Going through the reviews, most post-debate analysis gave the evening to Hillary Clinton. Her grades ranged from “pretty good” to “spectacular.” The loser was – um, the Democratic debates. 57 percent of voters didn’t know it was on. Oh, well.
Sanders had a good night, too, I am hearing, except for stumbling on gun control. Some columnists thought he had a better night than Clinton.
Consensus is that Martin O’Malley is running to be vice president, Jim Webb is a tad weird, and Lincoln Chafee is even weirder.
One of the most interesting analyses is from Ed Kilgore, who writes that in spite of Anderson Cooper’s best efforts to goad them, the candidates didn’t turn on each other as the Republicans did. “And as a result the event often turned into Democrats versus CNN.”
Any other thoughts?
Unrelated: The Cubs won the division? Forget the election; we’re heading for the apocalypse.
When Bernie wound up his statement about Hillary’s emails with an “enough already” complete with the hand gestures it reminded me of Linda Richman from Coffee Talk. I was getting all verklempt.
Speak among yourselves!
In this rehab/nursery home, they have (Dumb)Fux “news,” but not CNN.
Naturally.
So, I can’t comment on how it went.
Apparently they dealt with policies, which our MSM finds BOOOOORING!
Give them rabid sociopathic ass clowns, barking at one another with foam on their pursed lips -aka: the GOP debates
OMG, Gulag, you’re trapped in a place with just Fox News? I’ll hotwire a van… we’re busting you out tonight!
(Wait; I’m in Nebraska…. Think think think… do I know how to hotwire a helicopter?!)
Joanr16, maybe Doug would lend you the gyro.
I had the misfortune to be subjected to Fox “news” this morning in a waiting room. I only got a short exposure, but, it seemed to me that they were a little more afraid of Bernie Sanders than they are of HRC. Pretty obviously, they’ve run through all of their maneuvers with the idea that she will be the nominee. They were openly dismissive, dispatching Sanders with the observation that he was “running for president of Denmark.” Beyond that, they really didn’t offer anything, especially not any discussion of his proposals or concerns. They are more comfortable with the enemy that they know.
I know that Americans still react viscerally and feverishly to the term “socialist,” but, I think that button may be wearing out. On top of that, it seems to be increasingly hard to ignore the fact that there are some pretty nasty truths coming to light, and most of them point to institutional racism and a suppression of the poor. A left wing populist is a dangerous man to have around.
“Forget the election; we’re heading for the apocalypse”
No we’re heading for the World Series!!!!!
I didn’t watch the debate, but it seems all the TeeVee bobbleheads are disappointed that the candidates didn’t berate and belittle one another. Of course the civility apparently shown last night is perceived as weakness by the GOP fundies . Trump really has poisoned the well!
I did watch the debate and honestly found it boring. For one thing, it was too long. I prefer the entertainment of the Repug’s debates. Yes, I know, I’m demented. However, my humble opinion is that Hillary came across as polished, confident and fearless. I like those qualities. I liked Berney too, was impressed that he did not attack Hillary on her email issues but said that the American people are sick & tired of hearing about her emails. Amen to that. And I’m sick of hearing about Benghazi too. Good grief, we’ve got over a year to go. What can I do to distract myself? Besides eat chocolate, that is.
Joan – On the hotwire conspiracy – count me in! Don’t anybody tell the prosecutor, though.
Lol!
If you can’t bust me out, send edible food!
HELP!
This joint will ruin the reputation of Kosher food all around the world.
Last evening for dinner, they gave us some shredded BBQ beef that tasted like it was marinated in used motor oil.
YUCK!!!
I spit out my first bite.
Thankfully, I had some hot wings I ordered as a side dish to go along with the Chili Rellenos I had delivered from a nearby Mexican reataurant, Iinstead.
I’m sure I’ll pay for those HOT hotwings, later.
I sure hope ther’s a fire exinguisher near my room!
Doug – not a word from me!
Gulag – I am praying for you to Blessed St. Julia Child. Also for any roommates you may have. Hang in there!!!
I wish I could send a few dozen of my grandmother’s latkes, or maybe better yet, YOUR grandmother’s latkes. Sorry, maybe it’s better not to think about it.
Same planet, different universe:
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/257010-graham-the-dem-debate-made-me-sick
Lindsey’s missing the “good old days” of multiple simultaneous pointless wars, I guess.
Pundits Thought Clinton Beat Sanders–but Did Viewers?
http://us10.campaign-archive2.com/?u=8c573daa3ad72f4a095505b58&id=b44dadb66c&e=8f7134935c
Good breakdown by FAIR. And to me shows why we need to understand that these ‘opinion shakers’ obviously have an agenda that has nothing to do with
what most of the country sees and hears.
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On all the blogs, websites, newspapers and corporate TV – not a word about debates only being available on PAY TV. I don’t have cable or any other pay tv service – so I am not allowed to watch debates that are (in theory) an important part of a democracy ? Doesn’t seem very democratic to me.
https://www.yahoo.com/politics/who-was-missing-from-the-1277550772576310.html
Yeah, Swami. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz had a conversation scheduled with Lessig after he announced, but she cancelled and has refused to talk to him since. Also no ‘welcome’ letter from the party which all the other candidates received. IMO, this has something to do with an article he did which was critical of the hypocrisy of the democrats who don’t see anything wrong with pay-to-play contributions to the Clinton Foundation, but think the exact same contributions to republicans are graft. I think DWS sees it as her function to preside over the Clinton Coronation and she sees Lessig’s views as heresy.
On a related note, there’s increasing evidence that Bernie ‘won’ the debate, but the editors and the party have selected Clinton. As with Obam, at some point if Bernie is perceived as ‘viable’ there could be a drastic polling shift.
My guess is Lessig was excluded because he’s not remotely a serious candidate, but YMMV I suppose.
On Lessig not being a ‘seroous’ candidate…. he’s not a professional politician, that’s for sure.
Maha has pointed to the existence of policy by the candidates. For a ‘not remotely serious candidate’ these policy positions don’t seem shallow to me. If you bother to read them, there’s a common theme and conclusion. (But I don’t want to spoil it.)
https://medium.com/lessig-on-the-issues
If elected, Lessig has promised to get the Citizen Equality Act passed and then promptly resign, allowing his vice president to become “president of a government that works.â€
Well, that kinda calls into question the issue of seriousness. It’s an absolutely bizarre notion. A presidency based on a contingency? Who does the voter put their hope, faith, and expectations in when casting their vote?
I’m not knocking Lessig for his idea, but any thoughts of that nature (resigning) should be keep deep within his own mind until after he’s secured the first two objectives in his plan. It makes his quest to be President just a stepping stone to a larger objective.And it kinda has a fairy tale essence about it.
The idea of resigning WAS intended to underscore that the president would put ALL his energy into the First Reform – on which all other reforms depend. Your reaction to the notion of resigning has been the popular reaction. That’s why yesterday, Professor Lessig reversed himself on that gesture (resigning the office) because it’s become a distraction.
The problem with that, Doug, is even if he did reverse or retract his stated intention. The damage is already done concerning his undivided commitment in seeking the office of the Presidency for all it’s inherent responsibilities.
I don’t think he should have been left out of the debates though. The issue that he champions is of the utmost importance because it speaks to heart and future of our democracy. I don’t know if the DNC views Lessig as a divisive element in their quest to win the White House in 2016 and for that reason they excluded him.
Bernie Sanders speaks on many issues that I find attractive and consider beneficial to the future of America, but if he doesn’t establish an overwhelming majority in securing the nomination then I wouldn’t consider voting for him. Unfortunately my vote( for what it’s worth) is solely going to be dedicated to stopping the Repugs from claiming the White House . I know that’s not the ideal way to vote in a democracy, but that’s the reality.
You’ve heard the expression?…Circumstances made me a thief..well, electoral circumstances have made me abandon reasoned choice and vote to secure the lesser of evils.
Swami – I’m a pragmatic idealist. 🙂 Statistically, I’m resigned to the probability that I’ll be casting a vote for HRC in November, 2016. (Or I will if I still have the right to vote.) That causes me no distress – she’s far superior to all the GOP candidates – I hope the benefit of her experience will outweigh the shortcomings I see in her as a candidate. UNTIL she’s secured the nomination, I’m supporting more progressive candidates, Lessig and Sanders and I will continue to work to elevate the discussion of money in politics. IMO, Lessig has a function in the election to force unpleasant non-partisan truths about corruption into the public view. As you said so well, (and I may steal your words) “it speaks to the heart and future of our democracy.”