LOS ANGELES _ Debate moderator Judy Woodruff asked the presidential hopefuls whether they would like to give a gift to or seek forgiveness from any of the others on stage. It's the type of question that campaigns tend to hate, and the type that offers an opportunity to see how slickly a candidate can pivot to their favored talking point.
The seven Democrats appeared flummoxed, and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren jokingly suggested that they could all "do a labor action" and strike over the question. Ultimately, the two women on the stage asked forgiveness while the men offered gifts.
Entrepreneur Andrew Yang said he would like to give each candidate a copy of his book, which is about how automation is going to wholly upturn the nation's economy.
"If you like data, this book is for you."
South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg would like to give the nation the gift of having any Democrat on the stage elected president "compared to what we've got."
Warren said she would ask for forgiveness because she gets so moved by hearing of people's hardships during her selfie lines. "I know that sometimes I get really worked up and sometimes I get a little hot."
Vice President Joe Biden said he too met many people during selfie lines who struggled, and that as candidates, they owe the voters a gift.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, while noting that he had written four books, said he believed that all the candidates could give a gift to the American people of "a very, very different vision" than President Donald Trump.
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, like Warren, asked for forgiveness for "any time any of you get mad at me. I can be blunt. I am doing this because I think it is so important to pick the right candidate here."
Billionaire Tom Steyer said the candidates could give the gift of teamwork to bring the nation together and work for values, freedom, equality and justice.
