I have to say I’m impressed. Knowing she would go up against right wing moderator talking points and friendly fire on health care and immigration, warren chose to thread the needle and managed to fend off the attacks without ceding rhetorical ground. I don’t think she is against border security or going to cancel anyone’s health insurance but it is impressive how she embodied the fearlessness to not even deign to release the tension in the air by smoothing over the false dichotomies.
its not what I would’ve thought to do. Mayor Pete did what I’d have done and toed a very smooth and pitch perfect line clarifying his positions and protecting himself from right wing talking points. It’s impressive and he weaves in language that also sounds visionary at times and in another age that would be the ticket.
But warren played offense. And by not going into any kind of defensive crouch she stayed the story. She kept the dramatic tension in the air — not shooting herself in the foot but just trusting that she will ultimately when she’s ready make a pitch and win voters over on any issue.
and this showmanship feels like a real response in the age of Trump. It’s brave — damn brave. It takes the media’s game and puts her in the center of the show. It sets up the contrast that I’m now seeing might be exactly what our candidate will need to get media air time vs the greatest bloviator in history. Don’t respond to the bullshit media — lead them by the nose and make them respond to you.
So will it be Joe “try not to make news and stay on brand with older white voters” or warren “be the story and one up old man trump?”.
i sincerely find the choice interesting. In the end though I’ve seen enough campaigns to put my money on the candidate with the energy and message over someone who leads in the matchup polls on the basis of a brand he might not be able to maintain.
I respect those who choose the other side of that but just saying I was impressed tonight.
p.s. Yes Harris has some chops too and a path to win to boot. We’re spoiled for choices. But I’d like to dream big if I at all can.