Best and worst moments for all

[eridani]

Sanders
Best: clearly stating at the end that ongoing popular involvement is the key to changing anything.
Worse: other than mentioning NRA D- grade, talked around the gun questions too much.

O’Malley
Best: clear statement of 100% renewables goal by 2050
Worst: wobbly about policing policy during his years as mayor

Clinton
Best: clearly stating the case for the email issue being basically a political attack
Worst: putting Iran on her enemies list at the end.

Chaffee
Best: clear statement of why his positions have stayed the same in spite of being a Republican, an Independent and a Democrat
Worst: nothing actually stood out here for me

Webb
Best: clear statement about being in front of the rest of the field in bringing up the issue of excess incarceration in America.
Worst: all over the map on energy policy.

[Babel_17]

1. If judging only by a transcript, Chaffee had a good night

O'Malley was intermittently off his stride. Clinton was polished, but at this point in her career that's got some negative connotation as well as good.

Let Webb be Webb. I think we all respect his intelligence and commitment.

Sanders has now be tested under fire, at the highest level. No Republican is of the caliber of those on the podium tonight, so now we've seen that Sanders can take it all the way home for us.

[delrem]

2. Chafee alternated between being OK on-script with "leftist" concerns

and being somewhat of a buffoon.
Sorreeee...
Web was singleminded in presenting himself as a military sergeant, on parade grounds, pounding recruits into submission. I mean wtf? Why did the D's accept him after the R's chucked him out? If I want a military commander who'll for certain lead the world into multiple wars, I'll choose Hillary Clinton any day.
Hillary didn't portray herself like that. She portrayed herself as a progressive, and she laughed off the past. It didn't happen, folks.

I'll give net positive marks to O'Malley and Sanders. Neither were boneheaded. Neither had to laugh off a past.

But I think both have to pick up their game.

[Babel_17]

3. Webb might be running to get his concerns voiced

And he could be auditioning for a government post. And of course there's think tanks and others who pay well for a person of his experience and credentials.

I guess Chaffee figured politics is like a gunfight and maybe he'd be the last electable person standing?

O'Malley has a tough row to hoe as he needs either Sanders or Clinton to have serious campaigning issues if he's going to get the traction he's been in need of. He looked a bit wary of taking Clinton on and if he hopes to eventually rise it's unlikely he'll do so by pissing off Sanders supporters.

After tonight he's left with the Chaffee strategy. Plus he might soon be one of only three on the podium, so how can he ignore the possibilities that presents?