Robert Reich:Some thoughts on tonight’s Democratic debate

[cal04]

1. Once again I was struck by the intelligence and public spiritedness of all of the Democratic candidates relative to what we’ve heard from the Republican hopefuls. Any Democratic candidate on that stage tonight would make a far superior president to Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, or any of the other blowhards and xenophobes now seeking the Republican nomination.

2. I wasn’t surprised but was disappointed that Hillary Clinton went into such a fierce attack against Bernie Sanders. His traditional position on guns is understandable given the rural state he represents in the Senate, and he’s modified it considerably as a presidential candidate who will be representing all of America. I thought her attack on his health care plan misleading, given that American families and businesses will save far more from it in lower health costs than any additional taxes they’ll be paying. Nor is it fair to characterize it as a threat to the Affordable Care Act because Bernie's plan simply takes that Act to the next logical step. Finally, I thought it inappropriate for her to attack Bernie for his differences with President Obama; they are principled differences on specific policies, which hardly makes him “hostile” to the President.

3. Hillary presented herself as an experienced politician who is prepared to assume the presidency, while Bernie presented himself as the leader of a political revolution. Both characterizations seem fair. If you assume Washington is not changeable and that the vicious cycle of wealth and power dominating our politics and economics is unalterable, Hillary's experience is relevant; she will make a first-class president for the system we now have. But if you believe Washington must be changed, and that system can be altered for the benefit of the many and not the few, Bernie’s leadership is more relevant; he is heading up a political movement.
What did you think? And what are your views about tonight’s debate?

https://www.facebook.com/RBReich/posts/1137541572925104?fref=nf

[PatrickforO]

1. I really like Reich, and this post reinforces that.

He's a very smart man. His third point is right on.

I'm supporting Bernie because I want the change in Washington. In a very real sense, that's what this primary is about - those who believe the system can only be changed incrementally, or who believe that bigger and more sweeping changes might be possible. If you believe the former, then Clinton is your candidate; if the latter then Sanders.

I also felt bed for O'Malley. He's really a good candidate, but suffers from bad timing. I hope he runs again because both his heart and his policies seem in the right place.

[tazkcmo]

2. Me too

I like how he seems to always end his pieces with asking what we think.

[haikugal]

4. He was strong tonight. It's good experience.

I think he has a future.

[Rebkeh]

8. It's the professor thing

I always loved that. Still do.

Thinking of it now, I'd love to take one of his classes.

[tazkcmo]

11. Really!

Great teachers inspire us to learn. The subject wouldn't even matter! I had a geology teacher like that and now (30 years later) I can't take a long trip w/o multiple stops to check out some terrain feature!

[Rebkeh]

15. They have a way of getting in there don't they?

God bless inspiring professors.

[TIME TO PANIC]

3. K & R !

[PSPS]

5. His third point is something everyone should consider

While I'd like to see Bernie win, I don't have any problem at all with a Clinton presidency.

If Bernie wins, it will be because there is, in fact, a "political revolution." I hope this is the case because, if it is, it will mean Bernie will have spectacular coattails affecting all of the down-ballot races as well.

If Clinton wins, it will mean that the "political revolution" isn't here, at least not yet. Sure, I'll be disappointed if this is the case but, if so, Clinton will be a fine president. As someone else put it, Clinton's political expertise gives her the knowledge of how "left" she can go and still win. This is called political acumen and she has that in spades.

[navarth]

6. "she will make a first-class president for the system we now have"

.....you will excuse me if I am less than thrilled.

[LiberalElite]

12. damning with faint praise nt

[Kall]

7. The comments were interesting

[Uncle Joe]

9. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, cal04.

[Donkees]

10. "Hillary presented herself as an experienced politician who is prepared to assume the presidency"

What about the part where she mentions Bill will be her economic advisor?

[TexasBushwhacker]

13. Considering RR has been Hillary's friend for 50 years

His statements about Bernie now and previously are as close to an endorsement as he is likely to give.

[DhhD]

14. Most people looking at and using ACA are ready to move to the next step. Clinton thinks ACA

should just be improved! Improved to do what? Bring down the cost for hardly any medical care, care that we were all expecting when we supported President Obama and the public option that he promised in 2008?

Third way Clinton is certainly out of touch with Americans. We are ready to go to the next step; Clinton is not.