CHARLESTON — DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz issued the following statement on tonight’s Democratic debate in South Carolina:

“What a difference a Democrat makes. We began the week with a reminder from the President that hope and faith in the American people are more powerful than the doom and gloom Republicans are peddling on the campaign trail. Tonight our candidates confirmed they understand what it takes to keep America safe and build on the incredible economic progress we’ve made over the last seven years.

“This was a spirited debate, it was sharp and it showed that there is tremendous energy on the Democratic side. And they showed they have the right priorities — ones that match the values, hopes and dreams of the American people.

“Over the course of a wide-ranging debate, the candidates covered issues from economic and health policy to national security, gun violence, climate change, criminal justice reform and college affordability.

“Compare that to the food fight at the Republican debate last Thursday, where they basically promised they would take us back to where we were seven years ago. Remember that when the last Republican president left office in 2009 the GOP’s great recession was robbing millions of Americans of their jobs, their homes, and their savings. We’ve come a long way.

“Tonight our candidates focused on real solutions for expanding opportunity, growing the middle class and ensuring everyone in America has a fair shot.

“Our 45th President was on this stage tonight.”