Thread by @MSNBC

LIVE BLOG: Coverage, updates and analysis of tonight's Democratic debate: nbcnews.to/2USMccx

The candidates take the stage for the third Democratic primary debate nbcnews.to/2kf5BGZ (Win McNamee / Getty Images)

Beto O’Rourke made August’s El Paso shooting central to his opening statement. nbcnews.to/2lRF2b6

Andrew Yang announces a contest to give $12,000 to 10 Americans.

Mayor Buttigieg remarks, "it’s original, I’ll give you that." nbcnews.to/2mg4Huv #DemDebate

4 candidates use their opening remarks to talk directly to the camera about President Trump. nbcnews.to/2lLXjH2

The possibility of turning Texas blue was a key point in Julián Castro’s opening statement. nbcnews.to/2m79Jcu #DemDebate

Sen. Klobuchar slams Sen. Sanders over his healthcare plan.

Sanders says he "wrote the damn bill," Klobuchar shoots back that she "read the bill." nbcnews.to/2lLvzSW #DemDebate

Sen. Harris has stayed away from attacking Joe Biden and other Democrats in her opening statement and initial answer in the ongoing healthcare debate, hitting President Trump both times. nbcnews.to/2kcVSRm

As Democrats debate, Trump primary challenger and former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld uses Houston face-off to renew call for GOP debate. nbcnews.to/2lN6p6g

Joe Biden, Sens. Warren and Sanders spar on Medicare For All versus public option. nbcnews.to/2kxKCiU #DemDebate

Julián Castro hits Joe Biden during debate over the former vice president’s health care plan, telling him that he is not carrying the legacy of former President Obama by not expanding access to more Americans. nbcnews.to/2kI54xq #DemDebate

Beto O'Rourke tells debate viewers that as president, he would back a bill calling for reparations proposals. nbcnews.to/2kI57t6 #DemDebate

Democratic support for Obamacare hit a new all-time high this month, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. nbcnews.to/2kHcWPL

Fact-checking Sen. Sanders' claim that "every study done shows that 'Medicare for All' is the most cost-effective approach for providing health care to every man woman and child in this country." nbcnews.to/2mfZ7Zb #DemDebate

Joe Biden asserts "nobody should be in jail for a non-violent crime." nbcnews.to/2matX5a #DemDebate

Fact-checking Joe Biden's claim that Sen. Sanders' health care plan would cost twice the federal budget. nbcnews.to/2mfdLzL #DemDebate

Beto O'Rourke: “In Odessa, I met the mother of a 15-year-old girl who was shot by an AR-15, and that mother watched her bleed to death ... Hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15, your AK-47, we’re not going to allow it to be used against our fellow Americans anymore.”

Fact-checking Sen. Booker's claim that African Americans are almost four times more likely to be incarcerated nbcnews.to/2kHdBRf #DemDebate

After El Paso, Odessa and Dayton mass shootings, Beto O’Rourke comes out for a mandatory buyback of so-called assault weapons along with a ban: "Hell yes, we are going to take your AR-15, your AK-47.” nbcnews.to/2keXnOZ #DemDebate

Beto O’Rourke: "Hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15, your AK-47. We’re not going to allow it to be used against our fellow Americans anymore." nbcnews.to/2keXnOZ #DemDebate

Julián Castro goes after Joe Biden for "taking credit" for positive aspects of the Obama administration immigration policy while distancing himself from criticisms. nbcnews.to/2mav8BC #DemDebate

Sen. Warren says as president, she'd get rid of the Senate filibuster to advance gun-control legislation. nbcnews.to/2kf8hEx #DemDebate

Fact check: Sen. Klobuchar says three gun control bills are waiting "on Mitch McConnell’s desk." nbcnews.to/2kxTdSG #DemDebate

Joe Biden distances himself from the results on the Obama administration's immigration policy, which deported more undocumented immigrants than any previous administration. nbcnews.to/2kKsGl5 #DemDebate

Fact-checking Julián Castro's claim that Joe Biden's health care plan would leave 10,000,000 uncovered. nbcnews.to/2mfjLZi #DemDebate

Democratic candidates weigh in on how they would handle the ongoing U.S. trade war with China. nbcnews.to/2mctdfT #DemDebate

Fact-checking Joe Biden's assertion that the Obama administration "didn't lock people up in cages" or "separate families." nbcnews.to/2kasUBA #DemDebate

Joe Biden is the most-attacked candidate so far in the #DemDebate. Sen. Sanders has delivered the most attacks.

Live updates: nbcnews.to/2lT5G3j #DemDebate

Fact-checking Sen. Sanders' claim that the U.S. spends twice as much as "any other major country on earth" on health care. nbcnews.to/2mcudk9 #DemDebate

Fact check: Did the effects of NAFTA and granting China a "permanent normal trade relations" status cost the U.S. 4,000,000 jobs? nbcnews.to/2me0s2v #DemDebate

Despite the House Judiciary Cmte. taking step toward impeachment inquiry Thursday, the Democratic presidential candidates have not mentioned the topic. nbcnews.to/2kxsvcV #DemDebate

Sen. Sanders pledges to cancel $1.6T of student debt in the U.S. "by imposing a tax on Wall Street." nbcnews.to/2lLBcR4 #DemDebate

Fact check: Booker on the problem of child lead poisoning in America. nbcnews.to/2mfmNg8 #DemDebate

Mayor Buttigieg finishes debate by telling his coming out story. nbcnews.to/2kjv16m #DemDebate