BTRTN: Dem Debate #3... The Elusive God of Momentum Takes the Night Off

[reggieandlee]

Born To Run the Numbers provides its analysis of the third Democratic Debate:

http://www.borntorunthenumbers.com/2019/09/btrtn-dem-debate-3-elusive-god-of.html

Excerpts:
"With Elizabeth Warren finally on the same stage with Joe Biden for the first time, people expected that the two would go toe-to-toe, eyeball-to-eyeball, dancing geek-to-geek, and that the 2020 narrative might be decisively shaped. By Friday, morning, would the charismatic, articulate, and folksy Warren finally displace Biden, if not immediately in polls, then most certainly in the liberal media tabloid romances pages that track the affections of the great god of Momentum? Ah, fickle god Momentum. If last night had been a prize fight, it would have been one of those brutal fifteen rounders that ends in a draw, blood everywhere, and no real change in the rankings. Much sound and fury, signifying nothing more than that this is going to be a long haul..."

"In truth, Elizabeth Warren missed her opportunity to capitalize on the momentum she brought into the debate. She receded into the background as other candidates seemed much more engaged, much more present, and even much more capable of connecting with the audience. All of Booker, Buttigieg, O’Rourke, and Klobuchar were in the game last night, fighting for every yard. Warren warmed up toward the end of the evening, but by then all but the most wonkish of policy nerds had begun channel surfing...

"I hesitate to provide a scorecard on this evening, because the bottom line is that very little in the polling will likely change as a result of last night. But here goes..."

[BeyondGeography]

1. Five months until Iowa when people are just tuning in is a really dumb time to throw haymakers

at Joe Biden if you’re in Warren’s position.

She did exactly what she needed to do last night. Light on details, long on feeling, philosophy and biography. Raise people’s comfort level and connect with them personally.

This is a campaign that knows what it’s doing.