No one shows up to Joe Biden debate parties

[Bradshaw3]

From the Philadelphia Inquirer, in Biden's home state of Pennsylvania:
https://www.inquirer.com/news/joe-biden-enthusiasm-philadelphia-sad-watch-parties-elizabeth-warren-grassroots-fundraising-20191020.html


"The two men watched in silence and both left before the three-hour debate ended. A reporter turned off the TV on her way out. Bradford’s was one of three watch parties within a 20-mile radius of Center City registered with the campaign. None drew more than seven people."

“What surprises me is, Philly, you’d expect it to be Bidentown,” she said. “It really hasn’t felt like that.”

Enthusiasm matters when it comes to winning elections, whether some like to admit it or not.

[Scurrilous]

1. There's no party like a debate party!

[Kahuna7]

33. Surely. nt

[Bradshaw3]

38. True for Biden parties as the article showed

The other candidates had more people - and more fun!!

[Blue_true]

48. Are you serious?

Lots of beer and even soapboxes, if you can stand for long.

Gee, I live my life for the chance to attend debate parties.

[crazytown]

53. Warren watch party

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. I don't understand the attraction of debate parties at all,

no matter who your favorite candidate is. The debates aren't real debates and they don't give the candidates a reasonable chance to explain anything; they're just fluff for the networks. I'd rather stay home and watch Netflix with my cats than go to a debate party. Maybe the apparent lack of enthusiasm has more to do with the dumb debate format and the fact that there are too many debates and too many candidates.

[Dennis Donovan]

3. 30 yrs ago, we had a lot of fun with them

We'd invite everyone over to the house and would hand each of them a rubber-suction-cupped-tipped dart pistol. Whenever Bush and / or Quayle came on the screen, I'd announce, "Ready! Aim! Fire!". My old TV (32" RCA XL-100) was covered in spittle!

[Raven123]

45. Were the debates as numerous, as long, and did they start 18 months before an election?

And were there as many candidates?

It is just a different time I imagine.

[Dennis Donovan]

47. This was Oct 1988 - campaigns *started* around Dec 87

[thesquanderer]

6. All your reasons to not go to a debate party are also valid for not watching the debate at all.

At least the debate party is a way to meet people and socially-network IRL.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

8. But I hate meeting people and socially networking!

[cwydro]

23. Lol, I'm exactly the same way.

Rather be home with my critters any day of the week!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

24. I am wondering whether debate parties are somewhat less of a thing now

because of so many ways of communicating in real time through social media. I certainly don't think they are useful as a measure of a candidate's support.

[redqueen]

32. Yes they're still a thing.

But yeah, not exactly a measure of support. That's just the good old MSM doing what they do.

[jberryhill]

29. Next thing you know, they are asking to borrow money and sleeping with your partner

[George II]

13. Who would want to sit in a room with a bunch of other people talking and cheering? I'd prefer....

...staying at home and actually hearing what the candidates say. When my wife and I watch a debate, neither of us talk much.

[MarcA]

7. According to the article debate parties apparently aren't a thing for his supporters.

That said, these gatherings appear to be more of a social get-together for friends.

[ritapria]

12. If they would hold a debate with no more than 6 candidates

It might be worth spending the time to go to a debate party …….I'm not interested in hearing anymore from candidates who have ZERO chance of being nominated …..The next debate will be in November .. Isn't it time to get serious ? ….

[sacto95834]

28. Debate Parties can be fun...

with drinks. On certain words or phases everyone takes a drink.

[still_one]

36. +++++

[Blue_true]

49. Yeah. They are one of those seriously in the weeds things. nt

[redstateblues]

4. What an incredibly boring way to spend a night

[Bradshaw3]

39. Certainly was at the Biden "parties"

[Think-b4-U-act]

5. It is things like this

that cause me to worry about Biden

[awesomerwb1]

17. Riiiight

My main worry about him is....why on earth hasn't he revealed what his favorite brand of sneakers is??

[Think-b4-U-act]

26. That too

But he gets no one excited, except for the fact he can beat and replace Trump.

[awesomerwb1]

35. Which is exactly what the planet

is demanding from us?

If beating and replacing trump doesn't get you excited comrade.....

[Think-b4-U-act]

46. At the start of the campaign

I supported Biden, but as the campaign went on I Became convinced he can not beat Trump. I want S Brown from Ohio to re-enter the race. All of our present candidates have problems.

[woodsprite]

9. I've lived in northern DE for 56 years and I wouldn't think that Philly would be Bidentown.

Maybe Pittsburgh - MAYBE. I would think more likely Sanders, Warren, Harris, Buttigieg, or O'Rourke.

[jberryhill]

30. It's because of that Scranton thing he does whenever he runs nationally

If he's not running for president, then he's "Joe who went to school in Claymont" (albeit at Archmere), and not "Joe who grew up in Alapocas".

But when he's running for president, then it's "Joe from Scranton".

[George II]

10. He should drop out immediately!

Just in case:

[Bernardo de La Paz]

11. DU certainly has lively debate parties. . . . nt

[LanternWaste]

14. A neighborhood watch party as a measure of electability. That's what we're reduced to?

I guess when you got nothing, nothing is what you're gonna argue...

[LeftTurn3623]

20. more excuses

I guess not being able to raise money is no sign of alarm? Lets just keep pretending there is nothing wrong

[PhoenixDem]

15. Unless the candidate induces a cult mentality

the supporters prefer to stay home.

Many candidates don't need a ritualistic pilgrimage.

[Scurrilous]

22. ...

[redqueen]

25. Why so hostile? nt

[Trenzalore]

42. The last guy who won had them nt.

[LakeArenal]

16. This Biden supporter is confident in my choice.

I don’t need validation from a bunch of partiers.

[Skya Rhen]

18. +1000

[LeftTurn3623]

19. That is what I have been saying

he cant draw people or money. This could be trouble

[redqueen]

21. Just more standard political reporting

about things that don't really matter, which is nothing new.

Debate watch parties are a thing. Have been for years. It's not everyone's cup of tea but it allows supporters to network and have fun. More relaxed than the usual get togethers which are more strategy focused.

Maybe the campaign should stop listing them on their website if this kind of publicity is unwanted.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

27. No real surprise there... oh well.

Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[jberryhill]

31. How many were at the Warren debate party nearby?

C'mon

[Bradshaw3]

40. Read the artcle

It talks about other parties.

[janterry]

34. He doesn't inspire excitement

n/t

[myohmy2]

37. sad...

...very sad...

...

[Trenzalore]

41. Biden is relying on traditional democratic party groups for support

A lot of the politicos and wannabe politicos in the area are behind him. I don't expect him to have much grass roots or youth support in a primary.

[Otto Lidenbrock]

43. The counter to this is he's probably the candidate with the most entrenched support

He was leading the polls months before jumping in, and it's pretty much exactly six months since he has been in and the lead is still his.

I look at Yang's online support and can't see another candidate with better enthusiasm yet he's still in single digits.

[Kitchari]

44. Perhaps the people who don't have cable tv

Are the ones who like to go to debate parties

[redqueen]

50. Good observation, and that number is steadily increasing. nt

[PupCamo]

51. glad someone had a hugely huge debate party turn out

[OhZone]

52. I didn't know there even was such a thing -

as a debate party!

I do my "debate party" here anyways.