Five takeaways from the Democratic debate
The Hill, Nov 21, 2019

Ten Democrats took the stage here Wednesday night with less than three months to go before the Iowa caucuses — and after a day of high political drama at the impeachment hearings back in Washington.

Here were the key takeaways:

Buttigieg benefits from a lack of game-changing moments

The debate had some fireworks, but nothing that seemed consequential or viral enough to change the trajectory of the race.

That is good news for South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who has been on the rise. The 37-year-old Buttigieg has led major polls in both Iowa and New Hampshire recently. That being so, many pundits expected his rivals to go after him in Atlanta.

Those attacks simply didn’t materialize in the crucial first half of the debate, when the only true challenge Buttigieg faced was a pointed question about his experience from Andrea Mitchell of NBC News, one of the four moderators. [...]

Biden stumbles yet again

Former Vice President Joe Biden has retained the position of front-runner in national polls despite shaky performances in debates.

He failed to impress again on Wednesday night. His first answer meandered and then, after seeming to find his composure for a while, he stumbled again in the debate’s second half.

Perhaps the most memorable Biden gaffe was his assertion that he had the support of the “only” elected black female senator.

Biden was referring to former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun (D-Ill.), but his phrasing drew understandable consternation from Harris, the child of Jamaican and Indian parents who was elected to the Senate in 2016.

“The other one is here,” she said. [...]

Harris shines, but is it too late?

Harris had her best debate performance since the first clashes in Miami in late June. She hit Trump in memorable terms for having got “punked” in his negotiations with North Korea and called him a “criminal living in the White House.”

She easily brushed aside a challenge from Gabbard, held her own in the race-related exchange with Buttigieg, and presented herself as the best person to recreate the “Obama coalition” that won Democrats the White House handily in 2008 and 2012.

The problem for Harris is that the momentum she enjoyed several months back, in the wake of the Miami debate, is a distant memory. She has drifted down badly in the polls and is no longer in the top rank of candidates occupied by Biden, Warren, Sanders and Buttigieg.


More: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/47...mocratic-debate

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The 37-year-old Buttigieg has led major polls in both Iowa and New Hampshire recently.

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This I do not understand.

From the article: "The great ideological divide in the primary is clear: will the Democratic Party choose a standard-bearer from the left, such as Warren or Sanders, or from the center, such as Biden or Buttigieg?"

I find this hilarious. The policies espoused by Biden and Buttigieg are anything but center or moderate.

I forgot all about the stupid debate after the lengthy day of the I-farce. Anyone head about viewership?

Buttigieg is an especially detestable candidate that uses the Bible to wipe his behind. The Bible says abortion is OK until the baby takes it's first breath? Words fail.

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The 37-year-old Buttigieg has led major polls in both Iowa and New Hampshire recently.

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This I do not understand.

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Why? Peter Theil spoke at the Republican nominating convention, in support of Trump.

I watched a long format interview, and he did not mention sexual preferane, ace, etc. Just saying.

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Quote: Right_in_Virginia wrote in post #2

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The 37-year-old Buttigieg has led major polls in both Iowa and New Hampshire recently.

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This I do not understand.

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Why? Peter Theil spoke at the Republican nominating convention, in support of Trump.

I watched a long format interview, and he did not mention sexual preferane, ace, etc. Just saying.

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Peter's not running for POTUS @truth_seeker

I do not understand Buttigeig's front runner status for a whole host of reasons: age, lack of experience in government or business, and, yes, his sexual orientation. I've assumed the majority of Americans have a "live and let live" attitude toward gays, so I'm surprised to learn a majority are ready for a gay man to be the CEO and CIC and chief representative of America around the globe.

So, I don't understand because I don't know what shift in paradigm has occurred, or when.