There’s a Democratic presidential debate tonight in Brooklyn, and candidates are ready to go toe-to-toe in what could be the most important confrontation remaining in the contest on either side. It’s Bernie’s hometown. It’s Hillary’s campaign headquarters. Will they spend their time digging into each other’s past, or lay out plans for the future? Does either of them have a surprise in store? Will they demonstrate the proper way to fold pizza?
The two campaigns are clearly taking very different directions at the moment, with Hillary Clinton projecting calm and focusing all her attention on potential Republican rivals in the fall, while Bernie Sanders’ campaign is all high energy and sharp elbows with its aim fixed on Clinton and establishment politics in general. One of these strategies is proving to be highly effective and it’s … who the hell knows?
Right now, Hillary Clinton is ahead in the polls, with a double digit advantage pretty much across the board. However, Sanders has picked up a couple of notable endorsements in the last few days and certainly has an impression of momentum. His campaign is turning up the heat, taking more chances, and it’s almost as if they realize that this is a make or break moment. If Hillary wins New York going away, Sanders’ winter/spring of discontent could turn into Hillary’s glorious summer of contentedly raking in delegates. If Sanders forces a squeaker, or somehow gains an upset, things will be boiling all the way to Philadelphia.
So—tonight. It’s a thing.
The debate will be live on CNN starting at 9PM ET (that’s 8PM for hard-working Central time zone folks and a couple of hours before high tide for West Coast surfers). It will stream live at cnn.com and will also be featured on CNN en Español and Sirius XM channel 116.
But of course, the best place to watch the debate will be right here. We’ll be covering it real time, with nothing but thoughtful comments and dispassionate analysis. As always.