Seven Democratic presidential hopefuls, including Michael Bloomberg (1st from left), Bernie Sanders (4th from left), and Joe Biden (3rd from right), participate in the 10th Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season at the Gaillard Center in Charleston, South Carolina on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

White House hopefuls Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders launched a joint attack on Donald Trump's response to the coronavirus pandemic as they faced off in a high-stakes debate Sunday, accusing the president of undermining his own scientists with misinformation.

The two rivals also sparred about their record, taking advantage of the first one-on-one format of the marathon campaign to engage in extended policy clashes on everything from universal health care and climate change to deportations and foreign policy.

But with Biden appearing to have a good night, riding high as the frontrunner following three weeks of strong performances, the 77-year-old made a splash by saying he will "commit" to picking a female running mate if he is the Democratic nominee.

Sanders said he would "in all likelihood" do the same, following the most diverse nomination contest in US history that saw no fewer than six women in the running to take on Trump in November.

Going head to head days before four large states hold Democratic primaries, the two main candidates left in the race in which people stood about two meters apart and their elbows bumped one another at the start of a televised debate held with no live audience as a virus precaution.

Sanders, the 78-year-old underdog, took a stinging shot at the president, accusing him of fomenting confusion and eroding public trust during crisis.

"We have to shut this president up right now because he's undermining the doctors and the scientists who are trying to help the American people," Sanders added, referring to multiple Trump statements at odds with expert views.

Biden essentially agreed, saying: "The existential threat to the United States of America is Donald Trump."

With the debate overshadowed by the fast-moving health crisis, Biden and Sanders spent the first half hour on how to address the pandemic that has already caused about 70 deaths and more than 3,800 coronavirus cases nationwide. 

"I would call out the military. Now," he added, warning that the Pentagon and the Federal Emergency Management Agency must step in immediately to dramatically expand the number of intensive care beds.

Sanders called for "aggressively" ramping up testing but also for expanding the safety net to make sure Americans are not pushed deeper into economic crisis.

"What happens if I'm sick? It's going to cost thousands of dollars for treatment. Who is going to feed my kids?" Sanders said, putting himself in the shoes of a working-class parent.

AFP