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NRaleighLiberal

(59,940 posts)
Fri Feb 12, 2016, 12:58 AM Feb 2016

Josh Marshall's pretty detailed analysis of the debate

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/a-clarifying-encounter

ByJOSH MARSHALLPublishedFEBRUARY 11, 2016, 11:40 PM EST

"I cannot help noting the quality of this debate itself - how it was organized, the moderators, the quality of the questions. It was a throwback, but a good one. I do not think it was an accident that this one was organized by PBS or that they managed to bring it to a punctual conclusion. After all, this wasn't a ratings or a ad sales driver for them.

On the candidates, I thought the debate began very well for Clinton and quite shaky for Sanders. He got a very basic question about the size of government, one he would certainly get in a general election and one which I do not think he should shy away from. But he wouldn't touch it. Clinton was as strong and specific as he was hesitating and resistant to addressing specifics.

As the debate went on though I thought it became more of an even match. I cannot help but say that it surprises me that Sanders is as quick on his feet as he's managed to get in these debates. That may sound a bit condescending. After all Sanders is in his seventies and he's been in politics for decades. But there's nothing quite like the intensity of big national presidential debates. I don't care how long you've been a politician or how many local or even state debates you've been in. There's nothing like it. And virtually no one is a natural.

Clinton has been in the national spotlight for going on three decades and this is arguably her third national campaign. Obviously she's only run for president once before. But it was one of the most debate-intensive presidential campaigns ever. And her first run for Senate was so high profile as almost to amount to a national campaign. She's had tons of practice. He hasn't."

snip

Pretty interesting analysis. I don't agree with him completely, but it seems like a pretty balanced analysis from a pundit who has consistently supported Hillary.
6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Josh Marshall's pretty detailed analysis of the debate (Original Post) NRaleighLiberal Feb 2016 OP
The big government question RobertEarl Feb 2016 #1
Well, he did hit it out of the park tonight! Peace Patriot Feb 2016 #3
You laid it out very well RobertEarl Feb 2016 #4
If Bernie does read DU. I wish he would use the term "public education" dixiegrrrrl Feb 2016 #6
Democrats May Not Like It But Is a Question the Majority of Americans Want Answered Stallion Feb 2016 #2
I wish I could get Bernie's ear for a moment. He just needs to tweak a few things. phleshdef Feb 2016 #5
 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
1. The big government question
Fri Feb 12, 2016, 01:12 AM
Feb 2016

That was an awful question. Bernie was taken aback. It was accusatory and laid out the tea-party premise of limiting government.

Everyone knows Bernie's plans includes more government. Even Hillary's plan includes more government. Duh! With more people and more problems, what else are we gonna do but ask more government for fixes? And as we take health care from private to public?

Bernie did touch on it as he went along, but that is a question that he can work on so when the republicans lob it at him he can hit it out of the park.

Peace Patriot

(24,010 posts)
3. Well, he did hit it out of the park tonight!
Fri Feb 12, 2016, 02:28 AM
Feb 2016

He said Republicans hate big government except when it comes to controlling women's bodies!

I thought that was absolutely brilliant. As a debater, he turned the issue of "first woman President" right off, gained big points with women AND blasted Republicans for their hypocrisy!

This didn't come in response to the "big government" question--and I agree he should have answered that better, at the time--but he did address it in an extremely clever way.

I'm not sure about Democrats answering Tea Party-type questions directly (and that was one). But Bernie is VERY GOOD at sticking to his points and policies in the face of tricky questions. He should have tackled it. For instance, 'do you like Social Security? Do you like Medicare? Do you like the country being defended? Would you like a topnotch interstate highway system? Big government is NECESSARY to programs for the "common good." And here, specifically, are how my programs will not only pay for themselves, with fair taxation, but will inject new life into our economy!'

Yup, I could write the answer. And certainly Bernie could (and has!). But I forgive him that lapse because of the many major points that he did score, and the Henry Kissinger point is top of my list.

 

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)
4. You laid it out very well
Fri Feb 12, 2016, 03:49 AM
Feb 2016

He did answer the why of what our government should do. And by gawd, the next time it comes up, and it will, hopefully they will have a read of what you wrote here.

I wonder...... do they read DU? I swear, some of the stuff Bernie talked about seemed like it came from DU.....

Don't get me wrong,,,, I have confidence in Bernie. And know that this is his first big rodeo and figure he is just going to improve and improve and improve.

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
6. If Bernie does read DU. I wish he would use the term "public education"
Fri Feb 12, 2016, 02:59 PM
Feb 2016

instead of "free education".
Been hearing of a lot of older voters that "free" term is bothering them, cause they know nothing is "free".

and when Clinton attacks him by saying he is going to dismantle Obamacare, I wish he would say "Universal care, like Medicare, will replace it, which is much cheaper"
He would have the support of a LOT of insured people that way.

Bernie, are ya listening????

Stallion

(6,473 posts)
2. Democrats May Not Like It But Is a Question the Majority of Americans Want Answered
Fri Feb 12, 2016, 01:44 AM
Feb 2016

although I don't agree with the premise. In many ways Democrats are failing to successfully respond to the premise

 

phleshdef

(11,936 posts)
5. I wish I could get Bernie's ear for a moment. He just needs to tweak a few things.
Fri Feb 12, 2016, 04:06 AM
Feb 2016

For example, when asked how big government should be, he should simply say that it should be as big as it needs to be to tackle the issues at hand. And considering how far behind we are on education and clean energy and healthcare costs and lifting people out of poverty and protecting the vulnerable (I'm sure I'm leaving some things out), then it needs to be however big it needs to be to take on those issues. Wherever the private sector is failing us, we need the public sector to fill in the gap. Bernie doesn't want the government to take ownership of all our natural resources or the manufacturing and distribution of smart phones, flat screen tvs, cars, food, real estate or any of the other various things that obviously can be left up to the capitalistic side of our economy. But its more efficient, cost effective and focused when we have nation-wide standards when it comes to the cost and management of the things that are essential to a decent quality of life in this day and age.

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