Pete Buttigieg fends off attacks, takes on far-left at debate; Biden stumbles on domestic violence, Harris gaffe

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Pete Buttigieg fends off attacks, takes on far-left at debate; Biden stumbles on domestic violence, Harris gaffe 
Pete Buttigieg, whose popularity has surged in the polls in recent weeks, suddenly found himself the target of attacks at Wednesday night's fifth Democratic primary debate. However, he stayed focused on appealing to the country's political middle with a blunt rebuke of Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders' "Medicare-for-all" plan.

Several other candidates joined Buttigieg in going after the health care overhaul plan, putting the party's far-left candidates on their heels over what he called their "divisive" and unrealistic approach.

Reflecting the ever-shifting dynamic in the race, meanwhile, Joe Biden had a mixed performance -- projecting foreign policy strength and siding with Buttigieg against the liberal wing on health care, while also suffering some stumbles. Until recently he was the unrivaled front-runner in the race. However, on Wednesday, Biden had to compete for attention with three other top-tier candidates -- Warren, Sanders and Buttigieg -- but flubbed when he erroneously stated in front of Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., that he had the support of the "only" black woman elected to the Senate.

And in a moment that raised eyebrows, Biden also said it's important to "keep punching at" the problem of domestic violence, noting that it's "rarely" needed for men to hit women in self-defense. Click here for more on our top story. Also check out our analysis of the winners and losers in Wednesday's debate.