First off, I've grown weary of these debates. Too many candidates answering more/less the same questions each time. Instead of the field narrowing, it grew this time around. And there are eight more debates to go? Ugh.
My take on last night:
Biden: Seems to now know that saying less is more, meaning avoid "senior moments" or gaffes. He remains near the top of most polls, better to just ride it out and let others fail and drop out. This strategy won't work for much longer. At some point, he'll need to give lengthy answers, often, and it will sink him.
Warren: She did fine. Compared to prior debates, she has quickly become the focus of attacks, with her rapid rise in the polls. Others will say it's counter-productive to see Dems attacking each other, but I disagree. Whoever does become the eventual nominee better be able to handle a barrage of attacks because that's what Trump does. Better to have Warren sharpen her chops versus other Democrats than to have her cakewalk. And frankly some of her answers could be better. It drives me crazy that she can't better explain her health care position, that yes taxes will go up, but after factoring in the health care savings, people will net net be ahead, i.e. the total savings surpass the tax increase. Bernie has been better at explaining this and he actually had his best answer to this last night.
Sanders: Everyone wanted to see how he looked post-heart problem, and he actually looked better imo than pre-heart issue. As people say, Bernie will do Bernie, and that's what he did. Although as I wrote above, some of his answers have become even better, more concise and clear. The problem for Bernie is he has his diehard core base, but can he expand it? He would be able to if Warren drops out, but that won't happen anytime soon. So he needs to try and convert Warren supporters into Bernie-bots, but how will that happen? They're already with Warren, and not him, for a reason(s).
Harris: She seemed noticeably at ease, esp. for someone who really needs to shake things up and make a move. But instead she seems resigned to the fact that she's likely Cabinet material. It's almost like she KNOWS she will be the future AG and she's good with that. In the meantime, she'll have fun and speak her mind.
Buttigieg: He seemed like he drank a few cups of high-octane coffee before the debate. He was very "on" and for him, fired-up. It was refreshing to see. And he didn't just keep to himself, answering questions as if on an island, and instead actively sparred with others. I think he's actively positioning himself for VP, knowing that role usually requires more of an attack-dog approach and demeanor. In my opinion, for someone like Warren, I think it comes down to Buttigieg or Castro as VP (she'll avoid dual female ticket, and she won't pick Bernie to avoid inevitable uber-socialist smear (and Bernie wouldn't accept VP role anyway)).
Klobuchar: Many are writing she did very well. I don't know about that. I thought she came across as desperate at times, even seemingly near tears, as if realizing her chances of winning are coming to a close. She obviously was in attack mode, specifically directed at Warren. Try as she might, she's not going to rise much further in the polls, if at all.
Gabbard: I have no idea why she was on the stage. As if she was a Republican plant or operative. Fortunately it will soon be "Tulsi who?"
Rest of the field: Meh. Booker, Castro, Yang, Steyer, Beto -- why bother commenting, they soon won't be on the stage. Hopefully they all do what they can to support the eventual nominee and defeat Trump.
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