The field running for the democratic nomination has been culled, but it remains huge. Last night 12 hopefuls showed up on an Ohio stage and sort of debated each other. As we saw, even though at times their presentations bordered on the substantial, the affair still had the undeniable aura of a cheap jack reality TV series--kind of a political mish mash of, "Dancing With the Stars," and "Survivor."
Here is what we learned during what could well be considered a dead heat on a merry go round.
It immediately became obvious no one on the stage, except for perhaps Joe Biden himself, believed the former Vice President is still the front runner. That title has gone to Elizabeth Warren and many on the panel reacted to the shift with a barrage of assaults on the myriad of, "plans," the Senator from Massachusetts has proposed.
For the most part, Warren successfully parried the attacks with her well honed debating skills. However, to her detriment, she refused to admit what everyone in the republic knows--her medicare for all health care plan will increase taxes on not just the wealthiest, but also the middle class. Warren repeatedly dodged the questions by speaking in terms of, "lower total costs," to the middle class, which, in the end, might be true, but not when it comes to the bottom line on paychecks which says, "net pay."
Bernie Sanders certainly knows it. He was right up front saying there would have to be a tax increase for everyone in order to pay for his plan, which is nearly identical to Warren's. Sanders, who is fresh off a minor heart attack, seemed energized enough, not quite as angry, and in good spirits most of the night. It might not help. His numbers are shrinking and if he were, somehow, to win the nomination not only will his politics be savagely attacked, but so will his age and health. That's what happens when you are a democratic socialist and will be 79, going on 80, by the time the next inauguration rolls around.
Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg came on strong. Klobuchar especially appeared to look like a viable centrist alternative to Warren and Saunders. She sparred on equal terms with Warren and successfully articulated her own vision of what health care in this country should be. Buttigieg, as always the smartest kid in the room, came across more impassioned and aggressive. He engaged Tulsi Gabbard in a spirited exchange about what sort of U. S. military presence should be, or remain in the middle east and they both actually knew what they were talking about.
Mayor Pete also got into a tussle with Beto O'Rourke about the how to of buying back and banning military assault style weapons. A subject which up until a few months ago was, thanks to the NRA's political hegemony, unthinkable.
Tom Steyer, who was making his first debate appearance, seemed out of his element except when he was slamming Donald Trump for being everything from a two bit con man to a degenerate Putin wannabe. Let's face it though, we already know that. It's why we tuned in. When given a chance to explain his other positions the billionaire would go off into the wonderful world of mumbles, before invariably returning to his attacks on The Big Orange Guy.
Andrew Yang scored some points when he talked about the threat automation poses to low wage American workers. His riff on the subject actually justified, or at least explained his proposed $1,000 a month guaranteed wage to everyone more articulately than he has previously.
Julian Castro didn't shoot himself in the foot like he did in the 3rd debate, but he seemed even further on the periphery of the race. Senator Cory Booker increasingly looks like a man in search of cabinet position. His main message last night was basically, "Can't we all just get along?"
Then finally we come to Joe Biden, who is currently, along with his son, Hunter, the reason Don Trump might get impeached. The hope was he'd come out swinging. Instead he spent large amounts of time saying nothing at all as everyone focused on Warren. At least that is what it seemed like, although the stats show he actually got nearly 17 minutes of air time, second most of the entire panel.
Perhaps that is the scariest part of it for the Biden campaign. It wasn't the ever present gaffes, or the increasing number of moments when he seems to forget his train of thought. It was that it felt like he was barely even there and, worse, no longer relevant.
All of which brings us to the most pressing questions. One--has anyone truly separated themselves from the rest of the field? Second--does one of these candidates have what it takes to stand up to the avalanche of lies, conspiracies, and cruel school yard taunts which lurk right around the corner?
After the dust settled last night both issues are still in doubt.
10-16-19
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