Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumWhy I'm liking Buttigieg better than Harris.
I recorded both town halls but only watched three or four Harris questions. I just wasn't grabbed. I had hoped to be (hadn't heard her before and knew DU liked her). It was after watching Buttigieg's first question that I figured out what was wrong with Harris. It was that she was just so typical. She always cast about for 2 seconds to think of something she could say to relate her answer to the local audience. New Hampshire is one of the five worst afflicted by student debt. It's such a scripted debate ploy that I was bored immediately. Buttigieg just plunged into his answer. And he delivered with passion. Harris delivered like she'd done it many times before.
I understand that these judgements aren't substantive. But ability to engage is important.
Has anyone heard Harris be inspiring?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
rzemanfl
(29,568 posts)a 16 year ticket.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
elleng
(131,087 posts)Buttigieg just plunged into his SUBSTANTIVE answers.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
floppyboo
(2,461 posts)I was thrown off at the beginning when Cooper let it be known that Pete was on stage where he was previous student Prez, and I felt myself drift into that overly stuffy lecture scenario, and then, so far (1st commercial break) he hasn't dissapointed. I feel like I should be taking notes. yawn.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
LAS14
(13,783 posts)...talking about the makeup of the crowd?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ecstatic
(32,731 posts)Like right after the Kavanaugh hearings she gave an impromptu speech outside that was soooo good. But in settings like the town hall, I think she feels more restrained and cautious.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)She didn't give the impeachment answer I wanted to hear. It was an immediate "Yes!" Not the thoughtful measured answer I would expect from a lawyer. And very like her rash response to Franken, to the VA Governor, and one other incident. She immediately jumps to an "Off with their heads!" answer that I get the impression she thinks will be the popular answer, or at least hadn't carefully considered the matter. But maybe she's just used to making quick, definite decisions.
I much preferred Sanders & Buddegieg's answers, which were similar. Pete said something like "He certainly has shown he should be impeached, but that's for Congress to work through and decide...." or something like that. Sanders gave a similar answer. That's the appropriate answer, since that decision is for the House of Rep to make, as part of their Constitutional duties. But they said what they personally think.
Warren gave the answer that Harris did.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
jcgoldie
(11,643 posts)And she was on fire at her announcement a couple of months ago. I didn't see her tonight, sorry she didn't inspire you.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
forgotmylogin
(7,530 posts)I think I want Harris to continue to work in the Senate for now, possibly as Attorney General first. In the near future, I want her there asking questions on congressional panels. I think her default fallback of "lets' have a conversation about that" is perfectly reasonable, but I hope she can learn not to rely on it so specifically and it feels like a deflect (a positive one, but I think there are subjects she honestly hasn't made her mind up on yet and isn't ready to take a position on. Which is fine.) She's got a long, bright career ahead.
So does Buttigieg. He will be President one day. I think he should be VP first since he is young and can have a longer political arc that we missed with Obama since he tested right out of his class.
I think Warren is ready now. She knows how to explain things so you can understand them. I think she and Buttigieg are both idea people who are compassionate and wise to how government works.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
JudyM
(29,273 posts)scripted/stiff. But getting beyond that Ive been struck by her depth, warmth, experience and integrative thinking. Butiegege is looking more inexperienced than I expected, far more telling little stories than talking substantive policy... his policy talk seems to be more like a one-liner coupled with yet another story. I thought better of him before listening to him at length.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
She did have some canned lets have a conversation about it phrases, but what followed meant something to me. Maybe she had better questions or questions I cared about, that color my reaction.
I found her answer to the truancy bill and legalizing prostitution answers that really cared about the people they affected. The young, the vulnerable. She won me over with her explanation of her thought process along the way.
I, also, am kind of afraid of born again types and he struck me as such.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
LAS14
(13,783 posts)... for Unitarians.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
artislife
(9,497 posts)Now I am not so afraid.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
LAS14
(13,783 posts)... real "born again" people?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
artislife
(9,497 posts)A clean cut guy in a white shirt and tie may have set the tone...lol
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
TeamPooka
(24,254 posts)generation of millennials.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)It appeared she had to dig around in her brain for an answer,
where Pete knew what to say and began his answer as soon as the question was asked.
IMHO
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LAS14
(13,783 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
JI7
(89,264 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
JudyM
(29,273 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Progressive2020
(713 posts)I am trying to have an open mind about Kamala Harris, but my initial impressions are that she seems a bit scripted. Mayor Pete seems genuine and thinks on his feet. Kamala sometimes seems like she wants to consult a focus group before answering. That is old style politics, I think. Scripted, planned, calculated.
I think the new style of politics is being clear and sincere about who you are, what your principles are, and speaking from both the head and the heart. I think what we want is a real, genuine candidate. Pete really seems to mean what he says. AOC is like that as well. They are good extemporaneous speakers. I am not ruling Kamala out at this point, but this was my initial impression of her- too scripted, too planned, not real enough.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)Exactly !
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
TeamPooka
(24,254 posts)Women of color must choose the words more carefully. They do not have the freedom of expression in this country that White men have.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
mcar
(42,372 posts)Why is it a problem that a politician has prepared answers to questions? Shouldn't our candidates prepare?
Good extemporaneous speakers is one thing, but I want a candidate who has policy ideas and well thought-out plans.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Quixote1818
(28,968 posts)an answer, she lost me. She should have been totally prepared for that but instead she said that was something the pundits would need to figure out???? Terrible answer! John King had to press her on her answer:
Around the 3:45 mark
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Renew Deal
(81,871 posts)She seems scripted.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
SharonClark
(10,014 posts)And she can be like all candidates and have an off night.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
samnsara
(17,635 posts)...either. The 2 who surprised me were Liz and Amy. They both spoke with a lot of passion about their back grounds and how they came to be the people they are now. I didn't realize Liz was Republican until 1997. I could see these two on a ticket together...and either would make a great VEEP choice.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MoonRiver
(36,926 posts)I still think she's the most formidable candidate against Idiot, and would be a fantastic president!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
I don't need inspiring, I just need a winner. I would love to see Kamala and Pete on the ticket together, Or Amy and Pete.
I used to think Biden and Kamala but I'm kind of cooling on Biden-time to fish or cut bait, Joe.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,667 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LAS14
(13,783 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,667 posts)I like the guy but I do not believe he can win a general.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Progressive2020
(713 posts)I have looked at Pete's policy positions online, and they seem fairly progressive. Maybe I am missing something? Do you have any specific information on Pete and his Policy Positions to back up the claim that he is more "moderate bordering on conservative"? I would say that his demeanor is moderate, but his policy positions, not so much. I would like to hear more on this issue.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Demsrule86
(68,667 posts)His positions are out there.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden