Tonight’s debate: Democrats expect specifics

DES MOINES - The head of the Democratic National Committee on Friday gave Iowans high marks, saying the state has earned its starting role as a 'proving ground” for presidential candidates of both political parties.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a U.S. representative from Florida who leads her party's steering committee, made the comments in advance of the second Democratic presidential debate that will take place today at Drake University. The three Democrats participating are former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

'There's a drum beat and a hum that really courses through Iowa, no matter where you are,” Wasserman Schultz said at the start of an issues roundtable discussion. 'Iowans understand what their responsibility is. That it's their job to kick the tires. That you are the proving grounds, and I have been protective of that role.”

Wasserman Schultz said she expected voters would see a real contrast in tonight's nationally televised debate versus the two-tiered debates the GOP presidential candidates participated in earlier this week.

She noted there was little mention of the middle class during the Republican debates: 'What we heard was an obsession with how much we should cut taxes for the wealthiest Americans, how quickly we can deport millions of people from the United States of America.”

In a separate media call Friday, leaders of several progressive political groups said they hoped the Democratic debate would give candidates a chance to 'go big and go bold” about their progressive ideas and allow them to provide details on a number of issues.

'Millions of people are just starting to pay attention. They really don't care about petty news of the week, the Republican clown car or Secret Service code names,” said Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee.

'Voters want to hear a bold, progressive message that contrasts with Republicans on issues like debt-free college, expanding Social Security benefits, holding Wall Street accountable, and Black Lives Matter priorities,” Green added. 'All three have proposals, but there are differences. So this weekend voters want candidates to elevate big, progressive ideas and really flesh out the differences.”