How ’bout those Cubbies!
No, really, it was more interesting than I thought it would be. My overall impressions were as follows:
- It is far easier to have a meaningful discussion on the issues with five people on stage than with ten.
- None of the candidates was a complete embarrassment.
- Sanders has a clear and consistent message that is based completely on his assumption that he can mobilize millions of new voters to overthrow the political establishment. Unfortunately for him, he can’t, so the entire rationale for his campaign is a mirage.
- The vapidity of Republican positions is simply taken for granted in this kind of a forum, which means that the most ideologically pure candidate has a significant advantage over a pragmatist.
- I want to hear Sanders debate Jeb Bush on “free stuff.”
Winners, Losers, and Also-Rans:
Winner: Hillary Clinton: Was, as expected, fully conversant with the facts and the issues. Sounded presidential without being stiff. Has an amazing ability to change the subject seamlessly when confronted with an issue that doesn’t favor her.
Losers: Jim Webb and Lincoln Chafee: Webb looked for all the world like a man who didn’t want to be there. Chafee just sounds like a weenie.
Also-Ran: Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley: O’Malley had an extremely wooden opening, although he improved as the night went on. He needed a big performance, given his poll numbers, but he didn’t get it. Sanders looks authentic, has a clear message, and had a good moment with Hillary’s e-mail, but he didn’t press his advantage when she changed the subject on the banks. His responses on guns, which probably cost him support in the audience, were actually reasonable and pragmatic.
The bottom line is that Hillary reassured her supporters, Sanders neither gained nor lost ground, and the others don’t matter.