SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — News 8's First-Time Voters on Tuesday night gathered to watch the final debate before South Carolina's primary on Saturday and before Super Tuesday.
Bernie Sanders is facing a torrent of attacks from his Democratic rivals in a high-stakes debate that could be their final prime-time opportunity to change the direction of the 2020 nomination fight.
One week before the primary and First-Time Voters are confused and undecided.
Even a Bernie Sanders supporter worries that if he is nominated it will impact the election and the Democratic party.
"Every time I try and watch these debates, I just like, it's two different worlds," said First-Time Voter Phillip Latamondeer, 19.
"What they are actually going to do. What the people want and what they think they can do. The divide."
Another First-Time Voter Madeline Austin supported Joe Biden, then Pete Buttigieg and now she is undecided.
"It is exhausting and watching this was exhausting and I'm not very optimistic I guess about the next four years."
The First-Time Voters is a group of 15 students from across the San Diego County with differing political views and ideologies and parties.
"It's been good to talk with informed teens. I went from Trump to Yang to nobody, I don't know where I will go next," said First-Time Voter Diego Estrada, 17, Morse High School.
Billionaire Mike Bloomberg was the focus last week for his highly anticipated debut, but after a bad performance that froze his momentum, the knives were out Tuesday night for the Vermont senator as well.
Del Norte High School Senior, Mithil Pujar has been a strong Mike Bloomberg supporter, "It's a mix of everything figuring out who would be the nominee and beat Trump."
Many feel the election is important but questioning the process.
I've always been told your vote maters, my vote matters and it's now it's a strategy," said Latamondeer.
The new wave of infighting came in South Carolina as Democrats met for the party's 10th — and perhaps most consequential — debate of the 2020 primary season.
