On Oct. 13 in Nevada, CNN and Facebook hosted the first Democratic presidential debate, moderated by Anderson Cooper. Social media and news outlets both believe this presidential debate was more organized and successful than the Republican Debate on Sept. 16, mainly because the Republican Debate had 11 candidates all trying to speak at once whereas the Democratic Debate had 5 candidates, starting with Hillary Clinton in the center, Bernie Sanders to her right, Martin O’Malley to her left and Lincoln Chafee along with Jim Webb on the outsides. Almost all news outlets say that Clinton won the debate, but people on social media like Twitter or Facebook say that Sanders won by a landslide.

Many issues were discussed such as gun control, climate change, Planned Parenthood, Clintons email scandal and the United States’ high incarceration rate. Climate change has definitely been a pressing issue in politics and the presidential race. Especially for O’Malley, who strongly believes that America needs to change its resources to fully renewable and alternative energy sources. He also believed that we need to align with the other major countries in abandoning the use of fossil fuels.

He said, “We can get there as a nation, but it’s going to require presidential leadership.”

He stated that this would be the first issue he would tackle as president. Sanders also strongly believed in solving climate change and he stated that it was the biggest national security threat to the United States.

“The scientists are telling us that we need to move extremely boldly,” Sanders said, “the future of the planet is at stake.”

Webb seemed to be the only candidate not concerned with climate change and even said, “I’m a strong proponent of nuclear power. It is safe, it is clean.”

Clinton has been both fighting court and the people for her email scandal, all the while gaining a lot of media attention. This was brought up in the debate and Clinton defended herself by saying that her rivals in the presidential race are using the email scandal as a way to bring down her polls. She feels that the email scandal should be put behind and important topics should be discussed. Sanders took her side by saying, “Let me say something that may not be great politics. But I think the secretary is right, and that is that the American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn e-mails.”

O’Malley agreed with this, but Chafee believed that the email scandal was an important topic and that it threatens America’s credibility.

Gun control once again is being discussed extensively due to the recent Oregon shooting. Sanders felt that America should not focus on controlling the guns but instead should provide more mental health care to children now before they grow to use a gun in a violent way. Clinton argued that Sanders is not harsh enough with guns and said, “It’s time the entire country stood up against the NRA.”

O’Malley passed gun legislation in Maryland when he was governor and now he wishes to do the same nationally as president.

After the debate Clinton still leads in the polls, although they have slowly drop as Sanders’ have risen. All other democratic candidates have 1% or lower.

The next Democratic debate will be held on Nov 14.