I stayed up to watch the debate last night. It was hard fought between the only two candidates in either party worth our votes. Most of the ground had been covered in the MSNBC debate. If you you missed it, I have the video and transcript for you. In general, both candidates performed well. I think it was too close to call, but I did have one observation that may prove interestying.
Let’s dispel once and for all the notion that Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders don’t know what they’re doing—they know exactly what they’re doing, and on Thursday night in Milwaukee, at the second Democratic presidential debate since the field narrowed to two candidates, they sparred over the issues that will define their contest going forward, without moving the needle in any obvious direction. The two-hour debate, moderated by Judy Woodruff and Gwen Ifill of PBS, put the candidates on the spot on issues of race and gender, while returning again and again to the themes that dominated their earlier meetings: Wall Street, Medicare, and the Middle East.
Both candidates made an effort to shore up earlier weak spots. Sanders had a ready response on charges he’d stood in the way of immigration reform; Clinton continued to insulate herself from accusations that she was a pawn of corporate interests, and used her relationship with President Barack Obama as the rough equivalent of a character reference in a job interview. Whatever the consequences, Clinton and Sanders will be stuck with them for a while. The next scheduled debate isn’t until March 6—five days after Super Tuesday… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <Mother Jones>
You can watch the complete video, or click here for the PBS debate transcript.
I did catch one difference between the two. Hillary seemed to have the upper hand on tactical matters, a specific plan for a specific problem. But Bernie seems to excel on strategic matters, an overview of what we need to do on issues. I prefer the latter, with the caveat that Bernie will need to surround himself with tacticians who share and be faithful to his world view. Obama is also a strategic thinker, but some of his tacticians were “business as usual” and too quick to cave in to Republican intransigence.
15 Responses to “The Milwaukee Debate”
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I watched and we mostly agree with me seeing a different element on your tactical vs. strategic that is vital for desired results…The one new image I had tonight is that on foreign policy Clinton may not see the forest for the trees–so focused on specific details that she misses how the whole fits together and what the context is, including history, that Bernie may have a better ability and grasp of than she does. Most people can lose track of seeing the whole when working on some specifics and her failure with young women and the importance of economics to them may also be due to lacking that capacity. I think Obama has it as does Bernie.
i think you agree but with different vocabulary. Both choices of vocabulary are valuable as they allow people to "see around" a thought better. The best teachers are the ones who are able to restate principles in different vocabulary when they can see a student isn't getting it with their preferred one.
I think you're right. "cant see the foresr for the trees" descrobes one so focu8sed on the tactiocam that they overlook the strategic.
I agree for the most part. I much prefer Bernie on almost everything. Hillary is smart & maybe too focussed on certain areas & it may be to sway specific "interests" (I hope not, but I am cynical)..I told somebody on facebook that Hillary may be trying a hostile takeover of the Republican party, and I'm beginning to wonder if I didn't stumble onto something..;)
Yvonne, your idea, if executed, could not help but drastically improve the Republican Party.
PS In addition to the Superdelegate position we all signed the other day, Robert Reich now has one of his own.
http://act.democracyforamerica.com/sign/RobertReichSuperdelegates/
Also Jim Gilmore just dropped out.
I signed this one, too.
Thanks JD. Signed. I so agree that voterts should be determining the nominee.
Thanks for the link, Joanne. I'd sign it on the spot if I were American.
Signed!
Jim who?
Each of them made good points, but Hillary seems defensive.
Although I could not watch it all, I still think that Clinton is feeling the Bern nipping at her heels, and that has her very uncomfortable.
I think you're spot on with your observation, TomCat. And I also think that America is in need of a great restructuring of both its economy, politics and jurisdiction which demands an overview and strategic thinking, so Bernie would be best equiped for the job.
Psychological research has found that men are betterat strategic thinking and women are better in planning and practical solutions and in any well functioning team you need both to get the best results, so Bernie would do himself a favour with a few advisors of Hillary's calibre, who can withstand the GOP's intransigence and come up with solid plans how to repair what is now broken.
Very well said!
Thanks all! Hugs!!