I think Sanders deliberately channels Statler to attract the young and feeble minded. Many now eligible voters were left in front of home entertainment screens staring at the Muppets from toddlerhood.
So out go Julian Castro, Andrew Yang, and the Spanish speaking twins, Beto and Corey, and with them goes talk of immigration and detained children. What about justice reform and the topic of race. Sorry, Booker and Harris took that topic with them. Don’t fret, we can discuss if a white woman can be elected president for the time being. Liberals so white. Maybe It’s CNN’s fault; they asked the questions. Then again, it was in Iowa.
So painfully obvious: Warren should accept the VP slot for 2020, with Bernie for Pres.
Warren - suck it up! Do what's best to get Trump out! Accept VP..
1
I'm not surprised that the corporate pundits didn't mention Biden's worsening stumbling over words. This is Biden vs other Dems. How much worse would it be if it's Biden vs the spoiled brat in the White house. I think Bernie's steadfast resolute reasoning will continue to resonate with more as the process continues.
1
Almost a year ago, Warren and Sanders had a private chat about their campaign intentions... so, why now, unless it's considered necessary as a way to set Warren up to make an "electability" point. This sounds like something right out of Hillary Clinton's "play the victim" then pivot to declare your strength as a "woman." Come on! I considered Elizabeth Warren my second choice, but not any more.
5
I’ve mostly felt that every debate was good & inspiring, with impressive, articulate, competent candidates. Then I read the Comments here, and feel despair. People’s interpretations are so colored by our biases, it’s like we didn’t even watch the same debate! Everything in these Comments is a tormented replay of the opinions I’ve been seeing since 2016. I also feel increasingly like a liberal anomaly— I get so fed up with the Progressive vs Moderate commentary, because I think it’s a false dichotomy, particularly to always lump Sanders & Warren together. I think Warren had one of her best debate nights. I think she is clearly a candidate who can appeal to the “middle”- she started her political career as a Republican for heavens sake, and she’s attacked by both the left & the right, which should tell you she can hold the center! She has a progressive vision, but isn’t opposed to more moderate practicalities. Bernie’s preaching for me shows a problematic unwillingness to adapt his positions to reality. As for all of you accusing Warren of pettiness for Handshake-Gate, the only one I saw acting petty on that stage was Bernie with his mansplaining. I DO worry about a woman’s electability- partially from the rampant misogyny I see in these NYT comments, and the same “I’ll vote for everyone except HER” I saw in 2016. You find HER disingenuous? Then, by what standards can you accept the Liar-In-Chief? Funny moral scale so many of you keep...
3
I just wish that 'sparks flying', 'going on the attack', and wanting to see more of a fight wasn't what the media obsessed on. It is truly tiring.
Isn't it time for us as a culture, as a country and a planet in dire need, to stop treating these debates like a football game ? Everybody, including The New York Times, needs to grow up.
Let's stop hoping for melee and egging on the candidates and audience alike ---- there's plenty of reality TV out there to satisfy that urge.
We may have a real opportunity for fundamental change in this political landscape; critical topics that need constant & serious attention. The last thing we need is to be distracted by the drama the networks hope to drum up for higher ratings.
7
Why does this article ignore the very existence of Tom Steyer?
He actually had a good night in the “debate” and spoke passionately about the existential issue of our time - climate change. He has a track record of environmentalism, managerial skill and personal accomplishment. In so many respects he is the very opposite of trump (benevolent, moral and civil) yet he is also like trump a highly unconventional candidate with the appeal of not being a career politician.
It might be said that of all the candidates last night he had the biggest gain in performance level. And yet for this columnist he was invisible. Why?
10
Some pundits urge Dems to woo back the 2012 white Obama voters who voted Trump in 2016 by nominating a "centrist" candidate. Here's why that won't work:
If we focus mainly on that, we lose the LARGER NUMBER OF Black, Latino, and young voters who voted for Obama in 2012 and then failed to vote in 2016, likely because HIllary was not a convincing advocate. Yes, these actual 2012 Obama voters stayed home in 2016. They OUTNUMBER the much sought-after white voters who switched from Obama to Trump. The Dems should stop ignoring them.
That's the best path to victory in 2020. We need to nominate a candidate that has a chance of turning out young people & "minorities" ---a candidate with legitimacy as their advocate, someone who excites them with the potential for a better future. Not a "so called" moderate with little to offer them.
We WON'T win back the white voters who voted for Trump in the numbers needed to win. That shouldn't be our main focus.
Thus, Biden is a risky candidate, unlikely to win, just as Hillary couldn't win the key states. Warren or Sanders have a chance---particularly Sanders who has strong support among young, Black, and Latino voters needed to win.
More on this in the Jan 7 issue of The Atlantic's article "The Other Swing Voters".
4
Why does this article ignore the very existence of Tom Steyer?
He actually had a good night in the “debate” and spoke passionately about the existential issue of our time - climate change. He has a track record of environmentalism, managerial skill and personal accomplishment. In so many respects he is the very opposite of trump (benevolent, moral and civil) yet he is also like trump a highly unconventional candidate with the appeal of not being a career politician.
It might be said that of all the candidates last night he had the biggest gain in performance level. And yet for this columnist he was invisible. Why?
CNN did a terrible job. There was some seriously biased questions, especially on health care. Are we done with these yet? At this point if you haven't made up your mind, I'm not sure what more we can gain by these debates. So long as they are facilitated by corporate entities with their own agendas, I'm not sure there is anything to gain when the important questions are never asked.
2
Warren's comment on electibility of a woman were something of a cheap shot, at least agaist Biden and Sanders. Warren has only run twice and Klobuchar has only run three times. Biden has run 12 times and Sanders has run 23 times. You take enough shots and you will miss some. It is a valid point against Buttigieg, who lost his first race and the won twice.
A minor mitigation would be that electbility of a woman has been an issue in play.
2
By not shaking Bernie’s hand, Warren showed her true colors. In fact, she comes across as a “mean” girl, and while I think a woman can be elected president, I don’t think that a mean girl can be elected.
5
Good to read comments here. Also good to remember: As a rough sampling of America's general opinion, the NYTs total paid readership is approx. 4.5mil. The voting population of the US is approx. 230mil.
This is a good example of the Intellectual Bubble, or living in the Echo Chamber. What goes on here does little in representing what is happening across the vast spectrum of these United States. (Never mind the rest of the World's 7.2bil inhabitants whose lives inevitably become involved with how the US political winds blow.)
After Trump it seems obvious the US needs a rational, calm, reasoned leader.
Yet, all we get from the media are petty disagreements and personal vendettas. "Takeaways?" These ledes are the simplistic stuff of clickbait material for those assumed not to have attention spans.
What's an electorate to do?
1
Can we cut to the chase?
Every one of these candidates is light years ahead --intellectually, emotionally, morally ethically ahead-- of the manchild who occupies the WH. Every one of them.
We need to speed through this next cycle, select one of them to carry the banner and then get to the hard work (and it will be work) to help them win. Nothing is gained from this wheel spinning and hairsplitting. They share far more than divides them and what divides them is so picayune that bickering over it makes the party look petty.
The only wrong move from here on out is to pull another 2016 "I'm in such a snit because my guy wasn't chosen I'm flouncing out" move. If that happens again, we're done and condemned to four more years of DJT. That would be one thing, and perhaps just desserts if we were the only ones to suffer him, but the world deserves better.
And keep this in mind: It won't be the garden variety of stupid and petty we're currently suffering. Oh, no. The DJT who wins again will rightly know --not believe, *know*-- that he has a mandate to wreak whatever havoc he chooses. We can only pray at that point that his tantrums don't involve a mushroom cloud.
To prevent that, it's imperative that everyone in the party back the chosen nominee, and not anemically but fully and robustly. And truthfully...if we can't even rally around our own candidate, we don't deserve to lead.
I'd rather not be brought to my knees; it's far easier to stand up for any candidate of choice.
My takeaway: If you are for dumping even more money into our 'insurance' paradigm, I can't support you, at least as a primary candidate.
That said, I'll vote for Jar Jar Binks or Vermin Supreme or virtually anyone to the left of GWB if they're running against Trump as the nominee.
http://progressivelibertarian.life/health-insurance-is-insanity/
The report that Biden didn’t really step in it last night is pretty faint praise for the supposed front runner.
Whether or not the Senate winds up calling witnesses in Trump’s trial, possibly including the former VP or his son Hunter, Biden will very much be there during the trial.
Either way, if it comes to pass that the proceedings in any way resemble a trial, and not just a thumbs up or down at Skull and Bones, Biden will come off as both Trump’s victim and the person Republicans believe has the best chance of defeating Trump in the Electoral College. It will be a big boost to Biden’s candidacy.
2
On TV after the debate, as Sanders & Warren conversed, Sanders put out his hand to shake, but she wouldn't. She clasped her hands together as they talked.
Why couldn't she shake his hand? She knew they were on camera.
6
@Meredith Good question. I often carry on a conversation as I'm shaking someone's hands--it's a great way to move quickly into substance while "relating".
I respect Warren, love her policies, but she seems to "take the bait" too easily, and I worry how she'd do against Trump, who is a non-stop baiter. She took it: Trump's atttack on her ancestry; Butti's "How'll you pay for it"; and now this "leak" from her campaign (giving her the benefit of the doubt). Sanders is the most electable candidate at this point, in my view. Rock solid, nothing to hide, no corruption, and strong support from young people who'll knock themselves out for him.
3
I would like to contrast the closing statements of two of the Democratic candidates.
Joe Biden's closing statement was the strongest part of his debate performance. He said that all Americans deserve respect and have dignity, and that this election in large part is about the basic decency of the American people.
- I agree with the many comments here that the rest of his debate performance left much to be desired.
Elizabeth Warren's closing statement was a rambling list of groups of people who should support her, including people with disabilities and people in the LGBTQ+ community, among others. She meant the same sentiment as Joe Biden, and I agree with both of them. But it was a weak way to close her argument. She should have talked about making the United States work for all of us, and rooting out the corruption and perverse influence of money in the halls of government -- central themes of her campaign.
- The rest of her debate performance was mostly much more substantive and productive.
===
I will vote my conscience in the Democratic primary, and then vote blue, no matter who, on Nov 3, 2020.
2
I have a great deal of respect for Elizabeth Warren in most regards. However, I was very disappointed with her allegation that Bernie Sanders privately told her a woman could not be elected president of the United States. I don't buy that.
I find this to be silly, not credible, unproductive, and a distraction from the major issues at hand. I expect better.
And frankly it was the kind of childish remark I would expect from the current occupant of the oval office. "Bernie told me I throw like a girl. But I pitched a perfect game!"
Of course a woman can be president of the United States. And will be in 2020, or soon after.
===
I will vote my conscience in the Democratic primary election. And proudly vote blue, no matter who, on Nov 3, 2020.
Come on, Liz. Keep your eye on the ball, and stay focused on the issues that really matter to the people of the United States.
5
I wish Sanders and Warren put his comment about a woman not winning against Trump aside. I feel it is being taken out of context and she should not have mentioned it. I think those two should run together. They all were decent about presenting a united front against Trump, but I think we cannot afford that type of in fighting to win.
3
I'm glad for all the folks here who can salvage something positive from the debate and who find at least one or two of the candidates effective and strong enough to beat Trump.
Because . . .
Me. I feel hopeless. I don't see any of them as winning because of their solid plans for the country or because of their ability to overcome trump. Maybe I'm being too negative here. I hope so.
2
@kbw You can start by voting in November since PA is a key state... No matter the hurdles, the last one was lost by only a fe thousand votes in key states...
2
So, we all have our preferred candidates.
For example, I prefer anyone BUT Sanders or Warren.
However, I will vote straight ticket no matter the candidate. Because no matter what Dem would win the job, they will be a thousand times better than the clown in the whitehouse now.
Everyone should be doing the same. Not because I' smart or arrogant (or even delusional!), but because too much is at stake here to let petty, ideological differences be the difference in 2020.
And by the way, young people: vote. Please!
9
My takeaway was the fact that Warren and Sanders will be the only ones who would stand against the pressure of warmongers. Buttigieg, Biden and Klobuchar will be more than pleased to bow down to pressure from Netanyahu and his senators like Graham, Cruz, Rubio etc., the same characters who pressured Trump to assassinate Suleimani.
1
So sad that all the commentary I have heard on the debate is about « performance », sparring, delivering a blow...and not about substance. This is not a fight, nor is it a personality contest, it is a debate, and I thought all the candidates did a great job debating the issues.
It was wonderful to be down to 6 debaters, so that they had time to discuss their positions on important issues. I was able to delineate between differing opinions on how to address many important issues facing our country.
Last night I was a proud democrat. Although it seems the media and many people would have liked more of a « show », I was proud to see that the debate on issues did not deteriorate into nastiness. While there was disagreement, there also was respect. I think we are all tired of nasty fighting. Any one of these candidates would be a welcome and capable change, though I prefer the views and ideas of Joe and Amy the most.
5
“reports that Sanders... didn’t believe a woman could be president” — be _elected_ president. It’s a statement about the electorate, not about women.
7
“she invoked her 2012 victory over then-Senator Scott P. Brown, Republican of Massachusetts” — oh please. Brown got elected in MA unexpectedly due to his opponent’s complacency. Winning statewide race in MA as a Democrat is no achievement. Cam she win swing states?
6
I think the Democrats would be better off if they cancelled any further debates and moved up the convention.
The Warren camp need to get control over their narrative, the missed handshake is a big deal in an age of every moment being caught and shown endlessly.
Not sure if it was intentional or not, but she should know better.
Would suggest all the candidates watch the many seasons of VEEP available online as a guidebook to what not to do or should do in a campaign.
I have very little confidence in any of their strategists at this point.
2
Not enough talk about the environment. That’s ridiculous.
2
Here is the 7th take away: All of these candidates are either uninspiring or hopelessly too far left.
So it's Trump in a landslide this year.
5
The alleged remark about women being elected to the presidency was much ado about nothing.
The handshake incident was much ado about nothing. I watched the video several times and I don't think she saw his outstretched hand.
Stress is understandably high at this point in the campaign. The candidates seem to be handling it better than their supporters, judging from the comments on Facebook. I support Bernie and I am hopeful that his supporters can learn to save their anger for Trump. I can't imagine anything worse than Biden becoming the nominee. He will lose.
I am for Sanders because I believe wholeheartedly that the average person is getting pushed out of the economy, education, and especially health care. I believe Sanders has the best understanding of the problems and the best plans for addressing those problems. Let's stop arguing over who said what and who didn't shake someone's hand. Let's get some real help for people who need it.
7
@CS Journalists can't help themselves, always looking for a story. And not a long, complicated story.
Stop the presses!
She wouldn't shake his hand!
I think they both handled this trivial matter well. It appears there was a misunderstanding between them as to what exactly Bernie was saying. Neither dwelt on that and both had good comments on a woman's chances. Senator Warren's were especially good.
I think a lot of people, I guess including me, are still a little concerned about a woman going up against Trump.
1
@Jack Toner they were concerned about whether a black man could win an election in 2008 too. I think we can all agree that this is a trivial matter in the face of other much more pressing issues in our nation.
It probably doesn't matter which Democrat receives the nomination. The general election outcome is no longer in doubt if unemployment stays low and the stock market remains high through November 2020. I think Trump will win. Sigh.
3
@Convince Me Unemployment overall is low, true. But it hasn't seen much positive change in the states Trump won in 2016, especially among working class people. There is an exploitable niche for a candidate who can truly address those issues. IMO Biden can't do this but Bernie sure could.
2
@Convince Me He's still well underwater in the polls. In years past your prediction would be a strong one but things may well be quite different this time.
No way that the election outcome is no longer in doubt. If we're the underdogs than we need to work harder!
@Convince Me It is generally the case that economy dictates the fate of a sitting president. However, instead of being a uniter who wants to increase his reach, and saying that this economy allows us to promote world peace and heal internal divisions, he keeps on exacerbating the nationalist & divisive policies that got him elected. It's as if Trump is still running in the GOP primary as a far-right candidate, rather than a sitting president for the general.
I've been rooting for Klobuchar since Day 1. But her performance on this debate was disappointing. Each time her repeated refusal to stop making her points after the moderators said "time up" conveys a sense of DESPERATION. Is her campaign floundering??
3
@Arthur Schwartz The time allowed to the candidates was absurdly short. Enough for a sound bite or two. Absolutely ridiculous. And of course the journalists asking the questions are always looking for gotcha moments.
The moderators are too much in control. They need to lean back. Climate change came up but, no, it wasn't time for that topic so all momentum was lost.
It ain't about the dang moderators.
4
Why no mention of Steyer? I decided on him last night, despite CEOs making the worst presidents.
2
@Helen Wheels His passion was very attractive but at this point the narrative is that he has no chance so journalists don'w want to waste ink on him.
2
I think Sanders telling Warren she can’t win is ridiculous.
1
Well it’s not true. He denied and she refused to back it up. Seems like she is bending the truth.
1
@Michael Livingston’s Well what exactly did he say? His response to this was pretty strong.
My take is that is that if we really need votes from white working-class mid-westerners Senator Warren will have a hard time. She is, in fact, leaning hard on identity. Plus her affect is not well suited to appealing to those mid-westerners.
But her affect is good for appealing to moderate Republican suburbanites.
2
Why has Steyer been ignored in this piece completely?! He woke me up with his answer on education.
4
Q: Why do we have to endure this?
A: Because this nonsense support a huge industry.
2 years of endless blather. For what?
8
I would be pleased if either Bernie or Elizabeth got the nomination.
I am really annoyed at the way - Warren herself, apparently - and the media sprang this ‘gotcha’ question on Bernie. It has ZERO credibility: everyone knows by now that Bernie absolutely is not a chauvinist.
If there is any shred of truth to the remark, I could see Bernie acknowledging that in the era of Trumpism, where chauvinism is on blatant display as something to wield in defiance, women would face a particular challenge.
BOTH candidates would have better served their supporters if they acknowledged this plain fact and doubled down on fighting it together. This moment should have been handled better by the both of them. Warren making this claim, of all things, as a way to put some light between herself and Bernie was a poor choice. Bernie, by flatly denying he made the claim, when intelligent people could understand why this would be a reasonable topic, gave Elizabeth no room to backpedal, a bad idea.
I’m ashamed for both of them, but - pressed to make a choice on the matter - my common sense puts me on Bernie’s side.
A woman won the popular vote in 2016. There are still two women standing in 2020. One is a front runner. PLEASE. Let’s stop with the identity politics and move on to the pressing issues: the climate crisis, income and wealth inequality, health care, and the despair among the working classes.
15
The media drum-up of a Warren vs. Bernie conflict is disturbing and only serves to direct focus away from much more important things that were talked about during the debate like climate change and health care.
Stop being baited into this reality show-like drama, people.
14
At this point there is no way Warren can beat Trump. Even before the events of the past few weeks, she was tied (with Pete) for worst performance in head to head matchups against Trump. I had been slightly discounting these, thinking “well, maybe the party can unite behind her and we could change those polls with hard work”. But with her campaign’s absolutely vicious and groundless attacks on the most popular grassroots candidate the party has in this election, I highly doubt that even if she were to win the primary we would have enough enthusiasm for her to change her unfavorable polling. A vote for Warren at this point is clearly a vote for Trump.
8
@Brad I think I will vote for Warren.
2
CNN corporate framing of questions was over the top. For example Bernie being asked as a matter of fact that medical would bankrupt the country. Then playing a medical insurance add during the break who bankrupt Americans.
Do we ever hear questions from a progressive side such as “Over 40,000 Americans die each year from lack of proper medical coverage while many others suffer without proper care. You currently support policy that continues this system. Care to explain why?”
See the difference.
11
In the 2016 election there were too few debates before the Democratic primary and this time it appears there are too many. It looks like nothing of consequence really happened in this one. Unless something big happens it would seem that Biden is in the best situation to win. It appears he will do well enough in the largely racially white states of Iowa and New Hampshire and then have the advantage in the racially diverse states that follow. Unless another candidate can make real inroads with the black vote Biden appears to be the favorite to be the nominee.
2
@Kristin. Do you like Trumps words with 15K lies, his actions, and tweets these last 3 years? Are YOU and those around you better off with this President? If you stay home bored and not excited to vote, then you may realize a kind of excitement that are worse than your nightmares. So Kristin, I have found in the last 64 years that life is a lot of work and excitement and fun are rare. It is still fulfilling and valuable. Pick a candidate or cause that matches your goals and are also good for America and give them some of your time, it is rewarding and even at times exciting!
1
Really didn’t think the Democratic Debates could devolve to such low; the DNC should ban CNN from hosting further debates as CNN has turned what should been an informative discussion of the issues into fourth grade chatter.
Democrats are irrelevant and a looming cyclone is heading straight at them.
8
Longing for the day when someone evaluates the actual politics in play, the issues and choices facing voters, rather than news hacks opining about a high school debate...
2
As a progressive Democrat (aged 79), I was disappointed once again in the professional political class. Did any of them address the global climate emergency where we're seeing the continent of Australia on fire? No! Only the non-professional, Tom Steyer, brought it up and he's considered the non-person in the debate. This is how far that we've strayed from reality when we're into the pettiness of whether or not a woman is electable and the tension between Sanders and Warren. Remember, Hillary Clinton was elected! But the election was stolen in the Electoral College with the assistance of Paul Manafort , the Russians, and James Comey. What's the point of debating health care when the environment will be causing monumental damage to our health and well-being, especially if Trump is re-elected. The "can't see the forest for the [burning] trees" myopia of the all-white chorus of beltway insiders was disheartening both for our very survival and for any hope of beating Donald Trump. I can now see why the Republican voters picked an outsider in 2016. Maybe it's time to have separate debate featuring all the outsiders--Michael Bloomberg, Deval Patrick, Tom Steyer, and Andrew Yang--and allow the voters to get a fresh, more diverse perspective on those candidates. The only Democrats to win in my lifetime were all outsiders from Jimmy Carter to Bill Clinton to Barack Obama. Michael Bloomberg has the money; how about it, Mike? We need real change not to be short-changed.
10
What about VP Truman and Senator Kennedy, were they chopped liver?
1
All I can say is - Go Amy. She’s a tough smart woman from the Midwest who would chew up and spit out Donald Trump in any debate, and is amply qualified for the presidency. Oh and did I say - Go Amy?!
14
Here is a big takeaway:
NOBODY had the guts to ask Biden about the elephant in the room:
"Joe, please tell us how your son Hunter got a million dollar salary from the Ukraine gas company Burisma Holdings when Hunter did not have any previous experience in energy or the Ukraine."
18
Don't worry. Senator McConnell will ask Old Joe and Hunter that question when they testify as witnesses in Trump's impeachment trial.
Warrens win over first term Senator Brown was a given as soon as she entered the race. Brown was a down home boy who still drove around town in his pickup. He was also a republican in a heavily democratic state. Warren's crowing about her win over an incumbent is a bit misleading. A dog catcher would have won as long as they were enrolled in Democratic party.
9
1. Warren beat a terrible and very conservative Republican in a very liberal state in a Democratic wave election.
2. She refused to run on a single payer health care system (M4A), angering activists in Massachusetts, because she knew that even in Massachusetts she would lose that election.
3. She is now running on a message that she previously rejected as being unelectable that is completely disconnected from the 2020 electorate where she must win in states that aren't Massachusetts.
She and Sanders want to take us Democrats on an electoral suicide mission. We should refuse.
8
@OrchardWriting
The policies of the corporate status quo led to Trump. We’re in a suicide pact if we continue to go that direction literally.
3
@Jackson
The corporate status quo is continuation of healthcare, housing, and education as extractive rentier economic models.
This was the best of the debates I have seen. All of the candidates we’re in good form and spoke their pieces well and clear, though Klobuchar was a little klutzy on the Kansas governor line. Biden was fine but Sanders shone & was the most convincing of the golden bunch to my mind’s eye. I didn’t think he could win, but perhaps his mildly outraged enthusiasm is what will be needed to beat the outraged and outrageous clown in the White House. Thumbs up for the good guys, and no, a woman certainly can win the Presidency (it will happen sooner or later), as Hillary showed in the last election, but was ultimately denied in the end by outrageous fortune and pernicious opponents.
3
The New York Times is right about the lack of specificity. Saying Iran won't get a nuclear weapon but not explaining how we prevent it.
Saying get the troops out of the Middle East but not completely.
No plan for preventing ISIS from reconstitution.
Too much time spent on whether a female can be elected president. Such as arguing about when Bernie was elected. Was it 30 years ago or that doesn't count.
5
The comments here are more insightful than the debate.
The Sanders supporters sound fanatical -- ready to take the ship down in November by staying home if it is not their man at the top of the ticket.
The question is asked over and over, who can defeat Trump?
It's the wrong question.
The right one is whether everyone on the Democratic side of the equation understands they have to show up in November no matter who the nominee is?
It's not who is absolutely best to take on this malevolent, maladroit president to return decency, civility, and intelligence to our government, but whether we all understand that whoever it is we all better show up and vote.
184
@Carl Zeitz Bernie supporters sound a lot like Trump supporters in their blind enthusiasm. Bernie's not my guy, but if he's the nominee, he's got my vote. I don't see what sitting home gets you except for 4 more years of insanity.
17
My Republican Mother has often remarked, quoting some pundit or other I’m sure, ‘Democrats fall in love, but Republicans fall in line.’ Chilling rhetoric, and proving true so far in this cycle, just like the last one. If the Bernites stay home again and tank everything (again), I will cease muttering at them under my breath in favor of loudly shouting at them in the streets. I just don’t see how they can live with the threats they’re making - so selfish, so juvenile. Unity yields broad change but isolation only leads to bitter despair.
21
@Carl Zeitz If it true that Sanders supporters will stay home if he's not the nominee, surely the only reasonable thing to do is to nominate him. No other candidate has such a significant amount of their base that will refuse to vote for anyone else. If we are serious about beating trump, nominating the person who can hold together the largest amount of the coalition is a moral imperative.
11
Here's the big takeaway:
Trump will steamroll over any of those candidates in November.
17
@99percent By then, he will be ready to propose changes to the constitution to allow a 3rd term?
I'm blaming the moderators for even asking about what Bernie Sanders might have said a year ago to Elizabeth Warren, and I'm blaming the NY Times for headlines about whether or not Bernie offered a handshake, which was or wasn't rejected, after the debate. Talk about nitpicking.
Why didn't the moderators ask about where the country is headed under the Trump administration? About the children in cages and the parents deported? About all these partisan, unqualified judges? About Puerto Rico?
I was particularly taken aback when the moderators asked about Bernie's socialism, but never brought up the larger topic of how far right this country has swung, or that most people can't even define what socialism really is.
We've really lost sight ofthe big picture.
22
My takeaway was this: Advancing the progressive agenda is not Warren's top priority. If it were, she wouldn't be attempting to smear the only other progressive in the race. I doubt that's what her supporters want her to do.
Her claim is dubious, since Bernie lobbied for her to run back in 2015. The timing is also dubious. A conversation that took place a year ago is suddenly important to you 3 weeks before Iowa? Spare me.
20
Go home Joe. No one is interested in hearing your selective memory. It's becoming more clear every day that the buffoon in the white house was right - fake news.
10
It is frustrating to hear these candidates talk about who and how are they going to pay for healthcare and prescription drugs when none of these candidate talk about the junk food being served at school for lunch- Pizza slices in the middle of the day ( really?), the vending machines that sells high sugar drinks at High Schools, the almost none existence recess time for elementary students. Let's focus there first.
People, and especially those in the media, need to remember the lessons of 2016. Specifically the lesson that Russian "hackers" will exploit any perceived rift to divide and conquer American politics. Bernie and Warren fans stand on the same side of the vast majority of issues and it serves no one's interested to attack one another, unless you're a Russian troll sowing chaos. At the end of the day it does not matter what Bernie said in a private conversation. It does not matter. What matters is supporting your preferred candidate and being willing to shift to a second or third choice as the primaries continue.
10
I missed the debates. I was hoping to hear what TOM STEYER had to say. Was he not there? Your coverage mentions him once? I can’t believe that he did not participate more. Who are YOU to write off his candidacy? He has the most urgency and a sound plan for addressing climate change. He has put his money where his mouth is on the issue. He understands that racial injustice exists in the country. He’s experienced but not ancient. Give him more respect and coverage!
9
The last thing the dems need is another mean spirited, thin skinned candidate. I have appreciated E. Warren's plans and grasp of the issues but....you HAVE to be bigger than that shame on you Elizabeth for sinking to the level of Trump.
7
Regarding electability America is too misogynistic a country to elect a woman for President just as it was too racist to elect a black man to be President.
7
Biden- Klobuchar ticket. Biden pledges or hints at one term giving Amy the 2024 nomination. Amy solidifies suburban women and helps carry Midwest, Pennsylvania and traditional blue states and Joe locks up coastal states. Florida in play but Arizona turning purple. Hopefully Castro will work hard for the ticket.
2
Trump supporter here surprised by someone actually discussing political strategy that might actually work.
Come on, NYT. This is what you call out as the “most interesting moment”? That’s ridiculous. Let’s focus on substantive issues, in this time when we decry the erosion of media standards.
“Perhaps the most interesting moment for Ms. Klobuchar came when she had a brief brush with catastrophe by appearing to momentarily forget the name of the governor of Kansas, Laura Kelly. Ms. Klobuchar briefly bowed her head, mumbled, before spitting out the name: “Governor Kelly.””
9
I think this was the most tepid debate performance I’ve ever seen, which is no trifle to say. Not a single one of these candidates looks like they have what it takes to defeat our sitting President, and that’s really sad. You’d think it would be more interesting to hear what each one of these candidates would like to do with other people’s property, and yet it wasn’t. I just wanted to go to sleep as I listened, and I’m sure that’s what anyone would be thinking (to the extent they were actually watching instead of going about their affairs). The predictions markets now have Trump with a 50 plus percent chance of winning another term. In reality it’s more like 80. My hope was that Bloomberg would emerge as the obvious choice in a very weak field since I think the country could use an off ramp with all the polarization, but Democrats can’t seem to help themselves and continue to view a track record of being tremendously successful as a political liability, which makes no sense whatsoever unless the goal is to fight the “good fight” and lose.
7
Warren refusing to shake Bernie's hand was the "highlight" of the night, and enough for me to say that I will never vote for her. She is a conwomen of the Trump ilk that will say and do anything for power, whether that's to pretend to be Native American, accuse Bernie of being sexist, or play as a middle class person while teaching at Havard.
41
@LonghornSF attitudes like that got us Trump. Vote for the Democrat candidate please
22
@MEH
I certainly hope she won't be the candidate.
5
@LonghornSF Jeesh! Vote for the Democrat whoever it is..... ANY of the Dem candidates are far superior to Trump. If Trump doesn't get us into WWIII, he will surely move us closer to climate catastrophe by dismantling our environmental protections. Suffice it to say that Trump and his spineless cronies are on the wrong side of every challenging issue facing America today with catastrophic results.
Petty squabbling over who the Dem nominee will be-- and proclaiming which Dem you could never vote for ----- is dangerous, fool hardy and wholly misguided!
Vote straight Dem up and down the ballot to keep Trump from taking us off the cliff.
6
I will never vote for Bernie. His proposals are dangerous and outrageous.
21
@Mike ah yes, so outrageous to propose middle of the road social democratic policies that exist in every other advanced economy. So dangerous to vigorously argue for species saving interventions to prevent catastrophic warming.
28
So you would rather vote for Trump than Bernie, if he is the nominee of the Democrats? Does this mean Trump is not dangerous? Or making outrageous decisions? Curious
14
@Mike
Like our current medical system that has over 40,000 people die per year while millions of people go untreated or forgo medication because of costs?
They fight and the focus is the conflict. They don’t fight and the focus is the lack of conflict. Where’s the substance here?
6
What I've appreciated most is that the candidates haven't been tearing into each other, as CNN apparently wanted them to. All that does is give ammunition to trump. The candidates need to keep their powder dry for the fight with trump. None of the candidates reflects perfectly my view and I don't find any of them particularly inspiring. But at this point, I'm not looking for inspiration. I'm looking for competence, sanity and human decency. Any of the candidates will do.
9
I haven't watched any of the debates. I voted for Obama (very eloquent) and then Trump (very entertaining). The only Democrats I would consider voting for are Bloomberg and Klobuchar. Warren and Sanders can never win the election -- too far left. And Biden acts and looks too old. I can't imagine him debating Trump.
5
@Carol
If you want a rich guy Steyer is better. He at least had the right vision for the country and seemed honest.
Bloomberg should run as a Republican. He simply represents rich corporate democrats and republicans.
2
@Carol
You voted for Trump - "Very entertaining!"
Burning down the world - "Very entertaining!"
And there we have the bottom line on the American electorate - "It's all just a TV show." No wonder the rest of the civilized world looks at us with scorn.
My takeaways:
Any one of them would be a competent president and commander in chief. Every one of the would be infinitely superior to the current occupant of the Oval Office.
Joe Biden is the likely nominee. He will have to rely on his decency to win, as he’s uninspiring, seems forgetful, and is clearly past his prime.
The Warren-Sanders can a woman be president tiff is a made-for-the-media nothingburger. They’re both great.
I’m voting for Elizabeth in the primary, would be happy with Sanders, but will vote blue no matter who for president, Trump has to go.
11
The mainstream corporate media working with establishment Democrats are trying to split progressives Bernie and Warren... and thus help Biden. As in 2016, Bernie has an uphill battle against the Democratic Party establishment. If you want to ensure a Trump victory, perhaps landslide win, Dems will again choose a middle of roader like Biden. Please ask yourself. .. what has Biden accomplished in 40 years in public office? Nothing significant.
2
The last debate left me feeling hopeful. The Democratic field felt like a lot of intelligent people who may have had a variety of different approaches to solving the nation’s problems, but they agreed on what the problems are and the importance of working together to beat Donald Trump.
Last night’s debate left me feeling depressed. The Democratic field felt like they’re all desperately trying to win over one particular imaginary voter who seems like the creation of the media instead of someone who actually exists while ignoring the concerns of real people. They were all out for themselves and tying themselves in ideological knots and none of them felt like winners.
Trump lies. The people who don’t mind presidents who lie are going to vote for Trump. The way to beat Trump is to appeal to those sick of lies by telling the truth - by which I mean the actual truth, and not the pre-Trumpian traditional political doublespeak. That doesn’t cut it anymore. Last night I felt all the candidates revert to that mode and it was dispiriting.
6
Why did you overlook the insipid embarrassing performance by CNN?
Perhaps if the news media would ask serious questions about the many difficult issues that face us, there would have been a genuine discussion.
CNN should be barred from ever hosting another debate.
19
Shame on Warren. Politics is a dirty game but she’s clearly gone too far. I thought she had a good debate other than this issue and the non-handshake but this should really cause folks to re evaluate her character.
10
The woman who had prepared all her life to be President will unfortunately never get that wish fulfilled. Her name is Hillary and we will never forget how the office was ripped away from her and she was denigrated in the most small and measly way by a man not fit to shine her shoes. We will watch evil fall and be chased from the streets of our Capitol.
6
Let’s be blunt: of all the many things that made Hillary the most qualified candidate in 16 (or even the past 50 years), her gender was not even on the list, let alone anywhere near the top. Voters who supported Hillary mainly because she is a woman and “it’s past time for a woman President” were actually being as frivolous with their votes as voters who (ostensibly) would not vote for her because she is a woman. Gender is not a job qualification. A sex change operation would never improve Trump.
That said, Hillary did win the popular vote by a substantial amount, but that’s not where we elect our presidents. Hillary got the most votes but in the wrong places; she wasn’t strong enough to carry the states whose electors, cumulatively, matter. IOW, she carried places like CA that a Republican wouldn’t win anyhow, but came up short in the rural and rust belt states that matter more.
Now, that’s a kind of diverse and universal disenfranchisement that is truly, deeply unAmerica ... and all just to preserve an obsolete system that was designed to protect slavery and make sure country folk would always hold the upper hand over city folk. It’s still with us, which is why neither Bloomberg nor Sanders could carry the electors of those God-fearing, Rapture-anticipating rural precincts where sexual orientation or gender is perhaps somewhat less of an issue than before, but not at least professing to be Christian is a stone cold deal-breaker.
1
I'm sure this will be an unpopular comment but so be it. Many other commenters are expressing doubts whether any of these candidates can defeat President Trump. I think that comment translated is that there is doubt that any of them have what it takes to lead the country.
9
Well Trump doesn’t have the chops to lead the country, so I will settle for someone who isn’t abjectly insane
19
@Jon Alexander We need higher standards than that. We do need someone to lead the country and the world. Stop settling.
@ladyluck The perfect candidate is an illusion. If we keep waiting for her or him we will doom our country to another four years of utter incompetence and its long term consequences. (Not to mention greed and malfeasance.) Please be realistic; we don’t need a savior. We need an electable team of two ethically and morally sound candidates with common sense.
2
First, CNN runs an awful debate; their choice of questions showed a greater desire to spark a Twitter moment than help voters, and their choice of moderators reflected poor judgment, as there was simply no seasoning or maturity by those asking questions and interrupting a candidate's reasonable effort to simply finish a response coherently. Second, all the candidates were well spoken if imperfect, thoughtful if not always precise, and tilted towards the public good with a civic conscience; compared to almost anyone in today's GOP, this is notable.
One excellent result of the NYTs Editorial Board Q/A is the thematic notes each candidate seems to hit repeatedly, notes that were on display last night. Sen Warren thinks the world is little more than corrupt and that the main job of government is to remedy what doesn't work for 15% of the country regardless of the impact on the other 85. Sen Sanders thinks it is government's job to do for people what they aren't doing for themselves. Biden, Klobuchar, and Buttigieg believe the country has problems to solve but that it takes partnership to do so.
Some combination of Biden, Klobuchar, and Buttigieg - in temperament as well as content - is what the country needs. The question is whether the Democratic Party will self immolate between now and November, nominating Sen Warren or Sen Sanders, and assure four more years of dishonesty and narcissism.
14
@czb don’t discount Michael Bloomberg. He has “the right stuff”- temperament, experience, intelligence, dedication to the issues of climate change, health , education, gun control, the welfare and betterment of future American lives.
Better morality and the stronger faith create everything better - the better economy, society, education, science, transparency, communication and cooperation.
The better system of values is the very foundation of every important aspect of our lives.
Destroy the social morality and you will destroy the society too.
Good for Michael Bloomberg that is using some spare change($100 millions) not to beat up on his rivals but to give Trump a black eye.
19
One thing that is painful to talk about, but needs to be, as too much is on the line; is both Biden & Sanders are virtually guaranteed to be one term Presidents. It’s uncomfortable but Biden has already suggested committing to that, and Sanders heart problems will assure that’s the case. Leaving dems without the advantage of incumbency in 2024. I believe Warren is the unity candidate. It’s not trivial that she came out of nowhere, beat a popular incumbent Senator, and had created the CFPB out of thin air before even considering running for elected office.
8
The ability of the Democrats to win this election will hinge on the economy. Voters, by in large, measure the success of a president by how the wallet is doing. So, here's a thought: agree with Trump that the economy is humming along and push ideas to keep it going. Demonstrate the interest is what matters most to many voters. Stop arguing.
Health Care: Let's get it straight, it is about health insurance! You have to be able to pay to get care and that is the argument. Stop arguing and just lower the age of eligibility for Medicare. Or, if you retire before 65, you should be eligible for Medicare. It's not complicated.
Of course climate change is a crisis, but too many people cannot grasp the vastness of this travesty. When elected, the agenda includes climate change, which is tied to the economy and the wallet.
I do not feel these debates are helpful as the questions asked, at times, are ridiculous. Show me how a Democrat will work with Republicans to solve problems and not constantly fight about the issues.
3
My take away is that none of candidates who are pitching student loan forgiveness want to hold people responsible.
Why reward wreckless borrowers? Why let the colleges and universities off the hook? They should pay for any debt forgiveness.
4
Being in New Hampshire I seem to get daily text messages to attend stump speeches by candidates and their local shills. I stay home. But I tell all of them that it really doesn’t matter which Dem gets the nomination. All that matters is that the person be able to beat Trump in the general election. And some of the texters actually agree.
Dumping trump and flipping the senate are critical to saving what’s left of America. Nothing else matters.
12
These made for TV debates are a waste of time to watch. The long drawn out American election process is failing to keep my interest. Wake me up when we know who the candidate is.
8
It’s ridiculous that Andrew Yang was not on the stage despite polling higher than Klobuchar and Steyer. I guess the Democrats just want to lose another election to Trump.
12
Here’s a seventh takeaway: Can we take away from the debate stage a billionaire who has purchased his spot at the podium? As a middle class American struggling to make ends meet, I find Steyer comes across as a vain, condescending blowhard. I am looking for a candidate who is prepared to lead and fight for the American people, not more airtime to hear himself talk.
7
If debates will matter in the general election, Democrats need to land points in a heated debate with President Trump, who will rattle his opponent.
Let’s start playing to win, instead of trying not to lose.
3
Over the course of nearly five decades the Democratic Party (and the Republican Party) has succeeded in reducing the process of selecting a presidential candidate to that of a reality TV show, going under the guise of Presidential Debates. It is a travesty that we go through this to select the person who could go on to hold the highest office in the land. Look at what this kind of process has gotten us today. Serious issues for the American public like healthcare, climate change, student debt, etc. get reduced to easy sound bites like “Medicare for All,” which is merely a campaign slogan as meaningful as “Tippecanoe and Tyler too!” What troubles me the most about the so-called debates is that the questions are framed mostly by TV celebrities - who may have at one time been credible journalists - who want to throw out red meat questions to stir up controversy instead of getting to the core of vitally important policy issues.
I applaud the NYTimes in their effort to engage in more meaningful dialogues with candidates that have been published over the past few days. The separate colloquies between the editorial staff and Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren were in-depth, meaningful, and educational. Thank-you!
13
“How the Health Insurance Industry (and I) Invented the ‘Choice’ Talking Point”
Let’s steer the discussion back to healthcare. Has anyone read the excellent opinion piece above by Wendell Potter?
To combat Medicare-for-All, the healthcare industry has created the false narrative that you’ll have no choice in healthcare providers. All this from an ex-healthcare executive who appears to champion Medicare-for-All.
We need Medicare for All right now!
Thank you Mr. Potter.
5
Amy Klobuchar got a bigger bump from the ipsos viewer poll than anyone else, which means they are slowly coming to realize how extremely qualified she is and what a pragmatic pick she would be. She has been making steady progress in the polls and may surprise people in Iowa and other caucuses. Assuming they can get over their obsessive focus on her looks and "likeability."
16
@Kate
Of course she's always been the most capable candidate of them all.
8
On a gut level, the riff between Sanders and Warren is turning me off of my so-far favorite candidates. If they can't work things out between themselves -- and take debate time away from the climate crisis, for instance -- why should we think that, as president, either of them would be able to work things out with Republicans and their heavy funders? That's a knee-jerk reaction, but one that other voters out there may be having. I haven't written either of them off yet, but so much is determined by emotions, which need to be based on research.
Buttigieg scored on preparedness and Steyer scored on the climate, thus complicating my decision.
6
I didn't watch the debate and I apparently didn't miss anything of value. I would take ANY of these candidates over the sick puppy we currently have. That said, I don't see how Democrats have much choice anymore. It will take a populist that can energize voters and sweep into the Whitehouse and only one candidate has anything close to that at this point. If Bernie fails to get the nomination this time we will have an emboldened extreme right ready to take this country to a place none of us should ever want to go and the consequences will last lifetimes. Only the youth vote can save us now.
4
Elizabeth wardens remark on winning and losing contests was a tad disingenuous. One could hear her saying that the female candidates hadn’t learned fortitude. For warren, a liberal winning in a liberal state - big deal! Klobucher had a stronger case about what it meant.
5
Perhaps Bernie didn’t throw his support behind Hillary, not because she was a woman, but because she and the DNC conspired again his campaign.
10
Bernie did throw his support to Hillary, campaigned vigorously for her, and urged his supporters to vote for her.
This was despite him being conspired against by the DNC (as documented in the leaked emails) and harmed by the oversize number of superdelegates that the DNC empowered and essentially handed to Hillary before the race even started.
4
@Larry And why shouldn't they? Bernie jumps on the Democratic ticket for his own purposes, otherwise stays in his impenetrable independent party. He does nada for the party and regardless of whether you think parties count or like the idea , they do. Debate questions should be better assembled and framed. Voters must choose the most important question this year: who can beat Trump. Before anything else!
3
@Larry
You mean he shouldn’t have supported her, but did. The man is a class act!
1
My most important issues are foreign policy and healthcare. Buttigieg served in Afghanistan, and knows the uses of our military and the perils of forever wars first hand. Buttigieg’s plan for universal coverage ensures lowers costs and universal coverage in a way that can actually get through Congress. In the debate last night, the coherence of his responses showed yet again why he’d be a great president.
6
Once again identity consciousness is dividing people on what the real focus should be— class consciousness. America is a profoundly unequal place. Moral purity tests only divide and distract from the issues. Wages have stagnated and inequality is higher than ever.
7
Poverty? Income Gap? Immigration? In my view outside of the muddled responses on health thiscarethe debate did not touch many of the kitchen table issues that regular folks are most concerned with.
Not one candidate spoke to the hearts as well as the minds of the voters. None presented themselves as leaders who working class voters can identify with.
Out of touch with the reality of peoples' lives.
Mr. Trump will be reelected by a comfortable margin.
7
I agree that the most memorable moment and the one that will be shown on TV was after the debate when Warren, who leaked a story with the improbable charge that Bernie would say privately a woman could never be elected President, by refusing to shake his hand. she appeared petulant and she will regret not shaking his hand. I also thought that using the word Mamas instead of moms demeaned people of color. They know who has helped them and who hasn't.
9
@alan brown
Yes! "Mamas." I had to shut the whole thing done after that. But consider, she did restrain herself from saying "baby mamas." Hillary Clinton was criticized for purportedly shifting accent and dialogue to suit audiences. But never "mamas."
2
@alan brown
" Mamas" is not a word which "demeans black women". Lots of people in the south of all colors use "mamas and daddies" to describe parents. I say to my grandson-who is white and Native American, " Go ask Mama."
I do think that it came across as a bit clunky and overly folksy but it is not racist. She is so intelligent and sensible but I do not think that she can either be nominated or win a general election.But to accuse her of being racially insensitive is unwarranted.
5
The issue that was on the minds of the Democratic voters who turned out in record numbers for the 2018 mid-term elections was health care.
Donald Trump campaigned in 2016 to eliminate Obamacare and replace it with a "beautiful" and cheaper health care plan, that has yet to be outlined. Republicans voted over 50 times in the past 6 years to eliminate Obamacare.
Aren't the Democratic candidates missing the boat here? It's not politics of fear if they hammer out to the electorate that the Republican Party doesn't give a hoot about them and their families. What would the Republicans be doing if the shoe was on the other foot?
The barrage would be relentless.
6
Regardless of who ends up being the Democratic nominee, what a relief to see politicians speaking intelligently, coherently and truthfully.
9
Every person on the stage at the Democratic Debate last night is smarter, more moral, and mores presidential than the man currently occupying the Oval Office.
Democrats unite and just vote for 'the Democrat'-- in all races-- statewide, for the US Senate/ House, and for President.
Only then can we restore democratic values, respect for the rule of law, repair alliances, address poverty, and take the urgent action climate change demands.
19
The real takeaway:
The game show format is a joke, how about asking the candidates to write their answers to agreed upon critical questions with or without a word count limit.
The ninety minutes of bickering and gotcha questions is not productive.
16
It looked like a Sunday School class at an all White Church.This is really going to motivate youngsters and people of color to vote? Saunders and Warren were both feed red meat and both chose to act like vegetarians. None of the front runners showed me the toughness that I think is needed to take on Trump. Trump made Jeb Bush look like a kid who he took his lunch money from.
2
I hope I am wrong, but this old white woman sees in these NYT comments deriding Warren a piling on by men, young and old, against a woman in classic gender bias form. Warren didn't invite this story about what Sanders said in their private meeting. But once the story came out, Sanders escalated it by "yelling" that he could never have said such a thing and calling the story a lie - and, then Warren a liar when she tried to speak the truth. Sanders doesn't see his gender bias - men rarely do. I regret that this story has gotten so much media attention and doubly regret that it shows how hard it is for women who stand up for themselves. That said, my focus is still on defeating Trump and supporting any eventual Democratic standard bearer.
10
@R.
Warren should have said publicly before debate night, "Oh dear, my friend Bernie must be stuck in another epoch if he thinks a woman cannot be president. On the other hand you voters have me, a bright election-worthy woman living in tune with the 21st Century." Period.
Instead she raised this to a petulant pitch, when she could have dismantled him with a quick swipe.
3
Uninspiring, the whole crew of them.
As I did in 2016, I'll hold me nose and vote for anyone but Trump.
7
Warren's immature "I'm not talking to you" posture as to Sanders is so 14-years-old.
23
Pretty empty horse race oriented article. Point in time nonsense. Anyone who decides on a candidate based on a debate or a momentary memory lapse, should spend some time reviewing positions. And yes, who can win in November is absolutely critical. Period, full stop.
6
The "woman as president" was a hollow, time-squandering distraction from public schools full of asbestos, jobs taken over by AI, opioid deaths AND a choking, plastic-waste planet created by human beings.
Democrats looked vacuous taking up precious time with one long-ago purported "sexist" comment. Warren and Sanders should have biffed it out in private behind some barroom amid the trash cans.
It only served to weaken the purpose of the debate -- to reiterate the further declines we will face with four more years...
12
“Biden stayed in his comfort zones.” Yes he was half asleep and flubbed most of his statements. He’s demonstrating he’s too old for the job.
14
Kids, can you say "Another four years for Donald Trump?" Get used to it.
This, from a Democrat disgusted by my own party. The 2020 election should have meant taking candy from a baby.
17
Where was Yang!
15
Alas! My support for Warren is sliding! I don’t believe her. This issue should have been brought up way early and not wait for this moment. Either she spoke off-the-cuff about it to her team who must be idiots to bring it front and center thinking it would boost her support. God! to what extent the campaign heads will go to? This only harms her chances! I was really rooting for her and all you need is one seedling of doubt. My doubt - that she calculating and though not a liar twisting stories to her advantage.
14
There’s no evidence to suggest she is lying, and in her statement released the day prior to the debate she was actually complimentary os Sanders, and never accused him of sexism, only that he disagreed a woman could win. Consider this: it never benefits a woman in American electoral politics to talk about sexism they’ve faced, this has been proven empirically. I believe she handled it tactfully, especially in the face of CNN clearly attempting to make it into a made-for-TV spectacle. She has my continued support.
8
@Stephen S
"There’s no evidence to suggest she is lying..."
Of course there is. Bernie stood there on national TV and said it wasn't true. Twice! That's pretty convincing evidence.
I am no fan of Bernie, but unlike Warren, who has lied about her ethnicity, being fired for being pregnant, and whether her kids went to private school, among other things, Bernie is not a liar.
Here’s my takeaway. CNN is full bunch of sick people for trying to sabotage Bernie with constant badly framed questions. Plus they knew about the supposed woman comment, so they were timing it in a desperate plan to end him.
14
I would be happy with Bloomberg, Biden, Pete and Amy. Ms “I have a plan” Warren and Mr. “I’m going to kill the rich” Sanders - have no chance other than with millennial and aging hippies on the coasts. Trust me they don’t fly in middle America - I’ve canvassed for Obama and Kerry. No union member in their right mind will give up their health care options. No aspirational middle class person will vote for them and if I learned anything America is deeply aspirational. The fact that Iowa is in any way shape or form relevant is baffling. It’s a predominantly white state and it’s a caucus. It really should not be a predictor to anything, I wish democrats stopped paying attention to it. What matters is Florida, Wisconsin, North Carolina and I venture to say Texas and none of those would ever vote for Warren or Bernie. Have you asked yourself why the Bernie/Warren narrative is so predominant in the Times/Huffpo? Baby journos are writing it. Get a seasoned reporter in the Midwest and you have a different narrative.
17
@DS
You are 100 percent correct. I’d vote for either, but they won’t win the electoral college.
1
I want Trump out. I want a candidate that will beat him. And I still have no idea who that will be.
In the 2016 PA primary I voted for Bernie because he represents everything I believe in. I thought as a 60-year old American/ Canadian I would never again see a candidate offering what I believe are the rights of every citizen; health care, reasonably priced/free education, a healthy climate, no wars.
I don't know if I can do that again. I feel we need to lean moderate to get rid of Trump. But my millennial children (and many of their peers) believe in what Sanders and Warren are proposing for the direction of the country. And I fear millennials will stay home if the nominee is Biden.
I'll vote for whoever is the nominee in November but I'm still unsure about the primary in April.
7
When I see Biden at the debates, I remember that he has spent a lifetime overcoming stuttering. Therefore, I don't criticize him for having "halting" speech. The fact that he has overcome stuttering to be able to speak publicly, says something good about Biden's inner strength, focus and determination to overcome what could be a serious disability. This also makes him empathetic of others who have disabilities.
17
Did you know that Donald Trump has not lost an election in thirty years either? What is the value of this little "factoid" other than for a momentary jolt back to non-issue-based politics as usual?
28
The value is that it reminds people of their bias. Others, women included often, assume women will not be voted in to power and that becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
4
As a NYC resident for over 30 years, I do not recall Trump running for any public office until the presidency. Yes he won that but your comment is irrelevant.
2
@nb
And she was wrong about the 30 years thing. If Bernie defeated an incumbent Republican in 1990, and presumably it was later in the year than mid January, it was within the last 30 years. Really weird. She isn't usually this trivial. If this is the "new Liz", I don't like it as well as the old model.
4
While I want any D in place of the current occupant, Sanders is definitely too old for the job. He rants (followers call it passion) and he often has trouble remembering facts and finishing thoughts. Biden is already showing difficulty finishing thoughts and stumbling over words. I get that people want a candidate who will turn the country on it's head and not by incremental advances. But that won't happen if even Sanders or Warren are elected unless they use Executive Powers to accomplish things and go through court battles. The Democrats need to move ALL their voters behind whomever gets the nomination. I don't see swing voters or those who mistakenly voted for trump signing on to vote for Sanders or Warren - they are too left for those voters. God help us....we cannot afford 4 more years of the GOP.
9
@JG very true. Which is why the egos of Pete and Beto anger me. We need the Senate too.
4
I am a strong Biden supporter because he can beat Trump. Stop with the age thing. I'm 70 and sharp as a tack, and look at the Supreme Court justices. Biden and Buttagieg are the only two who stayed cool except Steyer, and he shouldn't have been on the stage.
But you are correct that Warren and Sanders' socialist notions would never get through Congress. Anyone is better than Trump, although my retirement account may take a hit with Sanders! Still I will vote for any Democrat.
1
Here are 3 takeaways from the ' debate':
1.None of the candidates effectively spoke to nor for the dreams, fears and hopes of the most loyal and long suffering base of the Democratic Party aka black African American Protestant women;
2. None of the candidates effectively spoke to nor for the dreams, fears and hopes of brown Hispanic/ Latino Americans from California to Cuba to El Salvador to Guatemala to Honduras to Mexico to New Mexico to New York Puerto Rico to Texas;
3. None of the candidates effectively spoke to nor for the dreams, fears and hopes of Muslim Americans.
51
@Blackmamba
I understand what you are saying. I understand the importance of representation. I hope that you are encouraging those around you to vote no matter what. We had an eloquent, inspiring person who seemed to embody all that was good. I will never understand how we went from Obama to trump.They gave us this odious creature whose only redeeming quality is that he is mortal and will eventually die.
40
@Blackmamba
I am impressed by the value Sanders has always placed on emphasizing ALL working people when he talks about bettering the lives of all working people.
As we confront the challenges of the future, working together, emphasizing the value of the Commons, and working to find common ground is essential...
and Sanders has always known this.
At the same time, beginning when he was a student involved in the struggle for civil rights, clearly he understood the disparities and challenges within the whole...
22
@Blackmamba
The true leaders talk only about the principles.
The principles have no gender, race, age, ethnicity, regional or political affiliation.
The principles are universal in nature, thus applicable to anybody and everybody.
52
I tuned this debacle out after a half hour of gotcha questions based on specious premises. CNN did us all a disservice with poor moderation and inane questions trying to elicit that golden fifteen second sound bite.
31
Ok. I want a progressive to win. I want sanders or warren. I’d love to see them be pres and vp. I don’t care who. I will vote for any democrat. Americans who care about our democracy must vote for a democrat. I will tell you that after GW Bush, I learned that this country is full of poorly educated people who have very short memories. After Bush, we were on the verge of an economic collapse caused by Bush’s tax cut and unfunded wars. When Obama won, I was torn between joy and dismay. I was filled with joy because I truly believed that our economy and the world’s was could not survive another republican president I was filled with dismay because I knew that our collective short term memory was going to allow the Republican Party to shift the blame to the Democrats. Can we keep our Democracy? I don’t know. Democracy is hard. It requires a populace to educated and to participate. It requires compromise. I don’t know that we have what it takes any longer.
14
The biggest takeaway from this debate is, CNN does not know how to conduct a debate.
81
Bernie is my choice and his passion and vitality despite his age are refreshing. He has it all, brains, personality, and the will to bring his issues to the people. I am waiting for the NYT endorsement and I hope this time around you guys don't blow it by choosing the status quo, namely Biden. Bernie's time has come and he his building momentum with all of the young people who support him.
11
please show the data that says those young people not at his rallies will actually come out and vote
3
Very depressed after watching the debate. Afraid that Trump is gloating as waits acquittal though impeached “for life”, in the words of Nancy, as he sees what we all see.
Biden is too old. Watch him walk off the stage at the end, walking slowly to avoid falling. Stumbling on his sentence structure. Sometimes thoughts elude him as he searches for another way to express the idea.
Former Mayor Pete - now that you have no job, hope a Democrat wins to get a cabinet appointment like Veterans Affairs or Homeland Security. Too young but need to stay in the mix to get real experience for future run. Also need elective office. Well spoken but needs seasoning.
Bernie, a socialist who is not a Democrat cannot expect the superdelegates or democratic insiders to be enthusiastic about him. Women will remember how he damaged Hillary when he refused to stop his campaign in 2016 after it was clear he did not have a path to the nomination. Bernie did damage to her campaign.
Bernie is as polarizing as Trump just from the left. Recall the conversation in 2016 that Bernie and Trump were similar as popularists.
Warren is an opportunist, not honest - not popular with independents or men. See “Why isn’t Elizabeth Warren More Popular in Massachusetts”
https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/2019/7/30/20691246/elizabeth-
Amy hits all the right notes, has the smarts, the rhetoric, the sense of humor,moderation, experience and judgment, beats republicans. Does not excite - maybe needs better makeup.
12
@Alan
Unfortunately, it's a really bad time for a rational and moderate politician like Klobuchar in the Democratic Party. Its leftwing has hijacked the election. Better luck next time.
1
@Alan Hilary lost because, among things, she did not campaign vigorously in the upper Mid-West. Blue collar white males did not vote for her. She was holding elite fundraisers in Manhattan right before the election when she should have been trudging around Wisconsin. Bernie won 22 primaries. Hilary lost because the Democrats rigged their convention and potential voters stayed home. Don’t blame Bernie for Hilary losing.
Tired of Bernie yell talking every answer. He’s a broken record of talking points I’ve already heard.
How are you going to pay for it Bernie?
21
@Nick
Stop giving tax cuts to the rich. Stop corporate welfare. Start taxing capital as income. Start taxing corporations the same way as we tax wage earners. Stop privatizing services that are the responsibility of the state. Education, healthcare, national parks, and prisons should be paid for, maintained and run by the government. No one should profit from them. The money is there. The powers that be are just bought and paid for by the rich.
11
@Nick
Yell it at republicans for a change.
1
The lack of a handshake is interesting.
But the fact that the agent of the personal attorney of Donald Trump received an offer to hit one of our own Ukraine diplomats, who was being removed in the service of receiving personal campaign benefits, seems worthy of more attention.
“They are willing to help if we/you would like a price,”
13
@Joseph Bloe This will turn out to be a horror story worthy of Stephen King.
While I’d really like to see an Amy Klobuchar/ Pete Buttigieg ticket of everyone on stage last night Tom Steyer impressed me the most. That may be because I knew the least about him.
7
Maybe I'm in the minority, but I thought ALL the candidates did well. I continue to be impressed by Amy Klobuchar. She is articulate, smart and witty. I am disappointed that her polling numbers do not rise. I attribute that to sexism and a persistent belief that no woman can take down Trump. I believe Klobuchar, and the other candidates who were on the stage, can debate Trump and win. Let's stop wringing our collective hands and start believing.
27
@Robin
There's no question that Klobuchar should have been the nominee. Again the Democrats fail to see the locomotive bearing down in them.
Klobuchar got walloped by the NYT early in her campaign for being a bristling, diffcult boss and it seemed downhill for her from there. I've always wondered about the motives of whichever editor it was who launched that rocket.
14
I paid less attention to the candidates and more to CNN, cursing it under my breath. Superficial, gotcha questions directed toward everyone, as if the sole purpose of the evening to was to showcase every candidate as a flaming hypocrite, a clumsy profligate, intellectually dishonest, or flawed beyond redemption. No one was allowed to finish a sentence, let alone a thought. A lowest common denominator debate if I ever saw one. Bring back the League of Women Voters or PBS.
119
@raven55
Thank you raven. That is what I have been asking thru all of these debates.
Corporate television stations are in it to make a buck. We need the League of Women Voters and PBS to make it more educational and informative.
10
@raven55 Agreed, it was easily the worst moderated debate thus far. CNN should be embarrassed
10
Oh ya, and Elizabeth thinking she’d done something wonderful beating Scott Brown. She’s ran once? Twice? Then the men can’t say a thing because she’ll pull out the “woman” card.
23
Ideal ticket: Warren/Buttigieg.
Winning ticket: Whoever in the top four picks Harris as VP.
2
This is all very nice. But with out winning the Senate, it is meaningless!
14
How can Amy Klobuchar be a serious candidate POTUS but not be against fracking?.
14
The moderation was abysmal.
Who is this beauty-contestant clone, Brianne Pfannenstiel? I just kept hearing, "I would work for Whirrled Peas, and give everyone an equal chance to, blah, blah, blah..." And she was rude and humorless, to boot!
I like Biden, but felt embarassed for him too often. Steyer is just too dopey and inexperienced in government. Mayor Pete is a sycophant, saying what he thinks his 'base' (whatever THAT may be) wants to hear. I fear for Warren, and have always credited her with being too smart to jump into this fray. Now that she is running, I hope she is tough enough to hang in. Bernie is, by far, the most savvy and tough out of the lot, but I don't think he appeals to the electorate. He is just too far Left. I wish I could drop him right into the Oval Office and let the chips fall where they may, but it's going to take a lot more than wishes to get that done.
Finally, maybe a Sanders/Warren ticket, with a 'pre-presidential agreement' that would Liz do what she does best, and Bernie provide the temperament to push it through the Republican cesspool...
5
Warren lost all momentum when she released details of her Medicare for All plan. She needs to stop blaming her fall on sexism.
23
@RSSF First, Warren hasn't "fallen", secondly, her stand on Medicare for All is impressive and actually momentous for our country, and finally, sexism is real and needs to be checked with every subtle smear intended to shut down the feminine voice.
13
OK, I'll vote for any of 'em in the general, even Mrs Salad Comb. As for the primary, it's Bernie.
7
We heard a lot about gender and “women” in this debate, exacerbated by the pundits. We know Warren and Klobuchar are both women. Why anyone should single out that criteria as being decisive is beyond me, especially IF we’re supposed to be non-discriminatory on questions of gender. I don’t like either candidate because of their POLICY choices. Next, I’ll be told I’m “sexist” for saying so. Biden is no debater, but then again I don’t care about debates when there’s a RECORD to review. On THAT basis I’m able to support him and while Buttigieg hasn’t had as many years in office, what he HAS achieved during his lifetime wins on all counts for me. That they’re both MEN is hardly the point. That I agree on their policy positions IS.
13
@ManhattanWilliam YYes, Actually, men and women can bring differing views to a situation. Biological research and our common experience show that men in general are more warlike, whereas women tend to be more empathetic and caring. Years of masculine energy dominating our politics have brought lots of militarism and a winner-take-all capitalism. Many of us would like to experience a country where its citizens are cared for and some of these worst impulses are checked. So, while no one is saying to vote for someone regardless of their policies or experience, because unconscious bias runs in the best of us, it would be wise to at least consider the bases for and ramifications of our choices and biases.
6
@shamtha
I think we tried that in '72. The results were disastrous.
1
With friends like Warren, who needs enemies?
25
@Will In my book, A friend is one who calls you out when need be.
4
She couldn't badmouth Bernie's public record, so she created a gender issue storm in a glass of private meeting water. Bernie is on record prompting her to run. Nevertheless she is persisting. I can't even.
I feel attacked at a personal gut level by this frontal attack by one idol of mine on another, where it looks like the good guy is made the fall guy for warning the woman about the bad guys making her public life almost as difficult as a perp walk and for insisting he sacrifices himself as the white knight and Trojan Horse advancing her cause as a potentially badly needed insurance policy as she is testing the waters for female presidential electability in her personal bid.
Do I need 24/7 body cams and audio recording to protect myself from women to turn on me as the easy target to take their frustration and revenge for the bigotry, the backwardness and the hurtfulness of my fellow males out on?
I guess I do.
Sad.
@Liz
Could Bernie have said yes you can but you can also lose since such and such are your hurdles, and the latter stung and stuck as "No, you can't?"
Is he saying "Yes you can if you can beat me" and you "No I can't if you don't graciously bow out of my way and plan?"
Isn't the pivotal question whether a progressive can win in the primary, dwarfing whether the corporate tool that happens to be a woman can win in the general?
I'd support a rule change, for example making presidential races alternate from female-only to male-only candidates every 4 years
7
Both Warren and Sanders are petty and too sensitive. Sanders was a jerk to Clinton and helped her lose the election along with the Russians. I don't like either and glad they showed their true colors. We don't need another narcissist in the White House. We need do no harm and pick a good support team. Joe?
1
When you compare the quality of these candidates to Barack Obama, you realize that the Trump disaster is likely to strike again.
14
@Peter Zenger Sounds like the same line used against Hillary Clinton by Republicans. Hmmm.
4
@shamtha
and for good reason: it's true!
I had just 2 significant takeaways from this debate:
1) All six candidates on the stage tonight are intelligent, have committed their lives to public service for at least the last 10 years, and are passionate about policies that would help America.
2) No matter where a 2020 voter stands on policy, I don't see how a patriotic voter of any major political ideology can vote for Trump in good conscience. Why? Donald Trump is incompetent, lawless, dangerous for our democracy, and dangerous to our entire world.
31
My take away is that if they don't get any passion in their gut they will lose. Either Warren or Saunders are lying about what happened between them and friends don't lie on each other. You can't beat Trump being afraid of a frontal attack. Trump is going to lie and be ruthless in the General Election Campaign .Seeing candidates raising their hands to be allowed to talk was charming and polite. Does anyone think Charming or Polite is going to beat Trump? I saw no fire of a pugilist itching to get in the ring to take on the champ in any of the six place holders tonight.If you turned the sound down it looked like a Sunday Morning Bible Study Class at an all white church. There was no true passion on stage tonight.Amy Klobuchar I have always thought had the toughness to stand toe to toe with Trump and throw leather.
7
Thank you for this insightful synopsis, in contrast to CNN. It was so revealing and deeply disappointing that all they could talk about after the debate was the 'woman elected' Bernie thing. As if Bernie is a sexist? What about Global Warming? Maybe that would be more important?
This 'Woke' finding fault mentality is exactly what Trump voters fear about the left. Anyone is subject to attack for one sentence they may have said years ago, regardless of the important things they have done in a lifetime. Shame, shame on these 'journalists', who reveal themselves to be narcissistic amateur detectives, the new 'thought police.' A tragedy in our country.
29
Sanders is probably the only one who can beat trump.
12
Biden's closure: Nothing about the urgent changes needed re: poverty, climate change, health care, etc. He spoke about "character"; "respect"; "restore"; "leadership"; "trerated decently".
For him, it's all about Trump being nuts. Not about proposing policies or re-writing the social contract that has half the nation living hand-to-mouth.
Unfortunately, this will NOT turn out the young people, Blacks, and Latinos who sat out 2016 because Hillary was not persuasively an advocate for them.
Biden (with a record of voting for the Iraq War, Crime Bill advocacy, leader on the Bankruptcy Bill that has caused countless foreclosures, the Bank Bailout) will do no better than Hillary in the states that will determine the victor. Trump will attack him from the left and the right, and focus on the (appearance of) "corruption" with Hunter at the trough.
In 2020, turnout is the key, and a Biden nomination makes a Democratic victory far less likely.
14
Please stop blaming black and Hispanic voters for “sitting out” and not voting for Clinton. A majority of white women, of all people, voted for a man who had bragged about sexually harassing women, and white men largely embraced him. Clinton had a huge percentage of women of color voting for her, and more people of color voted for her. We’re called “minorities” for a reason. Please, please, please stop with the denial. The white community needs to do some big time soul searching about that fact. Do your research, for crying out loud!
1
Why is climate change continually ignored by the debate moderators? It would not get airtime at all if the candidates themselves did not bring it up of their own volition. The DNC has had many opportunities in this election cycle to provoke discussion about climate change and has avoided the subject assiduously. This is bizarre to me as the Democratic party was greatly interested in it in the past. I have to conclude at this point that DNC leadership is now bought and sold by Big Energy, and I would like to see some NYT investigative journalism to explain it.
14
@Daniel
Because they don't want to talk about how much the proposals will actually cost and how many people will be negatively affected (ex., lose their jobs)?
1
@Daniel
Because most voters don't care. It's an issue for people who don't have any real problems to worry about: rich people, yoga moms, movie stars, etc. People are concerned about jobs, retirement, healthcare and paying for their kids' college.
The main takeaway is Vice President Joe Biden will be the Democratic nominee.
7
@Eric repeating 2016 bad choices. People who did not vote for Clinton will not vote for Biden. Corporate oligarchs will win again. Biden stands for nothing except the establishment that is ruining our world.
Sanders is the only one who puts country and world first.
1
@Marina Biden is not Clinton so your argument doesn't pass muster. What matters is unseating Trump. Biden is best positioned to do it. Everything else is moot.
Glad I did not watch this debate. No patience to hear Warren whining against Sanders, against millionaires, against Facebook, Amazon and many others..and again citing her brothers or the people she meets in the street..Glad also this is the last debate...
They only attack each other on petty issues (similarly to 2016 when Sanders never lost a moment to criticize the Clintons) and loose the big picture: defeating Trump. It is pathetic to watch at times and I hope that this won’t play in Trump’s hands and will deliver another 4 years of Trump’s Twitter politics.
5
Found the moderators to be very poor, asking the same questions we've heard time and time before. No comparison to the moderators in the PBS run debate.
24
Senator Amy Klobuchar and Mayor Buttigieg attacked vigorously “Medicare For All” (MFA) in the debate and Pressmen-Pundits Brian Williams and Chris Mathews approvingly publicized them later in their MSNBC program! The objections were Expense and Opposition by senior Democratic leaders which would make it impossible to pass it in Congress! I submit a few relevant facts.
1.It is not as if most of the 90 million un-insured and under insured are not getting any “care“ at all! They do go to the crowded Emergency Rooms and get terminal/minimal care, more expensive and less effective than a timely visit to the doctors’ office under MFA! Indeed, this is an important reason for the bankruptcy of hospitals in poor urban and rural areas.
2. U.S. has had Medicare For the Elderly (FME) for over half a century and found to be patient-satisfactory and cost-effective. Since Elderly and terminal care are more expensive, MFA would be cheaper. Indeed, all the affluent Industrial democracies have MFE in one form or another. Their per capita expense is significantly lower and efficacy-patient satisfaction greater. In the 1970s U.S. Auto Industry said that MFA in Europe reduced the price of European made cars.
T. Ramakrishnan M.D.
12
When Bernie Sanders told Elizabeth Warren that a woman can't be elected president, as Warren says he did, was she an Anglo at the moment, or a Native American?
11
At this point I'm voting blue, whomever the candidate. I can't take another 4 years of Trump. Vote blue no matter who.
13
President Obama cut the deficit from $1.4 trillion to $483 billion, despite a gigantic economic recession.
President Trump ballooned the deficit back up to $1 trillion in 3 years, despite a gigantic economic expansion.
That no one is sounding an alarm is bewildering. This is how you win moderates, and you can do this while winning progressives too.
Trump is a failure on the economy because he produced nothing more than a tax cut sugar high. He is bankrupting the country just as he bankrupted his casinos. When our bill comes due, the republicans will go after our social safety net, from SS to Medicare to Medicaid to education.
We need to talk about this ... a lot.
25
Just a bunch of random questions, being met by "stump speech". No debate was taking place - just sniping, and counter sniping. Endless repetition - it's obvious, why the ratings for this "reality show" are so low.
5
I’m disappointed we don’t have better candidates but any one of them is better than Trump. We have to narrow the field and get behind one with everyone’s support! We have a few too old and one too young. I’m going with Warren to take on Trump!
1
A few points:
1. The American people hate Democratic Socialists so much that they elected the last one 4 times in a row. He had to die to end their loving reelection of him.
2. Warren and Biden continue to prop up the insurance industry by trying to sell ACA plans that many working people cannot afford. M4A will be 0 dollars for those earning less than 29K a year. Those people WILL be covered by Sanders M4A.
3. Sanders extended his hand, and she recoiled like a petulant child. I thought better of Warren. I was wrong.
4. Always remember that corporate power brought us "The Unity Fence" at the 2016 DNC convention. Every negotiation done between corporate heads and working people cannot be successful if the people are in the subordinate position.
5. In terms of the Warren-Sanders issue, its clear that one of them is lying.
6.Millionaires don't lust for sending their kids to public colleges. They're thinking Harvard, Yale, M.I.T. - Pete the corporatist uses this silly "no millionaire's get free tuition argument" as a "millionaire bash" that falls flat.
7. Sanders remains the hub of the progressive wheel.
15
Name an issue, if you can, that Bernie Sanders has NOT advocated for ~ FOR WE, THE PEOPLE ~ after extensive research, insight, and experience throughout his entire career which began as a compassionate calling for the benevolence of all.
9
@Gia
Name, if you can, a single thing that he has actually accomplished in 30 years in Congress.
Abby Phillip: You’re saying that you never told Sen. Warren that a woman could not win the election?
Sanders: That is correct.
Phillip: Sen. Warren, what did you think when Sen. Sanders told you a woman could not win the election?
Warren: I disagreed.
My takeaway? CNN shouldn’t be trusted to moderate any more debates. Would that the rest of the media were willing to call the. Out.
40
I was really liking Warren tonight... until the non-handshake.
12
There's a serious misrepresentation in this piece that should be corrected. It refers to Sanders allegedly saying to Warren privately that he "didn't believe a woman could be president." But the linked article clearly refers to him saying he didn't think a woman could WIN the presidency. These are entirely different things - the latter being a blunt political calculation, the former a much more sexist comment connoting that a woman is perhaps not capable of the job - and thus reflect very differently on the person who may have said them. It is careless and sloppy to conflate them.
18
Came away wondering why an Iowa citizen’s vetting/ opinion of these candidates should mean more than mine. Time for this “Iowa and NH, first-second” process to go away.
9
Whether or not you're a Bernie fan, he does have a record of honesty. Warren doesn't. She has a history of saying whatever she thinks will give her an advantage. So if Bernie says he didn't tell her a woman could be elected president, I believe him. But perhaps she misheard him. Maybe he said he didn't think SHE could be elected President.
19
I reckon Trump with Sanders as his running mate. That would be a winning combination. Joe Biden and Bloomberg should join forces to see how much they can profit from a presidency. Bloomberg obviously expects a good return on his investment and there are heaps of jobs for his dear son Hunter.
5
@Steven
Bloomberg would be such a great president. He could sell even more of those terminals of his. Maybe if he teamed up with Joe Biden he could sell them to Ukraine and Hunter Biden could be the director. I love how politics works in this county. And they reckon Trump is the bad guy.
2
Reading the comments just brings back 2016 all over again! Bernie’s gang will do everything to bring others down if he’s not the winning candidate! We should all be on board whoever is chosen! The fight is to get Trump out of the White House not to tear each other apart while he goes around country rallying his troops.
11
Biden and Klobuchar sounded like straight-up Republicans when attacking Bernie over single-payer. I can’t believe these people are in the Democratic Party. Unbelievable.
13
Eugene Debs, no, they want to improve on Obamacare, which was of course a Democratic proposal.
Bernie Sanders does want Medicare for All, but then Bernie Sanders is not even a Democrat.
9
@John Smithson
Not trying to be snarky. The affordable care act was based on Republican Romney’s healthcare plan. It was put into national policy because of democrat obama so all of the Republicans had to vilify and continue to destroy it.
I watched Bernie’s Q&A with the Des Moines Register. He’s so much better when he’s 10 decibels lower. Someone tell his handlers.
4
@Tony Fleming - Uh, I kind of like it. But then I am hard of hearing so he sounds normal to me. I can barely hear Joe Biden. Of course, that could be a blessing.
7
I think that America is likelier to elect a woman as President in 2020 than we were in 2016 because we've had enough of toxic masculinity and women are stronger, smarter and more determined than we used to be. But Bernie, if he said that a woman could not be elected POTUS, is as entitled to his honest opinion as any other citizen. He might be wrong, but he is still entitled to an opinion.
8
Really missed Andrew Yang and his alternative viewpoints tonight. Like in the discussion on lowering the cost of child care. Yang would say why not figure out a way that one parent can afford to stay home and avoid paying child care. And why not find ways to promote health so we dont need as many drugs.
17
As Joe Biden stated, 95% of the world’s consumers are outside of our borders, waiting for the fruits of American ingenuity. The choice for president may come down to a candidate who wants us to make things, and one who wants to make things up.
5
@Edward Teach Not only that but many in the past around the world have looked to America for moral guidance and leadership on issues like human rights and that has been SORELY lacking under Trump's presidency. In fact, pretty much non-existent.
1
Before continuing; do you see how the candidates are holding up their hands asking to be called upon?
Think very carefully about that. What does it tell us?
1
I've ignored all debates until tonight. I deliberately averted my eyes from watching, instead focusing on the words which helped me comprehend more of the meanings by inflection and insistence of delivery. I was so involved in listening that after the long questioning, and it wasn't a debate, but a glorified interview, I made several interesting conclusions.
First; the fix is in for a Billionaire to win as there are now three vying for office on both sides, all buying the election as they throw money at the Television industry because that is who elects Political leaders.
After careful listening, I was drawn to Warren and Sanders, both the strongest gut projecting candidates whom I felt were truly dedicated to the betterment and welfare of the American public. Of the two, Sanders was certainly very convincing but seemed repetitive but with some new heart felt appeals. Warren was convincing as well, with the never tiring voice of reason and equal dedication to what is right, although she did veer into what seemed like boutique issues later after covering the meat and potatoes.
So I'm left with good feelings about Warren and Sanders. They both showed true energy to fight what is now a perilous foe to Americans. They really care, and that's why I have always voted for Democrats. Because they always care about everyone.
Steyer, Klobuchar, and Buttegeig were scripted with Steyer generating a thought of "Republican", whether founded or not, I had that impression.
5
I want to hear about health care, gun control, regaining our international reputation, etc., and especially how Trump can be defeated. I'm not interested in debating what was said, or not said in a private conversation between Warren and Sanders.
18
What a tired and cynical view by the press of these debates. I enjoyed watching it and was glad the field has been winnowed down! It's too bad however that the DNC in scheduling the debate decided to have this one on CNN – accessed by only streaming – rather than on PBS. This debate should have been the PBS/Political debate – CNN's done prior – especially with the senate impeachment trial closing in. I think Klobuchar and Warren shone brightly – with both command of their subjects, humor, and resiliency in their demeanor. All of them made important points and it's true they don't differ so much in where they believe we need to go as a nation as much as the method of getting to those changes we sorely need. I do think experience matters, however. Biden made his greatest impact when he spoke about"saving the soul of America." But in my opinion he still fumbled more than the others. What all of them missed out on was hitting Trump's administration harder on the corruption (Warren and Steyer were best on the subject) but also about the Republicans being in court right now to remove protections for pre-existing conditions as well as declaring Obamacare unconstitutional. They should have hit Republicans much harder about this instead of squabbling over details which we have heard in many debates. They differed on foreign policy approach. That was good to hear. Whatever you do, vote Blue.
5
How I miss Cory Booker and Andrew Yang on stage..hopefully someone will choose both or one of them for the cabinet! They always injected some wise words or cheer. The MSNBC women moderators from the past debate were also missed. I was yawning this evening.. Bernie and Liz reminded me of my quarreling grandparents.
6
This debate has convinced me to stand firmly behind Elizabeth Warren in both the short and long term. She remains the most impressive candidate in the race, with everything it takes to deliver historic, transformative leadership, without which, America as we've known it, may not survive. It is a make-it or break-it moment for this country, comparable to the Civil War under Abraham Lincoln, the Progressive Era under Teddy Roosevelt, and the New Deal under Franklin Roosevelt. Elizabeth Warren's vision, strength, intelligence, and dynamism will enable her to rise to the occasion and lead us to new historic heights.
10
@ZA
She has changed her position on healthcare in the course of this election. She has misrepresented her funding, rolling over corporate donations from her Senate run, while calling Buttigieg out for taking dollars from big donors. And now she’s after Senator Sanders, setting traps. She’s a winner alright!
8
ZA, we have unparalleled peace and prosperity. Why is this a make or break moment?
2
If the goal is to convert a few potential or past Trump voters, then why insult Trump (deservedly) in a way that clearly impugns his voters along with him?
On the opposite end, why coddle portions of the Democratic electorate that will NEVER vote for Trump at the risk of alienating possible middle-of-the-road converts by hinting that they're not quite as special to you?
In a New Yorker cartoon a corporate-looking dog at an expensive bar says to another dog, "It's not enough that dogs succeed. Cats also must fail." Twisting this anecdote, it's not enough that Republicans be removed. Democrats also must solve underlying problems.
Democrats are supposedly opposed to hate. I think they've simply found an acceptable channel for a universal emotion. Instead of pounding the podium, why don't these people dismiss Trump with a smirk, and wax radiant in describing the glories of their coming administration. Why are there no behavioral experts aboard the Democratic ship?
4
Joe Biden is an American icon. A wonderful man. And too old.
The fact the nobody had the fortitude to challenge him is a shame. He going to coast, unchallenged, to a victory.
Then, in a general election his age and mental agility will become apparent. Too bad.
9
david, trouble is, Joe Biden was the only decent candidate on that stage.
1
If Democrats want to beat Trump they have to follow the energy this time; there must be a sharp contrast and the candidate must be quick witted and be able to take a punch. The only two candidates who have a prayer are Sanders and Warren. If the Democrats nominate a centrist (Biden) they are going to lose. We need an energized and fired-up base to win this.
11
A very disappointing performance by the purported best and brightest of the Democratic Party. The two party system is decaying and there is no third party candidate on the horizon to bridge this divide.
4
The only problem with the candidates is that they are all so good. When you have a collection of such equally good candidates, it is hard to choose, and I think think this is why people are saying that there is not one who stands out. I would be happy with any one of them over our current occupant.
8
Quality of moderators is not good, actually detract from learning what candidates think. Should let candidates finish speaking. After all, we are listening to their answers. Questions are, well, not very bright. Example: "...why should children of multi millionaires be excluded from free tuition just because their parents are rich? After all they're not excluded from using the public library." That should be a classic.
19
Enough with socialism in this country! It’s a theory that doesn’t work. We don’t need a revolution. What we need is a sane, confident leader who can go up against and defeat Trump. That person was not on the stage tonight.
8
@Frank Lee Speeking We currently have socialism for the rich---and for Trump's favored base: farmers. What was Trump's tax cut for the ultra wealthy other than a transfer from the 99% to the 1%? And $50 billion for farmers?
13
You are stuck on the wrong reading of the word.
The reality of social democracy, compared to our rampant neo-capitalism digressing into neo-feudalism, works much better than our system in highly successful European countries.
4
@Frank Lee Speeking
I believe many people don’t know what socialism means. It is confused with communism. Socialism protects human rights.. Capitalism says that if you only have money you can do this.. Education and health care are human rights.. and the future of a country..
4
As I listened to questions and responses of the candidates on stage, I kept returning to the thought of which one of these candidates has the political coattails to unite the country and reestablish a Democrat majority in the Senate, the House and the majority of state legislatures and Governors to gain a 16 year or greater progressive agenda with the priority of creating a new non-fossil fueled global energy economy.
We will need to turn the minds of the World to thoughts of how we can make this transition and continue to improve the quality of life and life expectancy of a growing world population.
It will take an inspired visionary with awareness of the existing international governing structure to begin to mobilize the scientists, engineers, and capital managers, and some creative people to create new non-fossil sources of energy to supply the World.
It may take a person, not on the stage, with the resources and global awareness to lead the international community to meet this urgent challenge.
Half of the world are women so I can see that a woman might have the political coattails but she must be astute in international relations. Former VP Biden has the experience and probably the political coattails but he will need to form a team that can hold the political leadership for at least two Presidents.
I don't know Mr. Bloomberg but he certainly has the personal resources to go the distance. If he were teamed with Warren or Klobuchar this ticket has potential.
2
Warren declined to shake Sanders' hand. That is despicable conduct toward a supposed long-time friend. It's the way enemies in war act, not friendly political rivals who both claim to be progressives. I don't believe Sanders said that a woman could not win the presidency, such a statement would be completely out of character for him. I'm through with Warren. I hope she loses her Senate seat, too.
60
@Caleb I have never liked Warren. If she is the nomiiinee, and I hope she isn't, I'll hold my nose and vote for her.
Her refusal to shake Bernie's hand reveals who she really is, imho.
4
@Caleb
I know. I can’t sleep. How could she? We all remember, “I’m with Bernie!” I’m beginning to think she doesn’t know who she is with, she changes with the wind!
10
I really liked Warren and donated to her campaign frequently. I have t-shirts with her name on them all over the house. I went to see her when she came into town and found her to be an even more moving speaker in person. Her story is real and authentic. I did move away from her and toward Sanders after she struggled with her responses to healthcare questions. It struck me at that time that her campaign was forcing her into a conventional political stance that did not appeal to me. Nevertheless I continued to like her and appreciate her presence as a progressive champion. But in the last couple of days I’ve become shocked and dismayed at her campaign’s underhandedness toward Sanders.
70
Warren is not the one who had a script calling the other candidate an elitist. Look who is dividing the party once again. It ain’t Warren.
11
@Jeremiah Crotser same here. That she wouldn’t even shake his hand after she is the one clearly trying to bring him down is truly disheartening. She has lost my esteem.
10
@Jeremiah Crotser I agree, I am unable to view it as anything other than underhanded, suddenly revealing this purported exchange in a private conversation with her friend Bernie, which no one can verify.
8
I am a progressive member of the Democratic party and I so hope that Amy Klobochar or Elizabeth Warren will be the nominee of the Democratic Party in the run for the Presidency. Both women are outstanding candidates for the Presidency and I find that Bernie Sanders is weak on the issues of concern to women and to blacks. In fact, Bernie isn't even a Democrat. Let's hope for a win by a Democratic women for the Presidential nominee. Both women are outstanding candidates, one moderate and one progressive. Either woman would be an outstanding candidate. Of course, I will back any good Democratic woman for the Democratic nominee for the Presidency of the USA.
I look forward to finally choosing a good Democratic woman to be the Democratic nominee for President of the USA.
I am distressed to see that some Democrats would be willing to nominate a man for President on the grounds that a woman cannot win. I think such Democrats need to wake up to the 21st century. Think how much better off we if we had elected Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump. It isn't about gender. It is about the future of our country.
4
Partisan petrified elite is not relevant anymore. Trump is not the old GOP and Sanders is not a corrupt Dem of old times. Voters use a platform that is available at time.
4
Regarding Warren's stating she has won every one of her elections. She won two Senate races, the exact same record as Hillary Clinton had when she ran for president. Hardly a convincing argument.
As to Medicare for All, I know that the cost is all any one cares to talk about as the candidates seem to believe that most Americans are too simple minded to understand the issues more deeply (and considering who our president is, this may not be wrong). However, as a physician myself, I wish Sanders and Warren would point out other equally important things. Many patients with Medicare or Medicaid have an increasingly difficult time finding primary care physicians willing to accept new patients because their reimbursement rates are lower than many commercial insurers. With the aging of our population this problem will only grow. If everybody had the same insurance no matter what your age, this would eliminate this problem.
Also, with no longer fearing about the cost of care, people may be more willing to seek identification and care before things get very bad and much more expensive to treat.
Finally, it would stop freeloading where even people without insurance and who can't pay their bill still are required to get free care if they make it to a hospital.
19
Your remarks on M4A are spot on. Everyone bemoans the cost of M4A when in fact single payer is the only approach that controls the dizzying upward spiral of national healthcare costs. "Medicare for those who want it" and talk of a public "option" are a guarantee that providers will continue to avoid Medicare patients.
9
There is a very simple test to judge the motives and commitment of the candidates on that stage tonight. If a candidate is taking any corporate/lobbyist super pac money from wealthy donors, that should immediately eliminate them from contention because as history overwhelmingly confirms, they will provide only "watered down status quo" versions of policies because they ultimately answer to their corporate donors, NOT their constituents. I believe the voter is getting tired of this act(and ignored).
Joe Biden, in particular, has yet, to divulge from where he has received his money which consists of roughly 50 large donors. That should speak volumes.
11
It did appear that Elizabeth Warren refused to shake Bernie Sanders' hand. During the previous debate, she insisted on talking after repeatedly being asked to stop. I get it that they're all stressed out, but Sanders, Klobuchar, Buttigieg, and Biden seem to be handling it better.
42
Women: I rather doubt that Bernie believes that women SHOULDN'T be president. I suspect that in a supposedly private conversation with Warren he simply noted the historic difficulty women have faced in getting elected. CNN is talking about women getting punished for playing hardball, but if you intentionally bean the batter, he takes a base.
43
In CNN tonight, in my opinion, we had what was the WORST display of questioners and questions in the history of political debates in America. For a considerable time, I didn't know whether I was watching a debate with "moderators" asking questions or in actuality, "shills" for the healthcare and fossil fuel industry. This "charade", disguised as a debate, was an insult to those who call themselves journalists.
If debates are going to continue, they must be placed in the hands of independent, intelligent groups unencumbered by
an agenda and get to the point of actually discussing policy with questions not framed in an obvious pre-determined and biased manner AND without the pre-occupation of personalities and identity politics. After tonight, it has become very clear, cable news in America has become a "lost cause".
125
@Deus
The questioners were beyond dreadful. Abrasive, devoid of charm or even manners. They cut people off mid-sentence like they were police interrogators. It's hard for this liberal to admit it, but Fox (Wallace) showed how to do it right.
4
@Deus I,too, was, again, disappointed in the moderators. I understand time limits for responses. Let us add time limits on moderators’ framing of questions. I prefer a succinct question then allowing candidates to fully answer. Its the candidates we wish to hear, not the moderators. Allow more time per candidate and less time per moderator.
I have watched every debate, from start to finish. The format has not improved.
Tom Steyer calls climate THE issue and Warren says Yes But -- not until we squeeze corruption out of government. Same with Sanders naming fossil fuel kings who need dethroning. This is so important. Corruption and climate -- well, corruption and every other ill we want to fix -- is why I tuned in. I was proud of all these candidates. Especially next to the aching misery that sits in the oval now.
25
I think they all did well representing themselves. Many in the media were hoping for blood and they were thankfully disappointed. Unity and civility wins the night.
I would have preferred a handshake between Warren and Sanders at the end.
34
@David
Yes, the video, of course, is going around and the MSM will play it up for all its worth, guaranteed. I don't know what happened and I guess it will eventually come out, but after he went to shake her hand, Warren seemed to confront Sanders which kind of caught him off guard resulting in him turning around and leaving the stage.
Maybe he didn't say what she wanted to hear.
David, Bernie Sanders extended his hand. Elizabeth Warren wouldn't shake it.
5
@David So would I, but Elizabeth Warren lacked the class to do that.
4
I am so disappointed by Warren. i was hoping she would de-escalate. It was pretty hard to believe Sanders would say that to her face. When CNN asked Sanders if he said it,he denied it. Then CNN immediately turned to Warren and asked" How did you feel when he said that." It doesn't matter that he said he didn't say it and that it would be completely out of character for him to say it, CNN promoted that he said it anyway. Sorry CNN and Warren, I don't buy the" if a woman says it it must be true" thing. CNN got the moment they wanted and drove a wedge between them at the same time.
134
There was a time when CNN was a very respected news source. And on many levels they still are. However, with this debate, their coverage of politics has reached an all time low. It is sad to see how CNN has come down to the level of Fox News in this regard. It would seem they are in the back pockets of a Democratic establishment which lacks the courage of their convictions. Wholesale change is what is required in order to secure victory. You can bet the Twitter-in-Chief was watching and will take full advantage.
9
I agree. Very disappointing from Sen. Warren, and the questioner from CNN was simply appalling. A level of discourtesy I have rarely seen in such a setting. Extremely unprofessional.
18
@Mark
But it's okay for a woman to lie on a man's behalf and to his benefit?
1
The subject of guns was not raised. Nobody in any of the debates has ever referred to the fact that Bernie Sanders voted against the Brady Bill in 1993.
13
And Sanders also voted to protect gun manufacturers from civil liability. That one really gets me.
4
Bernie addressed that issue in his interview with the NYT editorial board. The transcript has been published. Check it out.
4
The powers that be in this campaign probably the DNC have decided that the field needs to be winnowed down to a few. And at some point this had to happen, but probably not before the voting begins in Iowa in a few weeks. Sad to lose so many great voices on stage.
Can the momentum be continued without people of color or the many sane voices who have dropped out? We need every voice and the commitment of everyone id Trump is to be defeated. And my fervent hope is that those who have dropped out will continue their efforts to save our democracy from Trump and the GOP whose one goal seems to be to recreate a divided, cult led society and that will never be good for any of us no matter our color or differences of opinions.
105
just Robert, so we should have skin color quotas for the debates? The whole idea of winnowing down the field is to select the top candidates and give the voters a chance to hear from them before the primaries and caucuses begin. Makes sense to me.
The field could have been narrowed for today's debate to Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren. One of those three will be the nominee. Joe Biden, most likely. He's the only one with a shot at beating Donald Trump. Even his shot is a long one, though.
Start getting ready for four more years of Donald Trump. It's coming.
9
In my opinion, the DNC devised a method which worked against the interests of all the candidates. We didn't have "debates" -- we had "meet the candidates" nights, with the media trying to gin up controversies to make these events into "horse races" which would generate viewers and commentary.
Artificial limits and requirements hurt candidates early on and made it impossible to increase their "bases' because they weren't on TV to state their positions on the issues and to become known to the people they were trying to reach.
We never saw several worthy candidates because they did not "measure up" to the DNC's pre-qualifications. They never had a chance.
I hope ... I urge the DNC to reevaluate their approach and methods long before the next presidential election season is upon us. This one doesn't work. It's un-Democratic.
3
We can’t go backwards. The country has serious problems. The old status quo won’t work. We need new ideas. Bold ideas. And even if we don’t get there, we’ll at least turn this ship around to start heading in the right direction.
12
It is shocking that in the context of a federal debt of $23 trillion and growing, the candidates are arguing about Sanders’ alleged remark. What are we coming to?
494
@Ken M.
We have come to the feminist litmus test.
12
@New World
Republicans used to say the similarly about the ever growing massive debt.....until they started being the cause of it. Similarly, Democrats never said boo about the debt while they were causing it. But now when Republicans are causing it, suddenly it is the evil bogeyman.
Da ya think there's a lesson there?
17
@Errol
Apparently you forget that after Reagan ran up our debt to the greatest in its history, Bill Clinton managed to give us a surplus which the Republicans have blown through not for the good of most Americans but to feed the greed of the wealthiest.
19
What is interesting is a lack of highlighting some basic key differences on major issues.
1. Warren is clear -- All US troops out of the ME. That is about 65,000, including the 14,000 in Afghanistan. Debate point: Yes or no? Comment we have 120,000 combat troops in Europe. Seems the troops in Europe are FAR less needed than those in the ME. This is a differentiator between democratic candidates.
2. Sanders is clear in his closing statement; Its 99% of us against 1% of us. He has said this over and over. This is also a differentiator between democratic candidates.
Comment: The top 1% of wealth holders have 32% of our nations wealth. But the top 1% of income earners also pay 37% of all of our federal income tax dollars. 1 out of every 6 retirees ( about 17%) of retirees are millionaires. All data from the federal reserve.
The solution to Bernie's anger mission against who ever the 1% are can largely be solved by Andrew Yang's Universal Basic Income, which is working in a modest form in Stockton California at this time.
6
@Mark This is rubbish. It is based on the dishonest use of the average wealth of retirees. The average is skewed by a handful of rich. The median wealth of retirees is $200K and this includes the value of their homes.
Bernie and Liz are correct. A relatively small number of people have most of the income and wealth. This has resulted from relentless tax cuts for the rich over the past 40 years. This money must be recouped through tax increases on the incomes and wealth of the rich and corporations. Otherwise, further concentration of income and wealth along with the fascism embodied and engendered by Trump will bring this country down.
2
Pete Buttigieg must have scripted his closing remarks before this evening's debate, since he led off with his usual appeal to the presumed exhaustion of voters with the back-and-forth ostensibly on display during the preceding two hours.
Well, speaking as a voter who has diligently watched the entire sequence of debates so far, I will admit to some level of exhaustion, but it is not due to whatever policy disagreements come up in two hours of debate literally structured to elicit them, but to the sheer length of this process, so far in advance of the election itself that whatever positions candidates take will likely turn out to be irrelevant come this fall.
On the contrary, though, what I heard tonight was something a lot more like convergence, and an increasing seriousness shared by all Democrats that regardless of anything else, that Donald Trump and his Republican enablers must go.
One of the most applauded moments was when Sanders expressed the belief that, regardless of who is ultimately nominated, the entire Democratic party and everyone on that stage will be mobilized behind them to make that happen.
That is what I have been waiting to hear. I was clapping too.
20
Warren is the most intelligent, focussed, clear and energetic of all of these candidates.
She delivered tonight and proved that she can take on trump and fight for American workers!
Go Elizabeth!
31
@TJ
And changes her positions with the wind.
5
Pete Buttigieg is still clearly my favorite: Smart as a whip, concise, kind. My sense is that he understands complex problems, and while he doesn’t have Biden’s political experience, he is extremely well-read and informed. Plus his moral compass seems optimally calibrated. Don’t we all yearn for a return to decency in the White House.
As much as I’d like to have more women on the stage, I was disappointed to have the slightly annoying Amy Klobuchar there, but not Andrew Yang.
I’m deeply grateful to Bernie, who - over the decades - has probably influenced all these candidates more than they might realize, but the USA needs a younger President for these times.
10
@Brigitta K Wiesel
Bernie's election slogan is "us, not me". Despite his age his ideas and policies have overwhelmingly connected with the under 45 demographic and there are now many in government(AOC for example) that represent the future of progressive politics in America.
If he is elected, there will be many like minded younger politicians following right behind him.
4
@Brigitta K Wiesel
When he started his campaign, Buttigieg started on the right foot. However, when he started collecting a significant amount of corporate/lobbyist dollars, his policies changed and just became a younger corporate/establishment centrist version of Joe Biden with little black or young voter support.
1
I found myself proud that the field of candidates is so strong. Honestly I would be happy to support any of them (though I found Biden the least impressive; I think he’s running out of a sense of duty). I was glad there were only 6 on the stage, not 20. I wish we were having an all country primary on the 3rd rather than just Iowa. Time to pick a candidate and just get on our way.
6
The debates this time around are a lot worse than those in 2015-16, for both Republicans and Democrats. Not that debates are ever that helpful in deciding on a candidate. Just like job interviews, candidate debates seem like they should be a good way to choose but they aren't. Good in theory. Bad in practice.
And especially with these six candidates. Debates aside, not a one of them has a track record of getting things done. Reminds me of Paul Simon's words in the song:
Going to the candidates' debate.
Laugh about it, shout about it,
When you've got to choose,
Any way you look at it, you lose.
5
Why is it never brought up that a presidential win by either Sanders or Warren would likely result in their states' Republican governors appointing Republican senators to replace them? With the incredibly difficult - and vital - task of the Democrats to retake the Senate, such a move could be disastrous.
8
The debate tonight surrounding health care often misses a flagrant point that could, over time, dramatically reduce the cost of health care in the US: preventative public health measures.
As a graduate student studying public health, I can certainly say that there is not enough emphasis on preventative health measures and health education. These preventative measures include vaccinations, low-cost Naloxone treatment to prevent overdoses, healthy/accessible food options, etc.
I understand that we have a severely broken health care system (and should lean more towards a single-payer model in the future-- but it's not going to happen overnight, as suggested by Bernie/Warren). However, we should be investing in preventative public health resources, instead of trying to fix the problems after the damage is already done.
Of course, that model is not appealing to anyone in Washington, D.C., but I do think as citizens we have the opportunity to advocate in our local communities for these types of resources that could end up saving thousands of lives... and dollars.
14
Still like Liz and Bernie best. I guess Biden had a stuttering problem at one time which he overcame, but I am put off by his stumbling, slurred speech. And by his status-quo old-fashioned belief system. Will the Neil Kinnock incident ever resurface?
I miss Yang. Off to contribute.
14
What an excellent night for the U.S. in terms of listening to politicians that actually sound sane. Some of the pundits wanted more friction but I think it was nice that the candidates could actually support another's candidates comment and still make distinctions in their positions. The pundits on CNN are saying Warren won the debate but personally I think Buttegig did. I actually found Warren was a bit sly with the women being elected thing and what she says Bernie said, it was an obvious very planned commentary there, she seemed quite eager to make her points on it and it made me wonder if she purposely planned the whole thing whether Bernie said a woman can't win or not.
12
@Karena
Just wanted to add that I think Steyer did well too. And Biden's closing comments were strong and compelling. I like Amy's realistic and pragmatic approaches and I like her humour as well.
8
@Karena
She refused to shake his hand at the end of the debate. The man who always graciously states, “He respectfully disagrees”! Warren began her campaign stating “I’m with Bernie” and raised her hand in support of Medicare for all. She took our money, and now she supports the ACA.
5
@rebecca1048
Yes, I saw they had a bit of an exchange, Bernie put up his hands in what seemed a bit of exasperation at the end of their exchange. Yes, she's taken some heat for her flip flop there. Personally, I don't think she will get the nomination though.
3
The biggest loser of this debate were the American people. Why? Because the moderators didn’t present a level playing field in their questioning of the candidates. They found Sanders to be guilty before a word in reply was able to exit his mouth, while giving the easy chair to Biden, Klobuchar, and Buttigieg.
Shame on the corporate media and the advertisers who support and enable them.
189
@Susan Buchsbaum
Yes, the moderators looked more like "shills" for the healthcare and fossil fuel industry, not journalists.
10
@Susan Buchsbaum
Shame on the people who bother to watch this "thing" which isn't a debate at all. It's just a really bad reality TV show, which actually has very poor Nielsen ratings - just 6.17 million viewers last time.
7
@Susan Buchsbaum
While playing medical insurance adds.
Look at the facts, folks. All you are going to get with Biden is more of the same middle-of-the-road corporate politics. The guy flat out lied tonight, saying he was against the disastrous travesty of the Iraq War from the start. EVEN in 2003 he defended his vote for war. Not until 2005 did he say he regretted it.
True leaders have courage and vision. That's NOT Biden. That's NOT Hillary Clinton.
Bernie DID vote against the war.
132
@Lewis Ford Biden, like Hillary, did not intend to vote for a rush to War in Iraq. Both favored forcedweapons inspections before a war. That was what they said at the time.
2
@Lewis Ford
I heard Biden say that his early support of the Iraq war was a mistake. He believed Cheney about the WMD
2
Healthcare: We get that public taxes offset private premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. But the actual numbers matter. I’m good at math, and I find hand-waving verbal discussions of numbers utterly useless. I recall Bernie being ridiculed for bringing charts and graphs to a debate. Were the shamers afraid the audience wouldn’t understand visual aids, or were they afraid the audience WOULD understand?
38
If Amy does not shut up when she is supposed to, I am going to turn this debate off. She is so annoying - why is she there and Yang not?
39
Debate conclusions
Biden/Sanders - Too, too old
Buttigieg: Too rehearsed
Klobuchar: Too much rouge
Warren: Just right!
45
@Zara1234
The one thing you can critique Senator Klobuchar on is her make up? This is not RuPaul’s Drag Race, but a high-stakes political one.
10
@Zara1234 Her heart might be in the right place, but not her voice or presence.
6
She reminds me of Jane Eyre, plain but intelligent.
2
Bloomberg best way to beat Trump is to buy FOX News. Best use of your billions.
384
Zoe, best comment! I wish he could do that, but I'm guessing that Murdoch isn't selling.
17
Apparently you've never heard of Sinclair or Newsmax. They make Fox News look liberal. Even if Bloomberg were to buy Fox News, it would be like a game of whack a mole. The conservatives will pop up with a few more networks. No, you can't buy the silence of the ultra right. Bernie, Elizabeth, Mayor Pete and, yes, Bloomberg, are on my short list of where the candidates as a vote this year. Bloomberg's record in New York City demonstrates that his money is besides the point. that's why he's on my shortlist.
10
Amy is not strong on the environment.
28
@Mary
Amy and Steyer would be a formidable combination.
And they both (unlike the front runners) seem to have
a good sense of humor. Breitbart (yes, that Breitbart) actually has a good summary of the debate as it happened -- they have an accomplished note-taker --
and a you-can-only-vote-once poll of the favorites.
Amy came in first, followed by Steyer. So that tells
you who conservatives might actually vote for . . . .
1
@Mary: AK is very strong on the environment, but sadly last night, she wasn't directly asked the first question on climate change and so was limited to a ludicrous 45 second response. She was the first candidate to link climate change to Midwest flooding, for example, but last night, she was cut off before having a chance to discuss it.
✅We must vote for who will beat Trump even if it’s not our first choice
30
Exactly!
Bernie 2020
22
@Tracy And that person is......?
1
@Tracy
You have to do more than vote. Donations, time, register people to vote, get people involved. Which campaigns can do this?
The line from Senator Klobuchar about a decency check resonated with me.
A check Trump can't write nor cash.
Either Klobuchar or Warren are who I'm leannig towards. Trump fears strong, intelligent and capable women.
30
I am so disappointed in Warren and CNN. First for a Warren’s campaign (I believe) falsely saying Sanders would say a women couldn’t get elected. He is one of the only people in politics that is truly honest. It doesn’t add up that he would say that; to say something that would hurt him and help her, come on folks! Second, CNN stating that he said that like it is a fact, not something in dispute. CNN is awful. Might start believing Trump that they are fake news! The more scale tipping “news” organizations do the less people trust them; Simple as that.
151
@Persimonjam
I did hear Anderson Cooper say post debate that only Sanders and Warren know what was said bc they were the only 2 people in the room.
24
@Lambnoe
It would seem though based on her response, Warren went against the best interests of her team and what they stated officially online, by her maintaining the status quo and instead of putting the whole issue to bed right there on the stage, she very well may have damaged her chances going forward.
10
@Deus I agree. Although I'm a Bernie supporter and thus hardly neutral, I found his answer believable, whereas Warren, in her response, seemed like she wanted to damage Bernie and then scurry away from her answer as quickly as possibly. Coupled with her classless and graceless refusal to shake Bernie's hand after the debate, I predict she's going to be damaged by this. I for one will now work harder to defeat her.
19
Amy Klobuchar is smart but on every question asked she just keeps talking when her time is over. She does it every time and just keeps going. On this alone I would never vote for her. This along with her treatment of her staff as outlined by the NYT's give her no chance.
29
@Jack Right, because Donald trump will certainly stop talking when the light goes on.
3
Warren talks too much too. Every single debate, she has recorded the most time. On and on she goes: corrupt America.
2
@Jack: so did the other candidates, except Biden, which oddly make it seems he is more concerned with being polite.
The NYTimes did Klobuchar a major disservice very early on with a completely one-sided piece about her alleged mistreatment of staff. Not one staffer quoted in the article allowed his/her name to be used. Moreover, several dozen AK staffers signed an open letter saying she was a hard but fair taskmaster, demanding the best and repeatedly showing appreciation for their work.
With only six candidates, the time allotments should have been expanded to enable each of them to more fully answer. How can anyone detail health care reform steps in 45 seconds? That's absurd.
1
I am still with Bernie.
And yes, I am a woman. And black.
Call it what you want but he is indeed the father of modern day liberalism (dare I say democratic socialism?) in America. A form of government that mirrors that of our Western European allies.
I find it ridiculous that I can live in the EU as a non-EU citizen and get quality health-care without breaking the bank. It's a shame that this country cannot provide such a service.
As for this silly squabble, I like Warren. She's #2 for me.
But I'll take Bernie and his cantankerous ways. Why take a copy when you have the original?
342
@Up Down All Around I agree. This was the first debate I could stand to listen to, too much at stake. I was surprised to like Tom Steyer. He and Bernie the least scripted and Bernie is the real deal. Climate and corruption in our government are neck and neck for me and as Warren said, no point taking on climate (or anything else) while the corporations are still pulling the strings.
37
@M.L.
The problem with Steyer was that he seem to have found out there was a problem with fossil fuels only after he had made a lot of money investing in them.
14
@Up Down All Around
Isn't it amazing that in the wealthiest country in the history of the world and where the president says we have the greatest economy in its history that we still can't do whatever other industrialized country in the world has done: guarantee everyone healthcare.
30
What a snoozefest. Meanwhile in Milwaukee Trump fills another arena to capacity.
18
@Porch: Sure Trump fills another arena to capacity, but did he say anything that was true, coherent, or on an adult level? If you think the debate was a snoozefest, maybe a lot of the talk was over your head.
2
@Porch
Yep, and who do Trump's crowd want to "lock up" tonight?
1
Another debate when there is no mention of the Supreme Court damage already done by the Republicons, and the prospect of the complete loss of democracy if Cult 45 persists. Klobuchar came closest with her mention of king and crown. But her closing statement was disappointing. Why not "us" instead of "you"?
4
Here we go again with Sanders not getting the same air time... ugh it is so annoying that Klobucher keeps going over her time... we need a mute button... turn her mike off
68
@Concerned millennial
Also made my choice on who I am donating money to as it is clear that Bernie will continue to not get fair and equal coverage from the main stream media. Happy to add to his grass roots supplied “war chest”. Bernie has states he will be the organizer and chief and this is what we need. Also, the fact that what the Republican led Senate and president are doing to the courts/ Judicial system was not mentioned in the debate is alarming.
24
Where have these politicians been all my life? The only I can find who cared when I was working minimum wage is Bernie.
122
@rebecca1048 I'd like to recommend this one thousand times. Thank you.
19
@rebecca1048
And not a single one listened to him! They’ve been too busy filling their pockets!
18
@rebecca1048
Warren said she didn't find out that the disadvantaged in the country were suffering until she was in he mid 40s and required an academic study to tell her this.
In contrast, Sanders has known the truth of this his whole adult life.
25
THE OPENING STATEMENT WE DIDN’T HEAR.
America was built on the ideal that the sum of all our differences makes us better. Strength, compassion, diversity, tolerance, honesty, the idea that everybody deserves a fair shot, that nobody should be left behind. These are the values that make America great.
Our founding fathers didn’t say it would be easy, but they said it would make us free.
The candidates on this stage represents America and these values that have always made America great. And this is the strength of the democratic party. We are a big family: we are different, we disagree, sometimes we fight, but there is place here for everybody. And we respect each other even if we’re different.
To all of you watching us tonight I say this: I will fiercely debate and compete for the nomination to be your next President. But, if I do not win, I promise you that I will keep knocking on every door and I will continue working as hard as I can to make sure that we, the Democratic Party, take back presidency of United States.
And know that I will not hesitate a second to cast my own vote, and ask my supporters to vote for you Bernie, Pete, Joe, Elizabeth, Amy, or even for you Tom.
We have different ideas on how to get there, but we all share the same values and the same dreams.
And to Trump and his Republican Stepford wives in Congress: If you think we’re divided and weak, you are wrong! This is America, not some authoritarian racist regime. And we’re taking it back.
38
I’m bored. To be completely honest, I dozed off for a couple minutes.
Do none of these people have speechwriters who know how to write speeches? To write speeches that get you excited, get the pulse going a little faster, to feel a burst of adrenaline and hope?
This is like watching a debate among accountants. (Sorry accountants, probably just showing my ignorance of the issues in your field.)
Maybe it’s because I’ve watched every debate. But then I watched every debate with President Obama, and many, many of his speeches, and boy, he knew how to use the language in ways that were positively entrancing.
If one of these candidates makes it to the White House, I think it will be primarily because a majority wanted Mr. Trump out.
But that person will have the task of pulling this nation back together again, and that will require the language of leadership.
217
I agree. A discussion amongst accountants would have been a breath of fresh air after tonight’s debacle.
16
@Alan
I'll take calm, rational, dignified, and informed over Trump's blathering ignorance and nasty rhetoric any day of the week. I'm so tired of his voice, his face, his constant and desperate need for attention. Please let's change this country back to rational, dignified, leadership and get the vitriolic narcissist out of the White House.
105
@Alan Warren absolutely makes me feel hopeful. She understands that the problem in the US is that the government is run by corporations for the benefit of corporations, AND she has a plan to fix that!
Yes, Obama was eloquent, but in the end he sold out the working and middle classes. Wall Street and Corporate America were not held accountable, and the rest of us suffered, and are still suffering.
Give me Warren’s straight talk any day!
52
Biden is struggling. It's more than stuttering. It's saying something he didn't mean to say, causing him to repeatedly correct himself. Whatever the reason, whatever the diagnosis, this is troubling to see, troubling that he's the leader among Democrats polled nationally and that he's running for president. He's simply less coherent than the others. That's a problem. A good president needs to be an effective communicator.
377
@blgreenie As someone who has a speech impediment, I reluctantly agree.
21
@blgreenie I became convinced tonight that a Biden candidacy will be a disaster. He will get bludgeoned in a debate with Trump. He is a very good man and has served our country with dignity, but if he becomes the candidate I will be terrified of being stuck with Trump until 2024. Both Bernie and Warren will be able to handle Trump in a debate and they will also energize the base; I became convinced tonight that this will be the formula. The other three candidates are all impressive, I just don't think they have a chance.
73
The handling of the debate by CNN is atrocious. Asking about Bernie's supposed comment that a woman could not be elected was simply put out to try to start an argument between he and Warren. Cutting candidates off in mid statement takes away from the entire debate. If you set arbitrary time limits you can't get reasonable responses. Limit the number of questions and shorten the length of the questions.
194
Where’s Joe Biden been all of these years when it comes to this economic debate he is looking forward to with Trump. It’s been raging for years and the only one I can find who understood is Bernie.
54
Bernie versus President Trump in the fall of 2020. The voters will have clear choice of the direction they want the government to go.
85
I'm happy that the Dems didn't spend the night fighting each other. It was a civilized debate. Warren and Sanders didn't rise to the bait when the CNN host tried to get them to mix it up. Their answers were very smart. Warren's answer was the best.
We can feel good that there is more than one Dem candidate that is decent, intelligent, and has a plan for how they want to lead the country and oust Trump and his enabler sycophants. Once we all get behind the eventual candidate, the Dems should go all out to get their voters to the polls, especially in the key states to win the electoral college in a big way. Won't it be great not to have the daily stress of the Trump presidency?
32
So folks .... who sounds the most logical, the most clear headed, the most articulate, the most free of underlying “issues”, the least stammering, the least preachy, the most....presidential ? Yes. Pete Buttigieg.
94
@Hortencia
Ten years from now, after Pete Buttigieg has acquired political experience on the state and national level, he could make a good President. Now he'd be hampered by even less experience than Carter and Obama when they were elected. They both had problems getting things done because they didn't know enough about wheeling and dealing in Washington.
9
@Hortencia
He is a phenomenon. I especially like his foreign policy proposals.
2
@Hortensia
Yes, indeed! Just sent him a campaign contribution.
2
I really wish the Democratic Party & Democrats would stop assuming Biden is the de facto candidate. That’s what happened with Hillary. It was just assumed it was her turn.
443
@LP I dont think people are. With that said, however, I think that Biden is the best candidate to vote Trump out. Everybody who wants Trump out -- Dems, independents, never Trumpers, conservatives who no longer support him, etc. -- needs to be able to get behind someone collectively. A lot of those people -- despite their wish to see Trump voted out -- will not vote for Sanders or Warren. We also need to get the message out that NOT voting b/c you do not like the Dem candidate, is a vote for Trump.
21
@Luv the beach
To think Biden has the best chance of beating Trump is ignoring the reality of 2016 and the same assumption about HC.
18
@LP Are you getting this from FoxNews? Because exactly zero Democratic leaders have said, intimated, or acted like Biden is the de facto nominee. In fact, almost all the public statements are about the uncertainty of the race. That includes those who've endorsed Biden. Same goes with media, save Fox.
8
"Priority One has to be taking back
our government from corruption."
-- Sen Warren
67
@lisa delille bolton what about lying to smear your political rival? That certainly seems morally corrupt.
15
The answer to cleaning corruption from our government is simply get rid of Trump. It is NOT electing Warren. Warren brings on a whole new set of problems, which is called socialism. And that’s a theory that does not work.
4
My biggest takeaway is that it is time for people to decide who the nominee will be.
150
@Lisa Kraus
Which people is that? The people people or the superdelegate people?
14
@Errol get that conspiracy talk out of here. The people will choose their nominee. If we get to a second round of voting at the convention, then you can come and complain.
7
@Errol
There has never been a time when the majority of superdelegates didn't vote for whoever won the majority of the popular vote. A contested convention generally leads to defeat in the general election. They are there to move things along so we don't end up in a knock down drag out fight on national TV.
2
I'm snoozing on the couch, intermittently waking up to see what is happening. Did I miss a question about climate change? Come on CCN. Australia is burning. The seas are getting warmer. Attention must be paid.
56
@A Stor mo Chroi , and the temperature hit 82 on Jan 14 in Houston. Yes we're Texas, but we're not typically this warm in our winter. Our spring and summer are forecasted to be a challenging flood time.
6
In Dallas on Friday it was 72°, that night we had driving rain and tornados, Saturday morning it snowed. It’s Texas and anything can happen with the weather but it does seem to be more wildly unpredictable and erratic.
I would ask candidates -in order to beat Trump you'll need to galvanize the youth. How do you expect to ignite enthusiasm given the average age of candidates here is 64 and way more homogenous than America?
79
@TWShe Said Bernie has the youth in his corner. He has been endorsed by the Sunrise Movement which is a movement of young people to stop the climate crisis.
I got an email from the Sunrise Movemen today: "Sunrise endorsed Bernie Sanders last week because he’s shown time and time again that he’s ready to fight for our generation and the Green New Deal. Now, our teams in Iowa and New Hampshire are putting all their energy into turning out young people for Bernie.
We have hundreds of young people who are ready to go to Iowa and NH and put Bernie over the top but we need to raise money to house, train and outfit them with materials."
I sent them $10.
108
@TWShe Said So what do you think happened in 2016? The difference was less than 100K votes.
About homogeneity, have you looked at the Republican party lately?
14
Vote for Pete.
16
I have the same reaction to this as to every debate: that Biden is perceived to be doing well because he's being graded on a curve, while his answers tend to ramble in ways that I find alarming. He just isn't as sharp as the others at this point, and I think that in many ways he really isn't a strong candidate. There's a reason he never won the nomination himself. The fact that many voters (including the black voters he likes to reference) say they support him because of electability creates a dangerous circular argument, where people without much enthusiasm for him are voting for him on the assumption that others, elsewhere, have enthusiasm for him. Any of the other candidates inspire a lot more energy from their supporters.
568
@RVC
Some of your comments seem reasonable, and I'm sure they're somewhat valid. However, I'd point out that Biden's failure to win the nomination is something he has in common with Sanders. Ironically, those two are the leading candidates, and it's likely that one of them will win the nomination.
I've never thought of "energy" as being important. It's probably hard to measure. And I don't think there's anything "circular" about supporting the person who's most likely to beat Trump.
I don't care that much about passion, energy, or unity. This election is about winning at least 270 electoral votes. It looks like the election is going to be close. That means winning places like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. That also means having chances in places like North Carolina, Ohio, Florida, Texas, and Arizona.
Right now, Joe Biden is probably the Democratic candidate who's most likely to win at least 270 electoral votes. Who's next? Probably Bernie Sanders.
The folks in the Trump campaign know what's going on. My best guess is that they're more concerned about Biden (and to a lesser extent, Sanders) than the other candidates.
9
@RVC
Biden's "secret sauce" is that he's not a far left progressive. Sanders and Warren are literally chasing people towards him.
8
@RVC
I agree, it's a dangerous circular argument. Plus, if only one progressive had been running this whole time, he/she would have held a majority in the polls throughout the race. The narrative around electability would have been very different.
7
Bernie is killing it. He is the best candidate in the pack, with a true moral compass.
Biden, former Mayor Pete, and Klobuchar are offering incrementalism, and I won't be alive to "benefit" from their step-by-step approaches. Same old, same old. I want Medicare for All NOW.
My dream ticket would be Bernie as POTUS and Warren as VP. I like them both. They're both qualified for office.
If Bernie "kicks the bucket" in office, Warren would be a decent replacement. I appreciate her conversion to the left (she was a Republican well into her adult years), but there is something to be said for ideological consistency.
Bernie has been politically and morally correct for decades. I appreciate Warren's recent conversion to progressivism, but Bernie has been a champion of the working class, and everyone else who is struggling, for decades.
SANDERS/WARREN. My dream ticket.
255
@Simon Taylor I agree with your sentiments. but I do not think Warren is up to speed on American foreign policy and its military misadventures abroad. Can we send her A People's History of the United States, or a coupon good for lunch with Amy Goodman and/or Noam Chomsky?
12
@Simon Taylor
Sadly, this also is Donald Trump's dream ticket and we need to think about that.
20
@Simon Taylor Restructuring a 3.6 trillion dollar industry that directly employs about 18 million people takes more than passing a law declaring "Medicare for all"! There are thousands of regulations, billing systems, interconnected medical record programs and other complex and interdependent processes that would be impacted by such a change. Medicare for all is a noble goal but is not as easy as the president snapping his (or her) fingers.
13
I have just watched the part of the debate about “ free tuition at public colleges for all”. Come on, this completely begs the question and none of them, not Bernie, not Liz, NONE OF THEM seem to recognize that these are false equivalences. What child of a millionaire/billionaire will attend a public college if they have an alternative. And they all do. They will go where they go now: Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Brown, Amherst, Colgate, etc, etc. I am the product of a fine liberal arts college. It didn’t cost $60,000 plus a year then. How many extraordinary talents are we missing because those kids can’t get access to our finest educational institutions. Will not the unintended consequence of free public college for all simply dilute the potential quality of education? Sorry, but look what has happened to our public schools and to adequate compensation for the teachers who provide it. These proposals will only extend the problem to our public colleges and create a two tier system. Hooray for NYU Medical School!
7
@Jane Welsh I think our public K-12 is excellent in most places but then I've only seen it first hand in these states: OH (between 17-21 years old), MD, CA, WA, and now NY.
1
The whole free college concept will DESTROY small liberal arts colleges, like Colgate and Hamilton in NY. Hello community college (which is already free or almost-free in many communities.) It won’t affect the ivies because they already have huge endowment funds AND already provide free college to those who need it.
Who will this program really benefit? The candidate who says these things to get the vote.
2
Thank you nytimes for covering these debates. You could not pay me enough to make me watch them live!
17
Butiegeg is much too young. Maybe in 2024?
Steyer can be a presidential adviser, has some new good ideas.
Biden is creepy as he is older.
Bernie refused to endorse Hilary to his followers in 2016 so he is largely to blame for her loss. He is too old and always angry.
Warren and Klobucher are no Hilary Clinton in terms of history of service, competence, a brilliant mind.
May the most qualified person win regardless of gender.
In the end I will support whoever among them wins the Democratic Party nomination and work to get out the vote on Nov 3. Am an independent.
23
Pete is NOT too young! How old do you think JFK was?
12
@X from Sander's website:
"In the final 4 months before Election Day 2016, Sanders held 39 rallies in 14 states on behalf of Clinton’s campaign."
https://www.newyorker.com/news/amy-davidson/bernie-sanderss-hard-fight-for-hillary-clinton
What he told to his followers to do -- or not to do -- is overwhelmed by the above.
16
@Hortencia
Comparing Buttigieg with JFK is ludicrous.
1
In 2016 61.4% of Americans voted in the national and local elections. Almost 40% of Americans don't vote.
The current population of the US is approximately 329,065,000,
Each of these debates has drawn a smaller and smaller audience.
The last debate about 5 million people or 1.5% of Americans watched the debate.
I doubt that many watched tonight's debate.
The DNC plans three more debates in February or one every 10 days.
I live in a suburb of Washington, DC and am a physician. All of my patients are college grads.
None of them are watching the debates.
The candidates on stage with the possible exception of Pete and Amy, neither of whom I expect to take the nomination, are in any position to take on Trump who currently is on target to win Iowa.
Biden seems to have a major problem expressing himself tonight without closing his eyes and stumbling over his words.
Bernie and Warren are the same as always in their exposition of far left, soak the rich, multi-trillion dollar pie in the sky plans that could never pass Congress and certainly not be embraced by Americans.
The only person who can actually take on Trump and win the nomination, probably on a second ballot with the aid of superdelegates, is Mike Bloomberg.
He is not on the debate stage but is very busy building a national campaign with offices in 33 states and over 1,000 full time experts in local and national politics.
I expect him to take the nomination and be the next president.
18
I pray your prediction is wrong. Mike is the worst.
8
@Simon Sez
That is all Bloomberg has is money. He won't show up to the debates because the others will make mincemeat of his polices and he certainly has no connection whatsoever to the younger voter and working people.
4
@Simon Sez Bloomberg is worth over 58 billion dollars. What interest do you think he has in mind? It's not ours.
2
Wrong title. They are not really clashing
17
Every psychologist in the world knows, 0-4 are the most important years of human life-emotionally and intellectually--Sanders
Amen--
72
So far the debate has not covered the most pressing issue the United States has been facing for decades and is only getting worse that has been leading to other issues such as crime, homelessness and many other issues, such as mental health issues that leads to homelessness, other crimes etcetera, etc. and around, around again...
Illicit DRUGS...
Most families have, are or sometime in the future will be facing problems that revolve around opioids, Meth and even marijuana.
6
@MDCooks8 and the aging population. There will be more people over 80 than at any time in history and no is talking about it or remotely prepared.
3
The discussion about health care among all these candidates is all about insurance coverage but nothing about actually improving the health of Americans.
It's like debating the cost and replacement of blown tires without examining the conditions of the road. Why are all these spiky nails on the highway? Why all these potholes?
Let's talk about simple, inexpensive ways to improve Americans' health as well as debating how to care for ourselves once our mortality inevitably makes us ill.
239
@Gluscabi - Unfortunately, we live in a nation that does not have a single-payer national network, paying all of the bills. Our system is run as a "managed-illness for profits" with insurance corporations making patient-doctor decisions, and taking massive profits as the middleman. A huge portion of the money paid for healthcare is currently being wasted on paperwork aimed at denying claims. More than 500,000 families every year go bankrupt due to unpaid medical bills and the majority had insurance when they first became ill or injured or began trying to save the life of a child. In all other top 20 nations, those families would not go bankrupt. People would not be required to pay large annual deductibles at the beginning of every year before being able to get any health care. This is why we are paying twice as much as any other nation for "healthcare" that is only managed illness for profits and does not encourage people to get healthy and stay healthy ... because in this country, there's not profits in treating healthy people. That's the biggest reason health care should be a right of everyone, paid for as a nation.
83
@Gluscabi -- the only people who can improve the health is Americans themselves. Come on, you have a brain. Eat the right food. Then you won't get so sick and won't need Big Pharma's "help" which probably just gets you sicker.
We need basic health coverage for everyone. And judging from what you said, perhaps incentives for people to lead a healthier life.
Only in America there is emphasis on curing people. Whatever happened to make sure that people don't get sick in the first place.
Of course, we'd probably have to tell them about fast food and all the junk sold in supermarkets. And people will have to be willing to make a change which is not easy because this junk that is masquerading as food is so easy and so cheap to get.
28
@Gluscabi Definitely need to push preventive health and education. Also, the health care delivery system needs an overhaul as well. We need to better fund the mental health care delivery system and make providers more accessible in underserved areas (e.g., establish mental health care specialty in National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program [NHSC LRP]). We need to revamp and upgrade the public health system across the country (IOM has done studies on this). And these systems need to be integrated.
16
CNN’s coverage is banking on the notion that women are impulsively allegiant to emotions surrounding any potential threat womanhood. It’s insidious, degrading, and reductive.
The moderators are outright encouraging a ‘let’s snap our fingers as women moment’.
It’s patronizing.
I don’t like how Warren has manipulated the public narrative knowing full well that CNN will report on nebulous unsubstantiated hogwash, as a means to play up a nonevent. I don’t like it, I don’t like it at all.
244
Bernie made the substantiated-by-Warren an event, by lying about it.
8
@Zed And unsubstantiated by the washington post's two other sources. Seems unlikely one of the most anti-bernie newspaper would be running a refutation of warren's statements unless it was some solid information. Either way its just as solid as the original CNN report and warren/bernies own testimony. As in nobody actually can know who said what besides the two of them. And when it comes to integrity I think most people see Sanders as more trustworthy.
8
@Maria Costa
As a feminist woman, I certainly have no allegiance to sexism or sexist narratives that automatically portray women as "manipulative" and discount their eye-witness testimony as "nebulous, unsubstantiated, hogwash." For women who take sexism very seriously and challenge their own internalized sexism, sexist acts and words are not "a nonevent."
5
Bernie....Stop preaching at me! Agggh. My ears shut down!
56
I just watched a segment of the Democratic presidential debate.
There is nobody smart enough on that stage to understand the problem.
THEY are the problem.
The are running as the DEMOCRATIC candidates for the president.
The Democratic Party equally shares the responsibility with the GOP for the colossal national debt, the chronic trade deficits, the endless wars, the two times higher cost of medical care per capita compared to the rest of the developed world, the government run by the lobbyists and the global corporations, the free press being in a back pocket of the big business, the enormous opioid crisis, the overwhelming popularity of the most cruel sport in human history since the ancient Roman gladiators, the endless brainwashing of the young generations by the deceptive ads, and the global warming endangering the very survival of the human race.
Those candidates believe they can solve all those problems by working for a party that created them…
Good night, I am going to sleep. Watching those presidential debates is for the viewers that as gullible as Pinnochio…
P.S. What kind of party would discuss whether a woman could be the president? Haven’t they read the Constitution yet?
29
@Kenan Porobic
"Charlotte, NC"
lol okay
1
Sanders, a one-issue candidate. Healthcare for all. Which I agree with.
There's nothing "socialist" about it. Are providing police protection, fire departments, libraries, schools, road construction and upkeep, and other such public services funded by the taxes which we pay socialism? I think not.
Get it done and who cares what we call it.
186
@MIKEinNYC Its funny how everyone who holds up how other major developed country provides universal healthcare act as if it is free to the citizens. Newsflash- they are paying the equivalent on premiums. In Germany it is paid for through taxes ON EVERY WORKER. It is financed in the exact same way that Social Security is covered in the US. In China they guarantee basic health care through public and private insurance but the public side only covers 50% of basic costs and less of more severe health issues.
Healthcare is not free to citizens of these countries. It is not exclusively covered by taxing the wealthy. They are all paying for it through taxes.
10
@MIKEinNYC almost none of those things are paid for by federal tax. I don’t need the greedy, crony capitalist building a dysfunctional healthcare system on my dime.
3
@DC
It's not a newsflash to any intelligent American that universal healthcare is not free in the those countries that have it, and that people pay for it through payroll deductions. The problem in this country is that most Americans want the universal health care, but are tax averse. I have relatives in Germany who pay on average of 35-45% of income, in return for universal health care and education through advanced degrees - at no additional charges.
Long-term health insurance is also included in some countries. And the people are happy with the systems.
18
Warren does have a history of alleging distant past conversations that cannot be verified, conversations with questionable details that just happen to serve her current political interests. .........just sayin.
135
She was a Republican during the Nixon and Reagan eras and only changed parties in 1996 when Clinton was seeking his second term.
17
So, what are you implying? That a woman of publicly unimpeachable character might be vaguely dishonest, on no evidence whatsoever? Misogynistic much?
16
@Rick
I presume her behaviors have not changed as she changed parties.
You would be surprised how similar are the behaviors of Democrat and Republican politicians. But intense partisans of both parties seem blind to those similarities.
2
I am an independent. I did not vote for Mr. Trump in 2016. Nor did I vote for Ms. Clinton.
I am appalled at the democratic slate of candidates. I am equally appalled at the absence of Andrew Yang.
Memo to the Democratic Party: you’re going to have to work a lot harder to get my support in 11 months.
43
@David H Gonna vote for Trump?
16
So is your comment a dare. You’re gonna vote for Trump? Get real. Please.
24
@David H
Any particular reason, anything worthy of discussion? It seems to me there is a plethora of interesting proposals on a variety of topics, across a spectrum.
6
When did Senator Warren quit supporting Medicare for All?
11
@rebecca1048
About 6 seconds after the 2nd poll in a row showed her losing support.
34
@rebecca1048 She has not. It is a matter of process, not of goals.
12
@rebecca1048 She is suggesting that it be achieved by a transitional process over 4 years rather than all at once, both because she thinks that would be easier to pass and easier for people to support. She's in favor of it.
12
All that matters is who can beat Trump.
30
@Bruce Halpern
Then Mitt Romney should be the Dem candidate :-)
9
Which so far is none of them.
6
@Errol Um no. Romney would never win.
4
the question to be put to warren is whether she seriously believes bernie thinks a woman cannot become president or shouldn't try to be or should hold back for pragmatic reasons. assuming she does not actually want to defend this proposition, the matter should be dropped
8
@J Morris Yeah, that'll involve giving people the benefit of the doubt, which humans appear to have forgotten how to do, particularly online.
4
Incredibly rude to Steyer. If he made the cut should be given equal time. (I'm not on his team but fair is fair)
19
@delphine herbert
He paid his way in.
15
@Gregg
Nevertheless, he is on the stage and brings a different perspective and has done his homework. Not in his camp but I think he has some interesting things to say. Missing Yang's participation, although not in his camp either !
6
@Gregg They all pay their way in. Ultimately they become beholden to someone. The favors have to be returned. Even Sanders.
3
After Elizabeth Warren’s answer to the question about the chances of a woman becoming president, we all cheered and I made a donation to both women still in the race to win the presidency. I believe that’s what we all should do, show our support!
195
@Katrina Warren flipped on health when it seemed expedient and now she’s flipping on Bernie. Typical pol.
52
@Katrina
I won't support a woman candidate only because she's a woman any more than I'll support a man only because he's a man. One of the reasons Hillary Clinton lost was the "It's my turn now" attitude.
12
Katrina, well, I'm an old, white male, so I booed Elizabeth Warren and made a donation to Joe Biden. I believe that's what we all should do, show our support!
3
Joe Biden should be ashamed of himself for talking about the JCPOA as though it was good for the civilized West. The agreement allowed Iran to earn hundreds of millions of dollars from trade with the US and the Europeans, while continuing to fund the export of terrorism in the region.
Iran wants all the benefits of economic and political cooperation with the West, but with none of the responsibilities or obligations that come along with it.
A renegotiation of the JCPOA must include a complete cessation of Iranian support to terrorist militia proxies as the indispensable prerequisite to further economic cooperation. Otherwise, the "nuclear deal" is not worth the paper it is printed on.
13
@David H This is known as throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
I think the ME is not our playground to play in. I am a pacifist personally and I'd say Pax Americana is better than Pax China and Pax Russia.
Yet, it was the USA that demonstrated its word was "not worth the paper it is printed on" when Trump tore up the JCPOA.
You can't have everything all at once, and you can't demonstrate your word isn't worth the paper it is printed on and then expect the other side to give you what you want. It is fundamentally wrong.
If Trump apologises sincerely and convincingly, reinstates the JCPOA, and then asks Iran for further negotiations, then perhaps Iran can fairly be expected to listen to us. Otherwise, what rational human being would trust anything we say? Because we have the bigger guns? How's that working out for us?
9
@David H
Any problem with the Saudis earning hundreds of millions of dollars from trade with the US and the Europeans?
They have sponsored two of the deadliest terrorist regimes in the Middle East, Al Qaeda and ISIS. Those regimes have inspired deadly terrorist attacks in the US, the UK, France, Belgium and Spain as well as Boko Haram in Africa.
Remember the Shiite Iranians have long fought against Al Qaeda and ISIS. What Iranian supported regime has committed terrorist activities in the US?
11
Man, as a younger voter, I am very irritated by the gotcha question with Bernie. Honestly, I don’t know if he said a woman could not win but even if we assume he did, isn’t that more of a critique of American voters (who by the way gave us Trump) rather than a critique of women or evidence of Bernie being a misogynist? Moreover, he has also recanted it several times and said repeatedly that he firmly believes a woman could win! Why is the media so fixated on this! They are distracting from real issues affecting real Americans!
856
Paid to do so. That’s all.
37
@Andy P
As older voter: completely agree with you.
67
@Andy P CNN is manufacturing consent. They don't want Bernie. Warren held onto this attack for a year while claiming to be Bernie's friend. It's rare to see someone turn on a friend so viciously. I donated to Warren. Now I need to find a new candidate. Maybe Bernie.
65
You may have the broadest coalition, Biden, but I wouldn't call them ecstatic.
44
@TWShe Said
They don’t have to be; they just need to vote.
6
The candidates first have to get their facts and history straight. Iraq is an alleged war on terror. Vietnam was never declared a war, but a police action to allegedly stop the spread of Communism.
6
“Pell mell into a war with Iran”? What??
“War” with Iran was never a possibility, for the simple reason that Iran’s religious leadership are sane, rational actors whose preeminent objective is survival. Iran’s population does not seek conflict with United States, and their concerns undoubtedly were uppermost in the minds of Iranian decision-makers.
A more accurate description would be that the US operation completely up-ended Iran’s decision making calculus and ultimately deterred Iran from tempting a harsher US response, the scope and nature of which Iranian strategists could not be certain. In the final analysis, the United States and Iran, it seems to me, were not remotely close to war.
Most importantly, Iran now is in the very, very uncomfortable position of not knowing how the US will react if it (Iran) decides to once again act foolishly and harm US interests. Deterrence can be extremely powerful.
10
I got up at 3 a.m. to see this. I have heard more common sense, from ALL Democratic candidates, in the first 45 minutes, than I have in 3 years from ANY GOP politician.
I predict a landslide Democratic victory in November. ANY of these candidates can energise the nation and redirect the nation towards domestic and global cohesion and prosperity.
395
Landslide?
You do not appear to have a very deep understanding of American politics.
47
While watching this debate, I can’t imagine any of these people coming close to a trump. No energy, can’t keep up with what they said in previous debates, and promising things that the average taxpayer is not going to be thrilled to pay for. I still remember the polls from 2016 and how wrong they were. And winning an extra 3 million votes in CA isn’t going to cut it.
28
@Hamid Varzi Wow - if these jokers have made you felt that it will be a landslide, we will see another 2016 where many liberals had another shock thinking how it all went wrong.
12
Where was Andrew Yang?
91
He did not qualify.
6
Too bad. Good man.
32
It is sad to watch Joe Biden. He is simply too old for the Presidency. He is stumbling and has a very hard time completing a thought. It is very sad to watch, someone like maybe his wife has to be honest with him.
467
Joe Biden could have prevented Donald Trump in 2016. He did not run. I do respect his reasons, but that was when the nation needed him, not now past his time and past his window of opportunity. Retire, Sir.
179
@CitizenTM Read Strange Justice. Biden's role in Clarence Thomas' confirmation is very disturbing. He is not fit to be our President. He neither understands or regrets how he failed the American people by his choices. Hillary Clinton was a well qualified candidate and beat her opponent by 3,000,000 votes.
33
@Jack
Sanders is a bit older. They are both fine. Good Americans that want good things for Americans.
11
As much as I hate to say it, none of them seem to be have something better than what Trump is doing right now.
As much as I hate to say it, Trump is breaking away from the red tape and doing things very differently. Today, by ridding us of an IRGC head, the Iranian regime is finding itself at very disturbed position. There is a non-trivial chance of the regime faltering and giving more fodder for protests.
In my heart of hearts, I hate America’s withdrawal from JCPOA but if it’s a temporary setback to achieve the much bigger idea of removing the theological regime, there are a lot of people ready to back it.
The regime lies to its own people, puts them in economic distress, uses state funds to export its version of Islam. None of this should go on any longer
11
@Jagdeer Haleed
Why is Iran worse than N. Korea, which is the major culprit in the proliferation of the N-bomb? And that Kim, is being fawned over by the current resident of the White House. Is Iran worse, because Netanyahu thinks so?
4
@Jagdeer Haleed tell that to the refugee children incarcarated in trump cages and the millions of Americans working 2-3 minimum wage jobs to get by.
10
@Jagdeer Haleed
Our regime here in the US constantly lies to its people and also uses state funds to export versions of its hypocritical Christianity. So what's the difference?
I deeply resent the fact that so many of the Democratic debates have only been available at private sites that are almost impossible to log into. Especially this late in the game, these events of national significance should be broadcast on widely accessible, commercial-free outlets like NPR and PBS.
314
@Martha Goff
CNN.com is streaming in for free
30
It’s streaming on cnn.com live, no login
19
Did you try visiting cnn.com?
8
Warren is right--get troops out of Iraq. Why? Because Iraq wants them out. No one is saying this. The Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi of Iraq said he asked Pompeo to send a delegation from the US to discuss steps for withdrawal of 5200 Americans troops from his country-last Friday. America decides? Why?
39
@TWShe Said
So if Trump wants troops out is it bad. If Warren wants troops out it is good. See how it works?
15
@Steven Starting WWIII is getting troops out? What the What??
6
@TWShe Said Hyperbole. WWIII - tell me which countries will fight against United States and NATO in this imaginary WWIII
2
Sanders--I am able to bring people together to create a world where we solve problems over the negotiating table, not through military efforts
BRAVO
361
As a former Hill staffer he was considered a total crank and couldn’t bring anyone together. Maybe he has had a stellar career in the Senate that I missed.
26
Sanders has been in Congress for 30 years and hasn't been able to negotiate the passage of a single bill he sponsored, other than renaming a few post offices and freeway off ramps
39
@MM
“As a former Hill staffer...”
That speaks for itself. Staffers are slimier than the people for whom they work.
7
I've never been so depressed about an election in my life. There is no way to defeat Donald Trump. Even if he loses at the polls (and there's a great chance he will win again,) the stain he left on the office will last forever. None of the candidates excite me. The election itself doesn't excite me either after the way Trump won, since not even voting made any difference in the end. We are told all our lives to "Vote if you want your voice to be heard." But it makes no difference if the rules are rigged against the voters. Surely I'm not the only person who feels like this.
54
Votes matter. Just ask the former GOP members of the House who were sent packing in 2018.
128
@Kristin excitement doesn't result in good governance. i'm looking for Leadership and vision for the greater common good
31
Snap out of it, Kristin !
The Republicans are counting on your apathy in not wanting to vote.
Not voting is a vote for Trump, the GOP and environmental collapse.
The future of your country depends on voting.
238
Time for Warren to show us she's THE ONE!
Not feeling terribly confident that she will succeed.
10
Betting this debate will be end up being more a critique of CNN’s sensationalism than any of the candidates.
24
Love Sanders using JFK in ad. Great for another President who says "Pahk the Cah". Go Bernie Go.
93
@TWShe Said,
Bernie has a Brooklyn, not Boston accent. Paahking caahs is done only in Boston/New England. Bernie's living in Vermont has not changed the underlying Brooklyn basis of his accent.
7
Klobuchar will be utterly annoying. I'll call it now. I'd rather have fingernails on chalkboard than listen to how annoyed she is with Everything! Slim down this field please--she is single digits.
108
@Gian Piero Messi She is horrible to her staff. It matters how unreasonably and rudely someone treats their support network. It's a character thing.
25
@Gian Piero Messi
Ms. Klobuchar also had a very hard time responding within her allotted time, which means at best an inability to pay attention to it, or worse, disrespectful to the other candidates in the debate.
12
@Gian Piero Messi No clear rationale? I mean, feel free to disagree with Bernie. But to claim his policies and solutions are void of intellectual rigor is to ignore the very candidate who is responsible for some of the most central topics of this election - Medicare for All, wealth tax, racial & economic injustice, climate crisis, among others.
8