CNN put their thumb on the scales again and Warren paid for it

[MiniprotesterTodd]

In their second time hosting a Democratic Presidential debate, CNN prioritized creating conflict and then fanning the flames of what it started. Their strategy of repeated rebuttals led to repetition of GOP talking points in an attempt to get Warren to say that she’d have to raise taxes. She kept having to spit out the bait.

Why this tactic for CNN? Corporate ownership is afraid of Warren. She’s the most electable progressive and favoring centrists is the least threatening to corporate greed. Also, conflict is induced for ratings. No questions on climate, election theft through GOP dirty tricks like #Crosscheck and voter purging on a whim.

How could debates be orchestrated better for the voters? What are your thoughts on how everyone piled on to Warren? Do they hurt themselves when they do it, or diminish the party as a whole through creating new GOP talking points?

[sandensea]

1. They tried - but she held her own.

They all did, really.

[renate]

13. she's going to have to answer that question though

Obviously she doesn't want the clip of her saying taxes will go up, but this isn't going away.

So she should simply not say "Taxes will go up." Maybe "the check that middle-class families write to the IRS will be less than what they have paid in previous years for insurance premiums plus taxes." It's clunky and wordy (so, even less incentive to stick it in an attack ad) and it doesn't have that four-word sequence that everybody is clamoring for her to say.

[sandensea]

17. True. Many don't understand the concept of a higher tax IN LIEU OF of rip-off premiums

and other scam expenses, such as 8%+ student loan interest - when the rate should be prime (5%) or, with subsidies, even less if any at all.

That's her biggest weakness (and Bernie's): the fact that many of our fellow voters are brainwashed to react in a Pavlovian way against any tax increases.

Even if they only affect the rich (the real reason behind all the brainwashing), and even if they are in lieu of some rip-off or other.

We'll see what happens.

[qazplm135]

2. first of all, this question will be asked again and again

so better get used to it.

Second, how are you going to pay for it is a legitimate question. I don't care that it isn't asked of Republicans (it is actually they just duck the answer). We aren't republicans. And it's a massive change that will require details to convince and persuade Americans to back. There isn't a majority pining for it. There's a large minority for sure, but not a majority.

Third, this isn't rocket science. Bernie admits taxes will go up, so why is that such a hard thing to do? He's got the honest approach. Warren should adopt that and meld it with her excellent detail oriented planning to create a plan WITH details and then use that to persuade.

MFA isn't just going to happen because we elect Warren or Sanders. And enough people aren't going to vote for them with a just trust us you'll pay less level of detail either.

[emmaverybo]

18. Exactly. And "centrists" does not describe candidates who are liberals.

[TidalWave46]

4. Best debates I have ever seen were hosted by the League of Women Voters.

Maybe it's time to get back to it.

Not that I agree with your "rebuttals" part.

[highplainsdem]

5. Warren was wrong for not answering those questions, and she's realized it. Her campaign has said

she's examining other revenue options:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287312677


Asking a candidate how they're going to pay for an incredibly expensive policy they're proposing is NOT a RW talking point. Never has been.

[rainin]

6. I heard she spoke more than any of the candidates at 22 minutes.

Rules seem to be that candidates who are attacked get time to respond. This constant attacking of Warren seems to be backfiring if they want her to lose.

[LakeArenal]

16. It's all phoney-baloney.

Liz’s “problem” is she’s doing so well.
Once someone breaks open in a clear lane the stupid shit comes out. Parse every word. Dig crap out of the past that wasn’t important then but now makes waves. Make fun of her ancestry, make fun of her family.

So predictable. Don’t fall for dubious stuff.

ALL of our candidates are great. Fight for the one you like. Not against the ones you don’t.

Trump is the enemy.

[BlueMTexpat]

19. Good post!

Thanks!

[TheRealNorth]

7. CNN's debate format sucked

I turned if off after 30 mins.

[BeyondGeography]

8. And most every post-mortem plus 538's survey has her winning

the debate or at least listed among the winners. She handled herself very well and is sure to be armed for the next go-round. It was a good exercise for her.

[Mike Nelson]

9. They rightly saw her moving into the...

...lead. They "set up" ways for the candidates to "confront" each other. I think the media see this as part of their job, now... they don't want to have speeches and non-engagement. I thought the candidates did well. They have to be challenged... There was no Trump-Rubio comparison pf penis size, which is good. Let the Republicans discuss penis )or breast) size among their candidates.

[Hoyt]

10. The mean old media. Warren had to know that question was coming, and it will keep coming. Answer it.

[guillaumeb]

11. Contrary to the meme that the right has pushed for over 50 years,

the US media is corporate owned and controlled. The interests of the 1% always take priority.

[beachbumbob]

12. its is easy to offer free this and free that and its really difficult to explain how and who will

pay. Its not GOP talking points to inquire how giveaways will be paid for. No the problem is Warren been given a free pass in same light that Sanders was given in 2016. its uncomfortable to explain how programs will be funded when you need to avoid saying "raising" taxes

[MarcA]

14. The best way is to end these phony debate reality shows.

One way is for people to not watch and crash the media's ratings,
which is what this is really all about. Much better, while not perfect,
are town halls and forums; even interviews on late night talk shows are
more informative.

[Scotch-Irish]

15. Nobody has mentioned how HORRIBLE the sound system was for the debates.

CNN should be ashamed of themselves for all that background noise. I would have sworn that either a republican was running the sound system, or the russians hacked the damned thing. It sounded like someone was constantly rubbing their fingers over an open mike.

[abqtommy]

20. I refuse to read or watch any news content generated by any Us outlet. I'm just sorry that I'm

exposed to so much of it here at DU.