Boston Globe: Grading the debate performance of the Democratic candidates

[TexasTowelie]

Last edited Mon Mar 16, 2020, 05:40 AM - Edit history (1)

by James Pindell

Former vice president Joe Biden

Grade: B+

Biden is on his way to being the Democratic nominee for president. The only thing that could have changed that trajectory was if Biden made some horrible gaffe (he didn’t) or Sanders had the debate of his life and convinced Democrats to change their mind (he didn’t).

So if no one watched the debate, it is good for Biden. If people did watch but were bored by the debate, that is good for Biden. Even if Sanders somehow “won” the debate but not in a game-changing way, then it was good for Biden.

-snip-

Senator Bernie Sanders

Grade: C-

The greatest political strength of Bernie Sanders is his consistency. It turns out, it is also his greatest weakness.

In this time when so many are focused on coronavirus rather than politics, Sanders needed a big moment to turn this race around. Voters are looking for leadership and someone who understands their profound, existential anxieties.

Read more: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/03/16/metro/scorecard-grading-debate-performance-democratic-candidates/

[Cha]

1. OMG! What happened to James Pindell? He did

a 180 on BS.. he always gave him and A and Biden a D or something.

Lol.. if you've lost James Pindell of the Boston Globe.. am I right?

TY, TT!

[Sherman A1]

2. My take was

Joe Biden: Ebola, Ebola, Ebola

Bernie Sanders: Medicare for All, Medicare for All, Medicare for All.

Moderators: pretty much absent.

I walked away and did other things as it was boring.

[AZ8theist]

3. I would rather have a coma-inducing boring Presidency ...

than the fucking shit-show we have now.

[Pacifist Patriot]

6. Amen to that!!!!

[whopis01]

11. I think a campaign of "return to normality" will succeed.

I don’t disagree with a lot of what Sanders has to say. But I don’t think it is the right time for that approach.


I believe there are a significant number of voters that are tired of the random craziness of Trump. Including ones who aren’t solid Dems. I think if you put up extreme vs extreme it becomes a coin flip with them. But if you put up normalcy, steadiness and predictability vs extreme I think you will get a much greater percentage of that group.

Sometimes fighting fire with fire isn’t the best thing.

[AZ8theist]

12. I know, right?

I can't imagine anyone with an IQ above 30 thinks this present "administration" and it's dear leader is anything but a fucking nightmare.
We ALL NEED TO MAKE AMERICA NORMAL AGAIN.

Get rid of the fucking traitor ILLEGALLY OCCUPYING the WH.....

[SunSeeker]

5. Boring sounds deliriously wonderful to me right now. nt

[Pacifist Patriot]

7. We live in interesting times.

And it is indeed a curse.

I'm with you.

[Cha]

8. Right.. your opinion.. Democracy is Never "Boring"

Link to tweet

[Indykatie]

4. Even Pindell Sees the Writing on the Wall - LOL

This is what they call getting on board with accepted conventional wisdom right at the 11th hour of a campaign.

[bucolic_frolic]

9. Does "consistency" mean stable genius #2?

#1 wants to know so he can become more rigid-minded.

[True Blue American]

10. I stayed up to watch.

Proof positive I was interested in what they said. Cool, calm and full of facts Biden. Angry, agitated, could not handle criticism Sanders.

Just verified what I have known since 2016. I was not bored at all, because I chose to listen.