Democratic Party Primary Debate Night!
posted by The Blue Devil @ 7:49 PM
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
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66 Comments:
Good evening, Bob. I will be around to join you. I'm interested to hear from each candidate.
Evening, David - it'll be great to have you on board tonight. Enjoy your dinner, mate.
We're down to six candidates for tonight's debate. Only six candidates qualified: the former vice-president Joe Biden, Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren, South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg, Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar and billionaire activist Tom Steyer.
The pre-debate buzz has all been about the nasty spat between the campaigns of Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Warren's campaign released a statement reported by CNN yesterday that, in a December 2018 conversation, Sanders said that he didn't think that a female candidate was electable. Sanders has denied having said it but Warren confirmed that she heard it. That is likely to be the starting point of the debate tonight but I hope it won't dominate proceedings.
Another question certain to come up tonight will be what America’s future in the Middle East looks like, as tensions between Washington and Tehran escalate.
The latest Iowa polling numbers from the Des Moines Register as the candidates gather in the tunnel:
Sanders: 20% (+5)
Warren: 17% (+1)
Buttigieg: 16% (-9)
Biden: 15% (-)
Klobuchar: 6% (-)
Yang: 5% (+2)
Booker: 3% (-)
Steyer: 2% (-1)
Gabbard: 2% (-1)
Bloomberg: 1% (-1)
Not sure: 11% (+6)
The candidates have taken to the stage and we're nearly set to go now.
The Wolfman is introducing the debate proceedings now.
First question is about Iran. Sanders up first to nail down his anti-war bona fides.
Wolf puts Biden on the defensive with a question about his Iraq War vote.
I missed Sanders, but we need a Commander in Chief who will avoid needless wars.
Amy Klobuchar is teed up now to have a go at Pete Buttigieg.
Welcome back, mate. Indeed we do. That's a key issue for me.
Buttigieg seems to make a generational argument on every issue.
The Wolfman now pressing Sanders on the idea of removing troops from the Middle East.
I thought Klobuchar seemed knowledgeable and gave an intelligent response
Biden now stressing his experience as Vice President and the contacts that he has around the world - that's his strong suit.
I reckon that Klobuchar could be a decent shout for a VP slot if Bidne wins the nomination.
There is a pretty sharp line on the stage between those who would pull out troops yesterday (Sanders and Warren) and those who would leave them in (Biden and Klobuchar).
Buttigieg pitches in on the side that wants to keep some troops in the Middle East. He's trying to hide that by talking about his military experience again.
Due to Trump's policy to send a ridiculous number of troops to the Middle East, we would not be able to pull out alkali the troops immediately. That would have to happen over a period of years thanks to Trump. We would have to pull out the troops gradually , leaving some until things improve in the region.
I agree with you that Klobuchar would be a good shout for VP if Biden is nominated , which is looking increasingly likely,.
The candidates are all agreed on the issue of a President having to go to Congress for approval to begin hostilities.
Steyer has a disconcerting habit of starting his responses by facing the questioner Blitzer and then pivoting to talk directly into the camera. I think he's stalking me with his steely gaze.
Interesting that Steyer was able to change the conversation from troops in the Middle East to climate change . In both respects a coalition with our allies is necessary.
Buttigieg gets a good point in about the Iran nuclear deal that Trump scuppered. He's definitely trying to connect himself to the Obama legacy.
I noticed that too. It looked like an episode of the Twilight Zone
At first I thought Steyer's tartan tie was a quirky choice at the first debate. It now seems that he considers it his trademark.
Biden now having a go at Trump on his North Korea policy.
I agree with alll of them that Trump's North Korea policy is ridiculous and cannot meet with Kim without conditions. Agreed that it has to be in conjunction with our allies
Now on to trade. Sanders appears to be the only candidate who is opposed to the USMCA trade agreement. Even Warren supports it.
This has been a fairly civil beginning to the debate after a lot of pre-debate hype about the candidates going to war with each other.
Buttigieg's answer is contradictory. He starts by saying that he supports the USMCA but then talks about how trade agreements have hurt the economy.
Sanders very strong now about the negative impact of NAFTA. He's going it alone on this issue tonight.
Okay, Steyer is also against the USMCA, joining Sanders. He's now scolding Buttigieg for not addressing climate change.
A bit more feisty regarding trade agreements. Sanders definitely blaming large corporations. I don't mind the trade agreements aSs long as they're not designed to benefit large corporations at the expense of jobs
I need to pick Elizabeth from the bus station. Will be back in about twenty minutes
Now then - we're getting to the issue that has dominated the most recent press cycle. Sanders is denying the statement that Warren says that he said. Warren is standing by her guns. Who's right? Dunno, honestly.
Warren now getting snitty with Sanders about a picky issue related to beating Repubs. She's not looking good here.
This has devolved into a silly discussion. The sooner we get off this topic, the better.
We're back after a potty break now. On to the issue of healthcare, the topic that has dominated most of the debates before now.
Again - on the issue of health care, Sanders and Warren are out on their own supporting the Sanders Medicare for All plan.
Back to join you for the remainder of the debate. Agree with Klubuchar that it's best to build on the ACA.
Welcome back, mate.
I'm a Medicare for All supporter. Would love to have what Canadians and the British have.
Cheers, Bob. I'm listening to both perspectives.
It's a good conversation, for sure. This has been a better debate that I'd imagined. I thought it might devolve into petty squabbles but it's been really thoughtful.
I agree with Sanders that it's ridiculous that we're paying ten times more than any other country for health care and prescriptions. The pharma companies are greedy and corrupt
Agreed. It's nice to listen to an intelligent debate for a change
Warren now speaking powerfully to the need for universal childcare and pre-K.
Those childcare expenses are a massive part of one's income unless the parents are at the poverty level.
I like how Bernie talked about changing priorities. More money for schools, less money for war, eh?
That's an excellent idea. Wish more people would have their priorities in order.
We're back from a break and on to the issue of the Senate trial.
A nice juicy one. The Articles of impeachment.
Biden coming out strong on the issue
One interesting element here is that three on the stage - Klobuchar, Sanders and Warren - will have to take time away from the campaign trail to participate in the Senate trial.
It's the political version of the FIFA World Club Championship.
Every candidate will feel the same on this issue
Steyer has the advantage here that he's the one who's been calling for impeachment longer than any of the others.
LOL! Nice analogy. Will this have a negative affect on Klubahcar , Sanders , and Warren's chances
Trump scored a hat-trick of OGs in the World Club Championship
One would have to think so. It's got to be advantage Biden who can continue his engagements while those three are involved in what could be a protracted Senate trial.
Klobuchar being pressed on the issue of banning fracking now.
That's a tough one. It gives the perception that she's not environmentally green even though she probably is.
I'm calling it a night, mate. Thanks for joining me.
Good night . Great chatting with you.
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