Thread by @gazettedotcom

The @iowademocrats Hall of Fame candidate speeches have begun, starting with Sen. Corey Booker.

Follow this thread for the coverage of each candidates’ speeches. #IACaucus

Booker emphasizes how this election needs to show “what we are for” and “who we are for.” He also said beating Trump is the floor and not the ceiling. #IACaucus

Congressman Swalwell brings up his Iowa roots and says he wants “Medicare for anyone who wants it.” Other key points included repealing the Hyde Amendment, stopping mass shootings and helping get Joni Ernst out of office. #IACaucus

Bernie Sanders says having excitement, improving voter turnout and giving young people a “reason to vote” is necessary to beat Trump. He said moving to centrist policies is “a failed political strategy” that could lead to a second Trump term in office. #IACaucus

Tulsi Gabbard talks about breaking up the big banks, protecting privacy and bringing her “service above all” mindset to the Oval Office. She spoke up against the “new Cold War” and “regime-change wars.” #IACaucus

Pete Buttigieg says “our values are on the line” in this election and “freedom doesn’t belong to the Republican Party.” He emphasized reproductive freedom and same-sex marriage, among other freedoms.

The crowd interrupted with applause several times. #IACaucus

.@iowademocrats is ushering candidates off the stage with music once their five allotted minutes are done just like the Oscar’s. #IACaucus

Kamala Harris touts her background prosecuting big banks and for-profit colleges. Biggest applause line: Trump “claims to be the best president in a generation. I say let’s call Barack Obama because that’s identity fraud.” #IACaucus

John Delaney walks up to “I’ve Been Everywhere” in a reference to visiting every county in Iowa. He talks heavily about universal healthcare and points to other countries’ success with universal healthcare systems. #IACaucus

Jay Inslee highlights Washington’s success in education and the economy. He mentions how Washington has best GDP growth and highest minimum wage and has an equal-pay law for men and women. #IACaucus

Kirsten Gillibrand says “now more than ever, (women’s) rights are under attack.” She says Trump’s kryptonite is strong women who get stuff done and brags about voting against Trump the most. She promises passing her “Family Bill of Rights” in her first 100 days. #IACaucus

Tim Ryan jokes “it’s been a pleasure speed-dating with you.” He says the next nominee needs to “deeply, deeply understand what American workers are going through.” He talks about giving people higher-paying jobs and rebuilding the middle class. #IACaucus

Andrew Yang discusses the need to prepare for job losses in industries like fast food, call centers, etc. He says technology is the “oil of the 21st Century.” Ends saying the opposite of Trump is “an Asian guy that loves math.” #IACaucus

Marianne Williamson says “we will only win if we touch people’s hearts.” She emphasizes the need for the “real truth” and the power of lies from Republicans. “The real truth is how deeply corrupt our country has become.” #IACaucus

Sen. Warren discusses her plan for a tax on the richest 0.1% to eliminate student debt, improve education and battle climate change, among other tasks. She jokes she’s coming up on her 30,000th selfie after visiting 20 states and Puerto Rico. #IACaucus

Warren received one of the louder crowd reactions of the afternoon. #IACaucus

Hickenlooper discusses an opt-in health insurance system, a path for people who will not get a four-year degree and a return to the Paris Accords that’s address climate change (and exceeding those standards). #IACaucus

Amy Klobuchar opens with Trump calling her “snow woman” for bringing up climate change during a blizzard. She contrasts her upbringing to Trump’s, referencing blue-collar family members. She’s the first candidate to mention overturning Citizens United v FEC. #IACaucus

Gov. Bullock talks about how “we expect more from our preschoolers” than Trump. He says defeating Trump is beyond just winning the coasts and brings up fighting against Citizens United vs. FEC as an attorney general. #IACaucus

Bill De Blasio talks about his work with his wife — who he invited on stage — in New York and how Iowans are “working harder than ever.” He says it’s time to “put working people first in America” and invest in working people. #IACaucus

Michael Bennet calls Mitch McConnell — with help from the Freedom Caucus — the “ringmaster” of the Republican-controlled government. He suggests an agenda that “unifies America.” He ends with the importance of improving preschool and K-12 education. #IACaucus

Beto O’Rourke talks about bringing an end to war, passing laws to prevent mass shootings and remove voting barriers. He also talks about putting farmers in the driver’s seat by letting them profit off their environmental impact. #IACaucus