For we poor souls that feel obligated to watch every debate, it is a bit like watching a NASCAR race. We see the candidates circling the same track over and over, and are ashamed to admit we are waiting for the big crash.
Before covering the crack up, let's discuss the circles. Conditions were favorable for Bernie. He was more relaxed after winning Michigan. The questions came from the left which is his wheelhouse, with almost no foreign policy questions, which is hers. She was a bit wooden at times but had a wonderful empathetic moment talking to a Guatemalan woman with 5 children whose husband had been deported. She of course exhibited in depth policy understanding, Bernie recited his economic and campaign reform message with a bit of a lilt. On balance a tiny edge to Bernie.
But then Bernie went into the wall. Univision showed a clip from 1985 in which he praised Castro. To mix metaphors, the question started out to be a nasty curve, but hung over the plate. "How does your socialism differ from that of Cuba..." The answer should have been easy. First he should explain that he is a democratic socialist, which means he values the democratic principles of free speech and free and fair elections. Then for the socialism part he should pivot to his economic message of expanding and protecting medicare and social security while ending the rigged economy that cheats the middle class.
Instead, he expounded on his opposition to the Monroe doctrine. If he were to be the nominee, expect to see this clip on a constant loop. For now, just expect a dramatic loss in the Florida Primary.
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