WASHINGTON – Sixty seconds for answers, a television audience of millions and, for some candidates, a first chance to introduce themselves to voters. The back-to-back Democratic presidential debates beginning Wednesday are exercises in competitive sound bites featuring 20 candidates hoping to oust President Donald Trump in 2020. The hopefuls range widely in age, sex and backgrounds and include a former vice president, six women and a pair of mayors. The challenge: Convey their plans for the nation, throw a few elbows and sharpen what's been a blur of a race so far for many Americans. What to watch Wednesday at 8 p.m. Eastern on NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo: WHAT'S HER PLAN? Sen. Elizabeth Warren's task is to harness the recent momentum surrounding her campaign to prove to voters that she has what it takes to defeat Trump. As the sole top-tier candidate on stage Wednesday, she could have the most to lose. The Massachusetts senator and former Harvard professor is known for her many … [Read more...] about Democratic Presidential debates: What to watch for
New jersey medicare advantage plans
S&P 500 approaching record high as stocks jump on strong earnings
Stocks rose in early trading as investors expressed optimism following strong earnings reports from UnitedHealth and Johnson & Johnson. The Dow rose 39 points to 26,424 in early trading, while the S&P 500 gained 6 points to 2,911, pushing the indices close to records set last year. The Dow set a record on Oct. 3 when it reached 26,828, while the S&P 500 set a record in Sept. 20 when it reached 2,931.Investors are also keeping a close eye on trade talks between the U.S. and China, with optimism that the two countries will resolve tensions. Larry Kudlow, director of the president's National Economic Council, told reporters negotiations over complaints that China has predatory technology policies were going "very well" and making good progress. "The air of optimism remains thick as improving risk sentiment on the back of U.S.-China trade talks has Asia markets accelerating higher today led by substantial gains on the Shanghai Composite Index," Stephen Innes of SPI Asset … [Read more...] about S&P 500 approaching record high as stocks jump on strong earnings