WINNERS
Elizabeth Warren
In a New York minute she took the bloom off the billionaire ex-mayor. She knew the abc's of nda's. She was passionate and aggressive, arresting her downward spiral with a strong bid back into the top tier.
Joe Biden
Like Elizabeth, Joe needed to stop the bleeding. Biden had his best debate, avoiding the destruction derby in the moderate lane. Biden's early problems fueled the Bloomberg surge. Bloomberg's collisions, cleared the path for Joe.
Bernie Sanders
His one note semi-socialist samba, remains atop the Democratic hit parade. Like Dewars Scotch, Bernie never varies. That was enough, on a night when Bloomberg drew the heat. Bernie left the stage, relatively unscathed. That is enough for the front runner.
LOSERS
Mike Bloomberg
As a technocrat, debating has never been a strength. But on Wednesday he was clearly not ready for prime time. A record 20 million viewers tuned in to see the man behind the ads. He looked like New Coke. Well promoted, but not a keeper. No doubt all his well shod horses, and well paid men will be able to put his image back together again. A few hundred million in ads can save the day, provided he does not lay an egg in the next debate.
Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar
Pete wove his usual word spell. Amy had grit and wit. But the fight between the two, usually polite Midwesterners, was to the detriment of both. They are drawing from the same pool of voters. Their tiff could have a few voters swimming away.
Tom Steyer
Out of sight, out of mind. Failing to qualify, nullified the opportunity fo show 20 million viewers that he is the good billionaire.
I agree with your take on the debate, with the exception of Amy. When Pete went after her she had to strike back or she would have looked weak. A bad look for a guy in the race, but somehow unacceptable for a woman.
ReplyDeleteNow, what's your take on the Russians meddling for Bernie? Just to mess with us or to actually give him a boost so that he has to face off with Trump, and likely lose?
Ball's in your court, Larry.
Bernie is almost certain to lose. The main reason is that he is not ready for prime time. He has never faced a tough election. He will be pounded as a socialist, placed on the defensive, with too little money to justify his positions. Healthcare is a winning issue for Democrats, but Medicare for all is not. He will be hit with his honeymoon in Russia and his statements about the Ayatollah. Finally his tone is all wrong. The independents we need to target long for calm, after Trumpian chaos. Bernie is a didactic screamer. Seeing him advance is like watching a train wreck in slow motion.
ReplyDelete