Apart from this debate being much more issue-oriented (as opposed to the Trump led circus on the other side), there's nothing new to report here... Winner: HRC - Unscathed and still the most electable No Change: Sanders The semi-interesting "other guy": O'Malley Like DonnyMost said, his delivery is horrendous (and thus irrelevant): Webb Ouch: Chaffee At the end of the day, Hillary performed very well and I wouldn't be surprised if this performance ultimately leads to Biden announcing he's not running. Just my two cents.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lincoln-chafee-awkward_561dcec2e4b028dd7ea5b5fa I watched with an open mind, but I can't shake the feeling that this Democratic field is absolutely terrible.
Sanders has too do a better job next debate on defending himself on the gun issue that politifact says what Clinton put on him was false. Also maybe firing back on Clinton on all her flip flopping on issues. He did very little to gain new support Still really hope Bernie is the next president.
They seemed so much more educated, well spoken and charismatic than the brain dead, obnoxious, uneducated Republicans. They actually spoke about issues as opposed to Republicans taking petty shots and fighting one another
The conventional wisdom among Washington elites that this was a T.K.O for HRC cemented overnight. This morning’s clips are, by far, the best Clinton has enjoyed all year. From nonpartisan reporters to thought leaders across the spectrum, there was a near consensus that Hillary won. The Post’s Karen Tumulty, in an A1 analysis, says that Hillary’s self-assured performance “showed that she remains the person to beat.” “Clinton makes convincing case” is the all-caps banner on CNN.com. Liberal activist Van Jones on CNN: “Hillary Clinton was Beyonce. She was flawless.” Conservative Post columnist Charles Krauthammer on Fox News: “She was competent. She wasn’t afraid. She was aggressive.” New York Times columnist Frank Bruni: “I never doubted that Hillary Clinton had many talents. I just didn’t know that seamstress was among them. There were moments … when she threaded the needle as delicately and perfectly as a politician could.” New Republic senior editor Brian Beutler: “Clinton staked out the sweet spot between aspirational and pragmatic politics, when she dubbed herself ‘a progressive, but…a progressive who likes to get things done.’” Vox.com editor-in-chief Ezra Klein: “Clinton reminded a lot of Democrats that they want her debating the GOP nominee next year.” Mother Jones Washington editor David Corn: “HRC folks should hope for a Clinton-Bush general. Compare her performance to his.” The Atlantic’s James Fallows: “HRC had her best two hours of the past two years.” The Boston Globe’s Annie Linskey highlights Clinton’s disarming sense of humor: “During a commercial break, it took her longer to return to the stage from the bathroom, a fact she attributed to her gender. ‘It takes me longer,’ she said. When asked late in the debate what would distinguish a Clinton presidency from the current administration, she answered simply: She’s a woman.” Post columnist Dana Milbank: “Clinton was a head shorter than her rivals when they lined up on stage for Sheryl Crow’s version of the National Anthem … But after that moment, she towered over them.” The Fix’s Chris Cillizza: “Clinton was confident, relaxed and good-natured. … She also smartly turned at least three questions into broad-scale attacks on Republicans, effectively playing the uniter role for the party — and winning a ton of applause in the process.” New York Times political correspondent Jonathan Martin: “Strong night for Hillary – will calm Dem nerves & tamp down Biden buzz. She helped herself a good deal, was elevated by comparison.” “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd: “Clinton was easily the most polished and prepped candidate on stage. Wasn’t even close. But Sanders isn’t going anywhere.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...ebate-and-six-other-takeaways-from-las-vegas/
My take: First of all, just because one side talks about the issues you care about doesn't mean they are the only ones talking about issues. Overall I was impressed with Anderson Cooper. He was tough on Clinton which a lot of Republicans said he wouldn't be. He also basically committed murder on Chaffee's career. I know Clinton showed a lot of poise in the debate and she clearly is comfortable on the stage, but she doesn't do anything to dispel the idea that she is willing to change on any issue and say anything to get elected. Thought that was a great question from Cooper and she didn't answer it well. She is just like Romney to me. I like how when Bernie Sanders charges that his competitors are bought and paid for and things like that none of them even bother to deny it lol. Poor Jim Webb. He seems delayed. Lincoln Chaffee was destroyed. Martin OMalley seems like the guy that democrats SHOULD get behind. If it weren't for the desperation of the party to elect Hilary I think he would be the preferred candidate.
I only watched a few brief minutes of the debate, to be honest. O'Malley seemed very stiff and rehearsed to me, from what I heard.
Clinton did nothing to damage herself. While she comes off as smug at times, I don't personally have a problem with this. Sanders did ok. As much as I like his ideas, I just don't see how many of them are practical and would be things that could be followed through on with a republican Congress. O'Mally maybe made a few more fans but it's not enough. Webb and Chafee honestly should drop out now. They have no hope to even get their message out if that's what they're trying to do. They were just terrible and nothing about either of them shows to be "presidential". I agree with baller4life315 in that Clinton's performance could help make up Biden's mind to not run if he's still sitting on the fence. At the least, I think it's forced him to s*** or get off the pot in the very near future. He can't wait and allow Clinton to continue to gain ground.
O'Malley seems to be angling for the VP position. Hillary did well last night. She comes off much better when she is being attacked and has to defend herself. When she'd doing her canned responses, like her opening statement, she is terrible to listen to. Sanders did a good job last night as well. I don't know how or why Jim Webb was on stage last night. I thought Webb did a worse job than Chaffey. Both those guys should drop out. They better not be at the next debate.
