The Last Debate of the Year
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t’s less than a week before Christmas. You’re overwhelmed wrapping presents…and hoping that last package arrives at the door in time. You’re getting ready to host the big dinner…or packing to fight the mob at the airport or on the interstate. There’s no time to think about anything else.
So, who would hold a three-hour presidential debate in the middle of all this?
Right—the Democrats!
Assuming you didn’t watch it—or saw only highlights—that's a shame, because the smaller field made for fuller exploration of the issues--and rival positions.
Beyond that...here are three quick takeaways from last night’s spectacle:
(1) Sanders/Warren. There’s so much of these guy’s politics that I love. Not only that—their key points are unassailable. So, let me say this. I DO NOT think that Elizabeth Warren is wicked. I DO NOT think she is a witch. But last night, she reprised the classic role of The Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz right in front of a national audience. Sanders (indirectly) and Buttigieg (directly) threw water on her tired campaign slogans…and she melted before our eyes. She’s not ready for prime time. Her set of two minute mini-screeds is tired, and her declining poll numbers are not a mistake. The “far left” candidate is Bernie. His clear call for a two-state solution in the Middle East...and his take down of Bibi Netanyahu as a "racist" was inspired…courageous…and right-on-the-mark. If it comes down to a far-left against a centrist…put your leftist money on Bernie.
(2) Yang/Steyer. Wow. Impressive. Neither of these guys has a realistic path to the nomination. But each regularly spoke past his rivals, the moderators and even the audience in attendance...and directly to home TV viewers. And both proved, without doubt, they require a role in a Democratic administration. Maybe they stilll want the VP nod (see below), and I’m not sure exactly what Steyer would do, but he brings something different—and vital. At the same time, America clearly needs a Department of Technology—and Yang is the only person to run it. Facebook and AI are bigger threats than ISIS. The guy is brilliant in this sector. And couldn’t we use a dose of humor and self-effacement?
(3) Buttigieg/Klobuchar. The gloves came off. Both of them are convinced that Biden is going to win the nomination…and they’re aiming to cement their claim to be his centrist running mate. Thus, they gnawed at each other. But if Biden does prevail, there’s no reason to believe that he wants—and certainly does not need—a centrist companion. (Abrams as Veep and Harris as AG are great with me.) But the more I see Buttigieg, the more I’m convinced he could be the guy--probably the smartest and most composed debater on that stage.
If you did watch, you may have entirely different conclusions. But Warren’s numbers are falling for a reason. Biden is holding steady for a reason. And there is nothing that suggests Buttigieg’s surge in Iowa is an accident.
And remember—we’re less than a year to election day
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Now…get back to that wrapping!
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