Last Night’s Democratic Presidential Candidates’ Debate

Against my better judgment I watched the Democratic presidential candidates’ debate last night. It was, as I anticipated “let’s attack Bloomberg” night. His weaknesses as a candidate, particularly for the Democratic presidential nominee, were exposed. Some of his strengths were, too, but that could hardly be heard for the din. In many cases he told them the truth. They can’t handle the truth.

Overall I was left with the following impressions. Bernie Sanders is anticipating a vast wave of support from unseen and unheard ideological voters who support his position. That is a notion that crops up in American politics every so often on the part of highly ideological candidates. It was the assumption of the Goldwater campaign. It was the assumption of the McGovern campaign. That strategy has always gone down in flames in the past. Maybe this time is different. I would add that I’m not convinced that as many people have the burning hatred of Donald Trump that those on the stage had.

Joe Biden looked like he was desperate for attention. Elizabeth Warren’s attacks against Bloomberg were the most successful but somehow I received the impression that she is now running for the vice president’s slot on a Sanders-Warren ticket.

I thought that, if you’re looking for a president who would implement modest reform from within, you could do worse than Amy Klobuchar but if you want a president who will tear down the American economy and politics, Bernie Sanders is your man.

5 comments… add one
  • Guarneri Link

    I appreciate the effort to deconstruct it. But it was a shit show. As is the Party.

  • Robert Holt Link

    And these are the people the Democrats are pushing to run our lives. And we’re not even counting the cackling witch in the shadows rubbing her palms together in glee in anticipation of another run at Orange Man Bad. Joe Lieberman, where are you? Hell, Blago would a better choice than any of them.

    As I recall (how the memory fades!) during the runup to the vote in the 1972 McGovern-Nixon campaign all the pundits seemed to be hinting that George by God really had a great chance to dethrone Mr. Evil. And then the election happened. It was so massive a defeat they didn’t even bother to try and claim the election had been stolen.

    Too young to remember Goldwater-Johnson, but my impression was the atom bomb ad (which I believe only ran once or twice before it was pulled) ad had a very powerful impression on a lot of impressionable people. Also Johnson was running on the JFK memorial ticket and the Civil Rights Acts had the entire liberal wing of the Democrats and Republicans in his pocket.

  • jan Link

    I will be interested in the figures of people watching last night’s debate. I bet, though, they were much higher than all the previous ones. My husband and I hung in there for most of it’s air time, as the infighting and squabbling were something to behold, being remarkably mean, divisive and entertaining.

    Bloomberg, in particular, massively failed in any introductory attempts to be affable or appealing to voters at large. However, the rest of them seemed to develop personality caricatures which could adapt well to political cartooning. Warren was a screeching chicken, flapping her wings for attention; Bernie, a prickly porcupine; Biden, a giraffe trying to stick his neck above the fray; Mayor Pete, a smooth talking weasel; Amy K. a purring cat accentuating an even demeanor while hiding her claws.

    …..all eager to go after the “Orange man!”

    In the meantime, as the Dems candidates were enthusiastically supporting the green new deal, rejoining the Paris Climate Accord, getting rid of fracking, Trump was extolling the virtues of becoming more energy independent, bringing back manufacturing, and demographically diverse job creation at an AZ rally happening during the same time slot. The juxtaposition of positions and policies could not have been more stark.

  • GreyShambler Link

    The Democratic Candidates, to a man, are professional politicians. Even the women. Need better candidates.

  • With the exception of Tom Steyer, who has the wherewithal to stay in the race, those who weren’t professional politicians didn’t received the support from voters or donors to remain in it.

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