I don't vote!
@Bob Washick I only vote when there's a candidate I want to vote for.
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This was not a true debate - there was not one or two issues pm the floor for each candidate to present their arguments for or against. This was a 'let's get to know you party' without the cocktails - the opportunity to see them all in one place, however that place remains unclear. Without the long awaited platform from the DNC, we will not know how each candidate will represent their party.
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The two-day debate is just the first national presentation of most of the candidates. We must not forget that there are four more who were not included under the rules. There are two more debates coming up and numerous other opportunities to get to know these candidates. We need to take advantage of all these opportunities and choose the candidate who will be the best president among them, not only the most "electable," whatever that means.
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The "debate," really the presentation of the candidates, is important for just that - seeing who is available and what they bring to the table. All are committed to making Trump a one term (or less) occupier of the White House. BUT: after the dust settles, we have to choose who will be our standard bearer, and ALL get on board and support her or him. And this means you, "Bernie bros" and others of similar demeanor: no excuses this time, no staying home because the candidate isn't everything you want him/her to be. That's how Trump hijacked our government.
Democrats are a collection of diverse strands, but we must all band together to be a strong cable, lest be become a collection of frayed lose ends - and suffer under four (or more) more years of Emperor Donald I. Distinguish among the candidates, select, then unite. Simple. Not easy, but we can and must do it.
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"Dramatic moments aren’t as important as the story lines that become set in the aftermath."
"Set." This is the problem with a lot of political journalism. The initial shape of one possible narrative begins to form and journalists "set" it in quickcast concrete as that candidate's story, framing each subsequent development through that not predetermined lens/story.
Stop. Doing. That. Candidates, the electorate, and the political environment cannot be set. All are complex, messy, and yes, sometimes irrational.
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@JBC I agree. The press immediately came out with their "winners" and "losers" trying to spin a story while ignoring some of the participants completely. It would be more helpful if the press could summarize where each of the participants stood on various issues as well as their strengths and weaknesses. Then the public could decide for themselves.
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With all due respect to the author of this article: Do we really need to know what we already knew, especially when the majority of that information was never really relevant? What we definitely know is that hindsight is 20/20 and, watching last night's 'debate,' I have to say that the future looks brighter.
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@Guido Malsh, yes, it did look brighter until SCOTUS just said today that extreme political gerrymandering is just fine with its five conservative members, and thus is "good" for all of us.
A Bob Marley quote is appropriate here: "Get up, stand up / Stand up for your rights.... / Don't give up the fight."
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@CP
Did it really say that? Or, did it say that these battles have to be fought out at the state level?
The formula to win the nomination and the election is not rocket science for a democrat candidate. here it is:
The dos:
Call out Trump for being an ego maniac, law breaking demagogue but don't dwell on it. Offer the public common sense moderate proposals to address the issues that Trump demagogued. Spirit of Roe and not abortion on demand, moderate immigration reform and not open borders, careful tariffs policies on the worst offending nations not a total economic war on the entire world etc. etc.
The number one issue that is a winner, a national, universal, affordable health policy that the rest of our peer countries have.
What not to do?, identity obsess and social engineer like Hillary did. Trump did it on the other extreme and won by a tko.
Voters are looking for moderate views with experience. Right now Biden fits the bill but anybody white, black, male, female, young, old can do it if they follow the formula.
The voters are sick of the extremes ie Trump's white power demagoguery and Hillary's female identity obsessed, social engineering zealotry.
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@Paul that's a very strong personal opinion. I have them too. But please, let's just "make like Republicans" and fall in line with the nominee, not in love.
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@JL-Thank you for your reply. Yes in line with the nominee if they are what America needs. If the democrats nominate another identity obsessed, social engineering east coast liberal type they are in trouble.
They will all but be handing Trump another term.
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@Paul
Good posts. I’d like to see a quick staccato-like recitation from a candidate specifying how Trump’s actions have hurt people, from the environment to consumer goods to nuclear safety. Make Trump’s failings personal to the bloke not fully engaged with policy ins-and-outs.
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