So, tonight’s highly anticipated first round of the second set of Democratic presidential debates is over and now subject to punditry and analysis. Since so much of it is ongoing and repetitive, I’ll keep mine oversimplified. Everyone had a healthcare plan and comments on immigration. Tonight, as expected, Sen. Warren (MA) performed well and gave the crowd tons of plans. One moment, however, stood out above all others and generated a laugh-track-like response.
Listen, folks, all talking points aside, Sen. Warren stood out. She didn’t win, though. She has enough donors, supporters, and volunteers to remain. She will appear prescient and omnipresent with a plan for everything. She was her usual professorial, witty, and respectable self but with more zeal. She scored points on being the best prepared. The incumbent is ferocious and needs no plans to earn a second term. He will use every vile and unfair mechanism to defeat his opponent and she has inherent self-inflicted vulnerabilities. America needs something and someone else.
Top of the Twitter trending and Google search list tonight is outsider and longshot, established intellectual, activist, and author Maryanne Williamson, a Michigan native. She’s managed to create her own lane by giving bursts of emotional intelligence and avoiding the typically dull statistical arguments and promises that may (likely won’t) be fulfilled. She eloquently addressed the need to place adequate emphasis on righting the nation’s original sin — a popular theme in this election cycle and the impetus for legislation by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX). She brings a different energy than any other candidate and speaks in a holistic language, one which includes healthy mentions of “love” in a time where we’ve had our fill of hate. While earning a modest share of the night’s polling, she apparently left many Americans curious and perhaps wanting more. We shall see.
Bernie “wrote the damn bill.” He was Bernie and we felt the “Bern” tonight. Unlike the first session, he looked and sounded razor-sharp, on point, and battle-ready. Arms flailing, he cycled through each of his initiatives, many of which will not pass muster as stated, and stated his case with clarity as to why he is the best choice. His comments didn’t always hit the mark in answering the question asked, but he maintained his consistency. His advantage against the Trump machine is that he can dish it out just as much as he can take it. His trip to Canada underscored his commitment to medical reform.
The remaining field of candidates looked punch-drunk and spoke in circles, often appearing to not have a full grasp of the issues in their answers to the questions asked. We were treated to everything from a reluctance to commit to embracing a green energy future to mildly energetic responses that left the audience awkwardly silent.
HONORABLE MENTION
Beto — one eloquent moment, not enough.
Buttigieg — articulate, but threw only jabs without a knockout blow.
Klobuchar — were the lights too bright?
Was anyone else there?
We must remain hopeful that tomorrow night’s cross-section is more robust than tonight’s. The objective is to put forth a substantive proposal and make the case for unseating the incumbent. It may take Democrats going outside their typical political comfort zones and entering the viscera to do that because the alternative is another four years of racism, hate crimes, higher taxes, and ineptitude in key positions.
Research your candidate-of-choice, register as many voters as possible, and keep progressing!
Carpe diem & Semper Fortis.