Key moments for Julian Castro and Beto O'Rourke in first Democratic debate

With headlines riveting attention on the crisis along the U.S.-Mexico border, Texans Beto O'Rourke and Julian Castro clashed sharply Wednesday at the first Democratic presidential debate.

The two Texans tangled on how the United States should approach the migrant crisis at the southern border.

O'Rourke, in response to a question about the drowning deaths of a Salvadoran father and daughter in the Rio Grande this week, was interrupted by Castro who said the El Pasoan did not do enough to support all undocumented immigrants.

Castro and O'Rourke clash over immigration debate

O'Rourke sought to talk past the interruption, saying the nation's immigration laws should be rewritten "in our own image" and said no one should be turned away at the border fleeing from violence and economic oppression.

"I think you should do your homework," Castro shot back, suggesting O'Rourke was masking over the heart of the issue with political rhetoric.

The two Texans shared the stage in the two-hour debate at Miami's Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and carried live on NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo with eight other hopefuls in the crowded field of Democrats.

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who's polling in the top tier of Democrats, had the coveted center-stage positions and drew the most questions at the outset. O'Rourke was next to her and Castro was third from the end on the left. Other big names on Night One were U.S. Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Amy Klobuchar Minnesota and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Castro Policies:What you need (and want) to know about the presidential candidate

Finding a way to break from the pack proved challenging for all of the hopefuls, with the possible exception of Warren. Castro was far from the only candidate who cut into another's time to challenge a point or to wedge in a memorable line.

Castro employed off-color language when he addressed the migrants' deaths, saying they should "piss all of us off. It should spur us to action.”

The aggressive posture could pay off for Castro, who has struggled to gain traction so far. Debate co-sponsor, MSNBC, tweeted that Google Trends showed a 2,400 percent spike in searches of his name during the course of the debate.

The early questions focused on the economy and health care.

Beto O'Rourke says economy 'rigged'

O'Rourke used his first opportunity to speak to showcase his fluency in Spanish as he called the economy "rigged" for wealthy corporations. He skirted the specifics of the question about whether he'd support a 70 percent bracket for the super-rich, instead saying the tax code must be fair.

Castro, the only Latino seeking the presidency, attempted to connect with struggling Americans by reminding viewers that he was raised by a single mother in a working-class San Antonio neighborhood.

Julian: I believe in reproductive justice

On the question of reproductive choice, Castro was forceful saying his health plan would ensure that abortion services would be covered by insurance.

"I believe in reproductive justice," he said, drawing a distinction from "reproductive choice." And he also said that just would apply to the transgender community.

More:2019 Democratic debate: What is social media saying about Beto O'Rourke, Julian Castro?

Asked if he'd scrap private health insurance in favor of "Medicare for All," O'Rourke said no. He'd offer Medicare for those uninsured or priced out of the private market, but would not end private coverage, especially for union workers who negotiated favorable terms of coverage.

Foreign policy

Asked if the United States should intervene against genocide even if there is no clear U.S. interest in play, O'Rourke was unequivocal, saying the nation must "live our values,"

He then pivoted to Trump, saying he has "alienated our friends and allies. He has weakened our country."

Going in to the evening, O'Rourke, the El Paso Democrat who used his narrow loss in the U.S. Senate race to Republican Ted Cruz last year as a springboard to the 2020 presidential sweepstakes, appeared ready to pounce on the border crisis.

"Trump is responsible for these deaths," the former congressman said in a tweet Tuesday night that was anchored by the viral but disturbing photo of a father and toddler daughter who drowned in the Rio Grande near Brownsville.

MORE:Democratic debate: What to know before Texas candidates take the stage

Castro, the former San Antonio mayor and HUD secretary in the Obama administration, was passionate but measured when he took to Twitter in the hours before the debate. He deleted a tweet with the image and replaced it with link to a news story about the drownings but not the image.

"Absolutely heartbreaking," Castro tweeted. "Families are fleeing desperate conditions to find refuge, only for the doors to be shut in their face. We need a more sensible, compassionate immigration system that doesn’t criminalize desperation."

But that did not last once they took the stage. 

"I think it's a mistake, Beto," Castro said to O'Rourke as he chastised him on immigration policy.

Closing arguments

Castro relied on his biography, growing up in a Hispanic family headed by women. He has acknowledged that he's not a fluent Spanish speaker, but Castro did draw applause when he promised on Inauguration Day 2021, "we will say 'adios' to Donald Trump." 

O'Rourke hearkened back to the sometimes soaring, aspirational rhetoric that fueled his Senate race as he wrapped up his case.

"This is our moment and the generations that follow are counting on us to meet it," he said.

Presidential candidates get ready for debate

In an email to supporters about 90 minutes before the start of the debate, O'Rourke admitted "there's a lot riding on" his performance.

"Before the lights go up and we take our place, I am excited to draw inspiration, courage, and wisdom from some of the incredible people we’ve met along the way who will be joining us here in Miami," he said in the email.

O'Rourke Policies:Trump, ICE, education, and more: Where Beto O'Rourke stands on key issues

Castro delivered a similar message on Twitter.

"I'm getting ready to take the stage at the #DemDebate tonight, and I know I wouldn't be here without your support," he said.

MORE:Graphic photo of drowned father and daughter stirs volatile immigration debate

On Thursday, former Vice President Joe Biden, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg top the lineup in the other 10-candidate match-up. 

John C. Moritz covers Texas government and politics for the USA Today Network in Austin. Contact him at jmoritz@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @JohnnieMo.

More Debate Coverage

What Beto O'Rourke and Julian Castro must do to shine in the first Democratic debate

Beto O'Rourke and Julian Castro: Where the 2020 Democratic candidates stand on the issues

Democratic debates: Four hours. 20 candidates. And a race, defined.

Are you getting ready for the Democratic debates? Here is what you should know.

Poll: What do Democrats want to hear about at the debates? (Hint: It's not Trump.)