Joe Biden has had to defend his record on race and civil rights after coming under attack in Thursday's second debate among Democrat presidential contenders.
Sen. Kamala Harris, the only African American on the stage, took aim at frontrunner Joe Biden over his opposition to school busing in the 1970s and his favourable statements about segregationist senators.
In a heated exchange, Harris said it was hurtful to hear the former vice president talk fondly about his relationships with Sens. James Eastland and Herman Talmadge at a recent fundraiser.
"There was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools and she was bused to school every day. That little girl was me". She said.
"I do not praise racists," Biden responded. "If we want to have this litigated on who supports civil rights, I'm happy to do that."
He then returned fire on Harris, saying that as a young lawyer he chose to be a public defender -- not a prosecutor. Harris has faced criticism on the left over her prosecutorial record as San Francisco district attorney and California attorney general.
Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, also found himself on the defensive on race, responding to a recent police shooting in his community which has led to widespread protests. He was asked why the city has not increased the percentage of black officers.
"Because I couldn't get it done," he answered. In the wake of the shooting, he said, "It's a mess, and we're hurting."
Biden, who is 76, found himself under continuous attack from his younger opponents, including 38-year-old Rep. Eric Swalwell, who repeatedly urged him to "pass the torch."
The former Vice-President made a case for himself as a continuation of President Barak Obama's legacy. He defended Obamacare while pushing back on Sen. Bernie Sanders' Medicare for All plan.
"The quickest, fastest way to do it is build on Obamacare, to build on what we did," Biden said. "I am against any Democrat who opposes Obamacare, and any Republican who opposes Obamacare."
The candidates were asked if their health care plans would cover illegal immigration. Each candidate raised his or her hand.
Donald Trump later tweeted that response would help him win in 2020.
