DETROIT An expected showdown between the races two leading progressive candidates instead quickly turned into a battle with Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders facing a host of lesser-known moderate candidates desperate to continue their low-polling campaigns.

CNN s moderators quickly set up clashes between Warren and Sanders and lower-tier moderates including former Maryland Rep. John Delaney, former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock and Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan on contentious topics including immigration and Medicare for All.

The moderate candidates none of whom is on track to qualify for the third round of presidential debates in September hammered some of Warrens and Sanders signature proposals as unrealistic and politically unwise, while Sanders and Warren argued they were necessary to fix the countrys problems and that the moderates were proposing insufficiently bold ideas. The debate seems unlikely to lead to a major shakeup in Democratic polling and lacked a clear breakout moment or candidate.

After Delaney said during his opening statement that Medicare for All was an impossible promise that will turn off independent voters and get Trump reelected, Sanders had a blunt response: Youre wrong.