Democratic debate in Nevada

Pete Buttigieg argued on Wednesday that Mike Bloomberg and Bernie Sanders are “the two most polarizing figures on this stage” and warned that the Democratic Party most “wake up” to the reality that they could be the only Democrats left in the race in two weeks if the contest doesn’t change.

The line earned applause in the room, and highlights the fact that Sanders identifies as a Democratic socialist and independent in the Senate and Bloomberg has long been a Republican.

"Look, we shouldn’t have to choose between one candidate who wants to burn this party down and another candidate who wants to buy this party out," Buttigieg added. "We can do better."

Sanders took issue with being called polarizing.

“If speaking to the needs and the pain of a long-neglected working class is polarizing, I think you got the wrong word,” Sanders said, before turning to the fact that Buttigieg takes money from billionaire donors.

Michael Bloomberg responded to an avalanche of attacks at the outset of Wednesday night’s debate by saying he’s the Democratic candidate with the best chance of defeating President Donald Trump. 

Bloomberg ignored other candidates’ comments about his record and his history of offensive comments, instead drawing contrasts with Trump. 

“I’m a New Yorker. I know how to take on an arrogant con man like Donald Trump who comes from New York,” he said. “I'm a mayor, or was a mayor. I know how to run a complicated city — the biggest most diverse city in this country. I'm a manager. I knew what to do after 9/11 and brought the city back stronger than ever. And I'm a philanthropist who didn't inherit his money, but made his money.”

He continued: “I'm spending that money to get rid of Donald Trump, the worst president we have ever had. If I can get that done, it will be a great contribution to America and to my kids."

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg used his first answer in his first Democratic debate to make a central point of his candidacy clear: He doesn’t believe Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders can beat President Donald Trump.

Bloomberg’s line underscores the former mayor’s entire argument and highlights how his candidacy is aimed at quelling concerns among establishment Democrats about what Sanders, an avowed Democratic socialist, would mean atop the 2020 ticket.

Bloomberg particularly argued that Sanders’ views on health care — and his pledge to enact a "Medicare for All" single payer system — would hurt his electability.

“You don't start out by saying I've got 160 million people I'm going to take away the insurance plan that they love. That's just not a ways that you go and start building the coalition that the Sanders camp,” Bloomberg said.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren attacked former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg tonight on the stage in Nevada, calling him a substitute for "one arrogant billionaire."

Warren added: "Democrats are not going to win if we have a nominee who has a history of hiding his tax returns, of harassing women and of supporting racist policies like red lining and stop and frisk. Look, I'll support whoever the Democratic nominee is, but understand this, Democrats take a huge risk if we just substitute one arrogant billionaire for another."

Michael Bloomberg has faced scrutiny for his implementation of stop and frisk, which was a policing tactic that allowed officers to detain a person on any type of vague suspicion, search that individual without a warrant and arrest the person if any kind of illegal substance or weapon was found.

Stop-and-frisk searches peaked under Bloomberg at 203,500 stops during the first three months of 2012. The practice was cut back amid protests and lawsuits.

Bloomberg has apologized for implementing it.

The six presidential candidates are now taking the stage at tonight's Democratic debate in Las Vegas, Nevada.

You can follow CNN’s live debate coverage here or on CNN.com

Joe and Jill Biden are taking three Nevadans personally impacted by gun violence as their guests to tonight’s debate in Las Vegas, a campaign official says.

Biden has sought to bring gun control front and center at his events in Nevada this week.

These are his guests tonight:

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders is well ahead of the rest of the field for the Democratic national primary after strong showings in Iowa and New Hampshire, according to a new CNN Poll of Polls on the race.

Sanders, a Vermont independent, is leading the pack as the candidates head to the Nevada caucuses with 28% of support among registered Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents or likely Democratic voters.

Here's where the other candidates stand:

The poll of polls includes an average of the five most recent nonpartisan, live operator, national surveys on the race for the Democratic presidential nomination conducted among registered voters who either consider themselves Democrats, Democratic-leaning independents or likely Democratic voters. The surveys were conducted after voting in the Iowa caucuses began on February 3.

Sanders takes commanding lead in CNN poll of polls:

Former Vice President Joe Biden was asked how he will debate Mike Bloomberg on the stage during a hectic Culinary Union picket line outside of the Palms Casino Resort today.

After saying he will tell “the truth,” Biden expanded that the truth is that Bloomberg has “basically been a Republican his whole life.” Biden continued that he didn’t endorse either him or President Barack Obama and said that he’s going “to talk about his record.”  

Asked if he believes the Bloomberg ad featuring Obama is disingenuous, Biden replied, “Mildly, mildly.”

Biden admitted tonight is important to “reviving his campaign.” Asked by a reporter, he replied, “I think it’s really important, I think we’re gonna do well.” 

Asked if he was going to “come out swinging,” Biden responded, “We’ll see.”

Other Democratic candidates Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar also visited the picket line Wednesday.

Hear more from Biden’s Deputy Campaign Manager: