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Historic NY

(37,449 posts)
Sun Dec 20, 2015, 02:16 AM Dec 2015

Report Card: Clinton Still Leader of the Pack

Front-runner hangs tough; Sanders improves; O'Malley struggles to move the needle

Clinton B+
Focused most of her negativity on the Republican side (especially Trump, by name) rather than on her Democratic rivals. Lived by the aphorism of Clinton '92: specificity is a character issue. Achieved her apparent goal of staying good-humored whenever possible. Staunchly and tartly defended herself from jibes, especially from O'Malley (which she did once again with bountiful, well-memorized opposition research in retaliation). Exposed some potential general election vulnerabilities, but carefully sidestepped significant nomination battle land mines. At times gave off the air of being too lofty to share a stage with her remaining Democratic rivals -- but with a dwindling number of remaining debates and sitting on a lead, may be wise to largely focus on the general election.

Sanders B
Apologized early for DNC data violation, defusing the issue but delaying the groove of confidence and spirit he found halfway through the night, when he began to flash his brand of gruff charm and smarts. Showed off newly-honed answers on gun control. Received a strong reaction from the in-house audience throughout, equal to Clinton’s own spectator support. Made references to opposing the invasion of Iraq but failed to frame the matter well enough to put Clinton on the defensive. Same on Wall Street ties, where he wasn't nearly as tough or specific as the rapid response press releases his campaign emailed during the debate. Expressed frustration when he was unable to weigh in on topics addressed by his rivals. His strongest debate performance, but still needs to offer a crisper alternative to Clinton’s agenda.

O'Malley C+.
Confident and conversational, but had trouble with the timing and potency of his attacks and interruptions. His tone veered from largely assured to occasionally whiney. One successful moment: Assertively demanded the floor to make the case he has the strongest record on gun control. Impressive, but not nearly enough of a force to move his low needle up.

http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-12-20/report-card-clinton-still-leader-of-the-pack

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Report Card: Clinton Still Leader of the Pack (Original Post) Historic NY Dec 2015 OP
Far F******* Fantastic! I knew it has to be but it's great to see it in print like that. Cha Dec 2015 #1
Far FUCKING fantastic, Cha! Kath1 Dec 2015 #2
No worries.. I think everybody knows what I'm sayin'.. I've just written Cha Dec 2015 #3
I get it. Kath1 Dec 2015 #4
It's all bush's fault.. he made me do it! Cha Dec 2015 #5
LOL! Kath1 Dec 2015 #8
My profanity increased exponentially during the Bush administration. Kath1 Dec 2015 #9
I was so stoked last night at 1:30! Kath1 Dec 2015 #11
B+? Then I hope they flunked the ENTIRE gop field! Rose Siding Dec 2015 #6
Be a 25-year-old supermodel heiress Ellen Forradalom Dec 2015 #10
Hillary was confident and had great replies. Thinkingabout Dec 2015 #7
I really liked O'Malley Treant Dec 2015 #12

Cha

(297,240 posts)
1. Far F******* Fantastic! I knew it has to be but it's great to see it in print like that.
Sun Dec 20, 2015, 02:19 AM
Dec 2015

Mahalo HNY

Kath1

(4,309 posts)
2. Far FUCKING fantastic, Cha!
Sun Dec 20, 2015, 02:29 AM
Dec 2015

It is very cool. Just putting it all out there. Unedited. I know you'll forgive the language.

Awesome, sister!

Cha

(297,240 posts)
3. No worries.. I think everybody knows what I'm sayin'.. I've just written
Sun Dec 20, 2015, 02:35 AM
Dec 2015

"fucking" on this board so much.. I got tired of it and decided to spice it up with asterisks.

LOL

Kath1

(4,309 posts)
9. My profanity increased exponentially during the Bush administration.
Sun Dec 20, 2015, 11:25 AM
Dec 2015

Especially after he stole that election.

Kath1

(4,309 posts)
11. I was so stoked last night at 1:30!
Sun Dec 20, 2015, 01:20 PM
Dec 2015

The combination of Hillary's brilliance, the company of my GFs, too much wine, too much caffeine and too much nicotine had me totally out of control.

We partied until about 4:00 AM.

I've got 5 very hung over Hillary supporters in my house now getting themselves together. My best debate party ever. Hillary delivered. We are tired and have headaches but are very happy.

We will celebrate again when Hillary is elected President!

Thinkingabout

(30,058 posts)
7. Hillary was confident and had great replies.
Sun Dec 20, 2015, 09:32 AM
Dec 2015

They just can't beat her in the debates, makes her more presidential in every debate.

Treant

(1,968 posts)
12. I really liked O'Malley
Sun Dec 20, 2015, 04:28 PM
Dec 2015

in last night's debates, but it's far too little, too late to relight his campaign. Still, if the Fates choose a low probability path and he ends up with the nomination, I wouldn't be upset and I'd be happy to vote for him in the generals. I feel he's frequently undersold by the pundits.

Clinton, I felt, shone. She radiates competent, intelligent, and calm. Everything last night confirmed my decision to vote for her in the Primary and the Generals. She's got extraordinary foreign policy chops and fair to good domenstic ones. No question.

Given the nature of this site, I'll simply say that last night didn't change my feelings for Sanders. I'm not voting for him in the Primary. I'll vote for him in the Generals if I must, but I'm rather ambivalent about it.

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