Democratic Debate 2015

[homoe]

I'm not watching it live but I've tapped it and will scan the highlights later on!

[MsTinkerbelly]

It's on right now!

The candidates are introducing themselves, and I am hoping for a great debate.

[MsTinkerbelly]

Wow, I was impressed with this debate!

Instead of people calling each other names, there was substance!

[Allison W]

The debate was excellent: it was the very antithesis of the Republican debates, and everything that O'Malley had to say about it in his closing statement was spot-on. Clinton, Sanders, and O'Malley all did very well, though I get the suspicion that Webb and Chafee won't be on stage next debate.

I'm a Sanders supporter for the primary, though I'll happily vote for whoever wins the Democratic nomination come next November. I'm not upset that Sanders refused to press the advantage on Clinton's e-mails: it showed integrity and kept the debate one of substance rather than scandal, and that was a better decision than trying to make a desperate short-term grab for poll numbers that would have been against the very point of his campaign. I do wish he'd been a little more succinct on some things, though. Like when he was asked about when he'd use force, he could have been much more on the ball about pointing to his record and saying that he votes for it when America or our allies are actively under attack, while rejecting discretionary and pre-emptive wars. He also could stand to do a better job of articulating why he's electable in the general election (because he is), but there will be future opportunities for that.

I will say, though. The person who kicked ass the hardest at this debate was far and away Cooper. None of those candidates are going to be able to sit down for like a week.

[Andrea]

There were some interesting exchanges but I felt Webb was completely irritating and Chaffee was blah.

My honey suggested Webb looked like he was constipated. I had to pause the tv while I laughed.

Bernie should not refer to himself in the third person but he has an awesome, consistent message.

Hillary can debate and has deep knowledge but she has changed her mind on many issues Bernie has held strong on. She and I also disagree with other issues. I don't feel she is as in touch with her middle class upbringing as she would like us to believe. Her platform leans far to the white upper class.

My .02

[TruTexan]

I actually thought the 1st debate went pretty well. I'm glad there was no name calling, bashing or anything to do with email scandal. This debate seemed lively and interesting that at least 3 candidates, Sanders,Hillary, and O'Malley, were complimenting each other but also disagreeing on things in an ADULT manner.
I agree that Sanders could have spoken more to the issues he was asked on, and I'm hoping he will be more articulate next debate. Hillary knows how to debate, she's a lawyer, and very articulate. I just don't agree with Hillary on the issue of a no fly zone, and as O'malley stated, it puts the US in a situation that an incident could bring us into the war AGAIN over there. I don't want troops in the air or on the ground. I don't want our troops fighting a war that isn't OURS to fight. BUT, if things get so bad over there that Israel is needing our help and asked us to step in because they were being targeted, that's something different, they are OUR STRONGEST ALLY and always will be.
I didn't like it that Bernie didn't take a stand on the issue of When he would take us to war. I hope he will make his stand known at some point. I am a Bernie Supporter but If Hillary wins the Primary, I"m a democrat no matter what and I'll vote for her. She's my 2nd choice.

As far as Chaffee and Webb, I wasn't interested after they answered the first few questions which bored me with their answers and Chaffee was just uhm, out of it totally. I don't think either of them will be in the next debate either. I'd be surprised if they were.

So, what does anyone else think of the debate

[Allison W]

Originally Posted by TruTexan

I didn't like it that Bernie didn't take a stand on the issue of When he would take us to war. I hope he will make his stand known at some point.

He did, just not very clearly, and after going on about stuff that wasn't the question. He voted for the Afghan war, that I recall, while voting against the Iraq war. So going by his record, his general policy seems to be that military force is to be used only when we or our allies are under direct attack. No discretionary wars, especially if they're going to drag us into an endless quagmire like Syria would (along with potentially starting WWIII, and all that).

[TruTexan]

Originally Posted by Allison W

He did, just not very clearly, and after going on about stuff that wasn't the question. He voted for the Afghan war, that I recall, while voting against the Iraq war. So going by his record, his general policy seems to be that military force is to be used only when we or our allies are under direct attack. No discretionary wars, especially if they're going to drag us into an endless quagmire like Syria would (along with potentially starting WWIII, and all that).

Thank you, I think I missed that in his statement. I'm not always able to catch everything someone says when they go on and on about something. My mind won't let me since I have ptsd, it just keeps me from focusing enough to catch it all. I appreciate your post. Now I know where he stands.

PS According to a LIVE CNN POLL ON FACEBOOK, Bernie Sanders Wins the 1st Debate with over 80% Here's the LINKYLOO