Question of the Day #17: Democratic Debate

A few of my friends watched it and posted some thoughts on faceyspace. I watched for about 10 minutes or so. Debates, especially primaries, are so frustrating for me to watch because so many candidates ignore the question and talk about whatever they want. Or they talk over others. Or they meander off and miss the point entirely.

I watched the Republican debate for a little longer...maybe half an hour or so. Part of it was that I tuned in just in time to see Carly Fiorina mic drop Trump, and I wanted to see more of that. I actually sort of like her, attitude-wise, though I disagree with pretty much every one of her political stances.

I don't think I've ever paid attention to primary debates before this year. The last presidential primary was actually the first primary I'd ever voted in. I refused to declare a party before then, but there was a local issue on the ballot that I felt very strongly about. It kinda pissed me off that I had to declare Republican or Democrat to vote on a local, mostly-non-partisan thing. I haven't decided yet if I'll vote in the primaries this time around or not.

Er, but anyway, I agree that there wasn't as much talk about this one. From what I saw (and I'm kinda sad I missed Bernie's "no one cares about your emails!" line), everything went pretty much as expected, while the Republicans had some more wild cards, more facepalm-worthy moments, and more fireworks.

 

I watched it last night with 150 people at a bar (I don't get CNN at home anyways). I thought it was good, and other than Webb complaining about not being able to talk whenever he wanted to, it was interesting and focused on some of the real issues. I think they probably should have started an hour earlier, but just delayed it for the West Coast. Jill Stein (Green Party candidate) put out a statement about what her policies would be and what she wishes they would have talked about, which I agree with. They didn't get into the environmental protections and regulations very much, but much more than the GOP debate did. At least the Democrats are talking about a clean energy grid and international agreements.








Here is the video clip, that I'm sure will be played on every talk show this weekend.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrBXcKcviuc

 

Oh, thank you for posting that! The context was much different than I'd been led to believe, so that was nice to actually see it.

 

I watched both and the difference in the focus was striking to me.

Much of the focus in the Republican debate(s) was on discussing more aggressive foreign policies to fight terrorism, defunding Planned Parenthood, limiting immigration and "fair" tax reform. Vaccines even came up as an issue.

The Democrat debate focused more on issues of interest to me -- banking reform, income equality, college affordability, paid family leave/health care, diplomacy and foreign policy, climate change and gun control. The subject of race came up.

But I am biased.

 

I skimmed the transcripts of both debates.

I'm interested in foreign policy (end the GWOT), domestic surveillance reform (end the USA PATRIOT) and watching out for their asinine civil disarmament policies.

...

Almost all of my coworkers and friends are either conservative/republican or confused libertarians. The loudest group to be sure, but also the group that has actually done things with their lives outside of cubicles. I am drawn to those people.

 

My co-workers and others with whom I interact professionally represent a broader perspective and have actually done things with their lives as well.

I agree the republicans/libertarians are the loudest among them but hardly the most effective in successfully promoting their agenda.

 

Look at us not agreeing! Hah!

 

Thats what makes American great.

But I do wish those more strident voices would be less about "us vs them" and more about "we" and accepting that, in a divided country, compromise is not a dirty word or a sign of weakness.

Perhaps worthy of a separate discussion.

 

I didn't and haven't watched any of them or read anything. Nor have I paid attention to my friends that have/do/did. Until I pass The Exam That Shall Not Be Named, I don't have room for anything else

 

Here I am, a politician myself, and I watched neither debate. Meh.

 

I probably said this already, but your political writings here are notably thoughtful and non-polemical. Even when I disagree, I appreciate reading what you have to say.

 

I didn't watch it. I forgot that it was on but I did see the email clip, that's awesome

 

I cannot believe that ANYONE would vote for a deceitful, lying, obnoxious, candidate for PRESIDENT
In case you don't know who I mean, HOW MANY DECEITFUL, LYING, OBNOXIOUS candidates are there...