Some obsevations of the Quinipiac Pen. poll

[RDANGELO]

.Even though Bernie is very progressive and Biden is more moderate, both do very well with independents. Warren does reasonably well. The others not so much.

. At most, only about 5 ore 6 percent say that they don't know who they would vote for.

Whatever it is that is turning off independents to some of the candidates, it doesn't seem to be ideology. Voters are getting enough information through cable news and social media to have an opinion of who they would vote for. How much difference are any debates really going to make?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Well, since my candidate is Mayor Pete...

I hope the debates make a huge difference.

I do think, seriously, that hearing someone speak articulately about the issues can open the voter's eyes.

I hope that will be the case with Pete Buttigieg.

[still_one]

2. Buttigieg will come across well in the debates

[thesquanderer]

3. re: "At most, only about 5 or 6 percent say that they don't know who they would vote for."

But nearly 9 months ahead of the first primary, these preferences are not cast in stone. Debates can change these figures significantly, especially if people find themselves impressed by people they had hardly heard of. (At least that's what all the low polling candidates have to hope for...)

[sprinkleeninow]

4. Do you not feel the debates will be revelatory?

I for one, anticipate seeing the contenders' performances. ☺

[radical noodle]

5. I think Independents aren't following that closely

and don't know the candidates that aren't as well known. I agree with everyone else that the debates could change things.

[pnwmom]

6. Or it could be that many of those "independents" are basically apolitical,

so they mentioned the names that they recognized the most.

Because about the only thing Bernie and Joe have in common, besides being septuagenarian white men, is that they both have high name recognition.

Debates in the past have made a great deal of difference. Many busy people don't really pay attention until the debates.

[earthshine]

7. Right now, it's pretty much about name recognition and reputation.

Most independents are probably less engaged than registered Ds and Rs.

It'll be different after the first debates.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

8. Lots.

[Qutzupalotl]

9. Debates can move opinion a lot.

Inslee, if he can hit the threshold, will do quite well indeed. He comes off likable, energetic and persuasive. I think a lot of people don’t know him yet. Everyone should donate at JayInslee.com.

Buttigieg and Warren will debate very well, and I think Harris is no slouch either. These four are likely to move up after the debates in contrast to less dynamic candidates. So I think these spectacles are informative, important, and will serve as a formal introduction to the public. It’s a chance to see who is the total package. I could easily change to another candidate. There are so many good ones.

[Hulk]

10. It's waaaaay early, and I could support any of them...

....but let’s hear some ideas. I hate losing a Democrat in the Senate, but hopefully it will all work out.
Just don’t form a circular firing squad, and remember whoever wins the nomination, they are going to be butting heads with the repuKKKe dinosaurs in Congress (and the lobbyists)

[JI7]

11. the other candidates do not have the same level of familiarity and recognition