The Democratic Presidential Candidates Have Now Been Heard

Mark your calendars. The first night of the debates for the 2020 Democratic Presidential candidates was a bad night for white men. Former Maryland Congressman John Delaney’s closing statement highlighted how the country works for people like him. He was right the country DOES work for white men, but that’s about it. He also referred to his grandparents as immigrants, but when he talked about those crossing the southern border he called them “these people.” Well, I say to him those people, too, are immigrants.

Washington State Governor Jay Inslee pointed to climate change as his main priority. Try telling black and brown people that they need a Prius when they can’t even get a job. Former Texas Congressman Beto O’Rouke? Well, he is simply a conservative, and that’s all I have to say about it. Congressman Tim Ryan called for everyone to “work together.” But, he is still using the code word “middle America” like we don’t know he is talking about white people. And, I heard him say working families, but addressing the working families does little for those who aren’t working and live in poverty.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard continues to talk about the beginning of this country and how great those “Americans were.” I say to her, “Tell my dad’s great grandfather who was born a slave.” And, Senator Amy Klobuchar talked about how she has won in places where President Donald Trump won. That’s easy to do when you’re a centrist.

Elizabeth Warren is my dream candidate, and Julian Castro along with Cory Booker and Bill DeBlasio, recognized as a great campaigner, stepped out from the shadows.

Second Night of the Democratic Debate

Quick question: are all white men from Vermont angry? Bernie Sanders. Howard Dean when he ran for President in 2004. Bernie showed up the second night of the debate with a strong progressive platform and as the change candidate. Unfortunately for the longtime Senator, nothing about a baby boomer white man says change.

Kamala Harris’s black momma moment when the candidates started bickering is already on conversational repeat. The California Senator said, “America does not want to see a food fight. They want to know how we’re going to put food on their table.” Fortunately for her, it was indicative of her night. She showed up ready and delivered on her platform, and I felt she had the strongest showing of why she should be president, and she took on Joe Biden in a way that seemed presidential and an illustration of how she would prosecute Trump’s candidacy.

Marianne Williamson seemed like she may be out of her league on stage with folk who have spent their careers debating. Also, at times it seemed like she was auditioning for the role or Rose on the ‘Golden Girls’ remake (SNL will have their day with her). She did, however, hit on my point about our foreign policies creating problems in countries south of us.

Andrew Yang disappeared and disappointed tonight. For a tech guy who’s so smart, he basically was absent in the first half of the debate, and when he did speak, it was on point but seemed dreamy.

Pete Buttigieg was his regular weaselly self, getting in his talking points in a way that resonates with “Middle America.” I swear he is so sneaky. He did take a potshot at Democrats trying to earn points with evangelicals. His answers, each one, was longer than necessary and showed a lack of care for structure and acquaintance with substance. He was also “out young-ed” by Congressman Eric Swalwell.

John Hickenlooper was lukewarm all night. His description of the child separation policy involving migrant children as “kidnapping” was well placed, but it was blocked by his stammering. He claimed that Colorado was the first state to legalize marijuana and that’s true and may be worth touting unless you are the black or brown youth who suffers higher incarceration rates since the law was enacted.

Senator Kristin Gillibrand is a fraud. Her claim that she opposed trump more than any other senator brought into question everything, especially her history as a blue dog Democrat, that she has done this Congress as a ploy just to say it on the campaign trail.

Former Vice-President Joe Biden’s platform is clear after tonight’s debate: say Obama as much as possible and then say, “I did _____________ (insert topic).

Eric Swalwell’s performance was lackluster except for his pitch to buy back guns and be the voice of young voters and for young voters who are now a majority of voters.

Senator Michael Bennett was forgettable. He seemed to think that progressive policies are an albatross, and in turn, it’s keeping him out of step.

Overall, tonight was less impressive than last night, but it was a plus for Kamala and didn’t do enough to hurt Biden’s frontrunner status.