This Was the Most Substantive Presidential Debate in Years

[babylonsister]

This Was the Most Substantive Presidential Debate in Years
And it told us a lot about where the Democratic party is today.
Tim Murphy
Senior ReporterBio | Follow


The first Democratic presidential debate didn’t focus on electability. There were no questions from NBC’s panel of moderators about polling numbers, gaffes, or the tone and rhetoric in Washington. For one night, it was as if President Donald Trump’s Twitter account didn’t even exist.

Instead, the 10 candidates who took the stage in Miami Wednesday night were peppered with a series of substantive questions about the policy fights that have consumed the party over the last two years. And they seemed perfectly content to talk about those issues. The result offered a revealing glimpse of just how much the Democratic policy conversation has evolved on a variety of issues—from economic inequality to climate to immigration.

It was also pretty good TV.

The tone was set early on. There were no opening statements—instead, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren was asked point-blank at about 9:01 p.m. about her economic agenda. Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke was asked if he’d support a top marginal tax rate of 70 percent, and if not, what he believed the top rate should be. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker was asked about corporate consolidation. On and on down the line they went—New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio fielded a question about economic inequality in his city. Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan was asked about manufacturing.

It is difficult in any format—let alone a rapid-fire debate with nine other people—to pin down presidential candidates on these kinds of things, and not every question Wednesday received a satisfying answer. But it was significant that in arguably the dumbest era in American history, where policy is set while watching Fox & Friends, Democrats started off their presidential primary by talking in a serious way about their plans.

more...

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/06/democratic-debate-miami-warren-beto-castro/

[tblue37]

1. K&R. nt

[CanonRay]

2. The talking heads were bitching that they didn't attack Trump

To what end? We all hate him, it's a given. What's the point in the first debate? Plenty of time to lather up against him. I think most of us wanted to hear substance. And we did.

[IronLionZion]

3. Chuck Todd even said something about the diversity of policy positions on our side

and how it is refreshing and a very good thing for our country.

[bullwinkle428]

4. Adults actually discussing policy issues. Who could have figured??

[underpants]

5. Just saw this thread. I posted one about the comparator 2016

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212223720