Debate takeaways: Democratic divisions intensify

From the beginning, Joe Biden knew he would take heat at Wednesday’s presidential debate . He was right — but he was not alone.

The evening marked some of the toughest attacks California Sen. Kamala Harris has faced as a candidate. The exchanges were part of a broader ideological fight for the future of the Democratic Party.

Most candidates claimed to be Democrats of the future. Biden found himself defending Democrats of the past.

The former vice president repeatedly found himself defending Barack Obama’s policies on immigration and health care when they came under withering attack, a continuation of his near-constant efforts to highlight his service to the first black president.