to CNN. 

Before this little break concludes with its quick pace race into primaries after the new year, it’s important to note who to watch out for. 

The top four candidates right now are Biden with 28 percent, followed by Sanders with 17 percent, Warren with 14 percent, and Buttigieg with 11 percent, according to a new CNN Poll. 

This shows both a rise in Buttigieg’s chances and a significant decrease in support for Warren. While the feelings among voters are unlikely to change significantly during this short break in politics, it does give the candidates a chance to regroup and come out swinging in the new year.

Kuchta can be reached at [email protected].