Clinton had a great night, but Sanders winning the focus group is reminiscent of Obama in 07-08

[portlander23]

The Atlantic: Why Bernie Did Better Than the Pundits Thought

But don’t be surprised if it’s Bernie Sanders who benefits just as much as Clinton from his performance at the Democratic debate—and possible even more. For an insurgent like the Vermont senator, these initial contests are the first real chance to introduce himself to the country, and judging from the Democratic debate record of 15.3 million people who tuned in to CNN, there was a lot of interest in seeing Sanders take on Clinton.

So did members of that audience like what they saw? It seems so. While pundits declared Clinton the winner, television focus groups and initial online polls went decisively for Sanders. Those are admittedly a wholly non-scientific pair of metrics, but the results got the attention of former advisers to President Obama, who said they saw the same dynamic play out during the debates eight years ago.

Clinton had a great night, but Sanders winning the focus group and online polls, but losing the pundits is reminiscent of Obama in 07-08

— Dan Pfeiffer (@danpfeiffer) October 14, 2015

The highlight of the night for Clinton came courtesy of Sanders, who in one exasperated plea—“The American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn emails!”—served to absolve her of guilt in the eyes of the Democratic Party. But this wasn’t exactly the entirely selfless act of a kind rival. Sanders has made a concerted effort to distinguish himself from Clintonian politics, to rise above it by pledging that he won’t take corporate money or engage in personal attacks. And this moment afforded him an opportunity to show, in one small but concrete way, what he means by that.

Related:

Michael Moore: Sanders won the Dem debate

Bernie Sanders got more online buzz than any other candidate in Democratic debate

Bernie Sanders wins the search wars in EVERY U.S. state

The candidate breaking through in the Democratic debate? Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders Won the Debate, and Perhaps the Election, When He Defended Hillary Clinton

Bernie Sanders' night: Authenticity wins the Democratic debate

Bernie Sanders wins with Fusion focus group

Bernie Sanders Clearly Won The Debate -- On Twitter

CNN’s Facebook Poll Shows Sen. Sanders As The Winner Of A Majority Of Debate Issues

[randys1]

1. The way the MSM is overdoing their cheerleading for Hillary is working for BERNIE

Fortunately, now, all people can talk about is how fucked up the MSM for overtly taking sides.

This will change the atmosphere at the next debate.

[portlander23]

2. In all fairness

There's no "winning" a debate like this, there's mostly not imploding. Clinton did well. Bernie did well. There's definitely a disconnect between the pundits and the few responses we can actually measure. And while everything we can measure favors Bernie, they're not the most reliable measurements.

We need to see what the next batch of polling data tells us, and beyond that, who starts winning actual elections.

But the idea the pundits are pushing that Hillary "won" is just a collection of opinions.

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. Bernie is getting a LOT of support via social media.

I watched the debate (online) to see audience reaction to him, and it was pretty strong.

I am hoping for another election surprise like the one below, since the MSM is so discounting Bernie.

[WillyT]

4. HUGE K & R !!! - THANK YOU !!!

[JRLeft]

5. I mentioned this earlier and was virtually called a liar by a Hillary supporter.

[Hydra]

6. Modus Operendi for them

Consider it a badge of honor to be disliked by them for telling it like it is

[JRLeft]

7. History appears to be repeating itself.

[workinclasszero]

8. Too bad Bernie is no Barack Hussein Obama

or you might have something.