Nobody here seems to be paying attention to Michael Bennet

[ElementaryPenguin]

But I think he's potentially a very strong candidate.

He's likable, thoughtful, very knowledgeable, compassionate, sincere, and commands respect.

I think he carries himself like a leader.

I actually see him as a cross between Barak Obama and Mr. Smith (Goes To Washington) - there's a Jimmy Stewart-esque authenticity to him - partly due to his similarly halting speech pattern.

He entered late because of his prostrate cancer - but it's VERY early.

[lark]

1. I started paying attention to him last night and bet others did too.

i think he definitely helped himself.

[thesquanderer]

2. Good positions and thoughtfulness. Weak delivery. I don't see it. (n/t)

[ElementaryPenguin]

17. Bennet's delivery isn't geared towards speed...

I think he takes a while to get going - which obviously isn't ideal when sharing a stage with 10 competitors. However, he's a very bright and knowledgable individual - with a very quick wit. I think his weird delivery grows on you. Sort of like a strange wind-up from an oddball type relief pitcher.

[True Dough]

3. If this race was between Michael Bennet and Martin O'Malley

I'd give Michael Bennet a decent shot. As it stands with this deep, deep pool of incredibly inspiring candidates, he's a non-factor.

[ElementaryPenguin]

18. I think he's got more gravitas than O'Malley.

But that's just my opinion, and I see your point.

[dalton99a]

4. He brought up a pertinent example regarding Biden's eagerness to get along with Republicans

BENNET: Chuck, the problem with what the vice president...

TODD: Go ahead, 30 seconds.

(APPLAUSE)

BENNET: The problem with what...

TODD: Yeah, 30 seconds. Go ahead.

BENNET: Sometimes you do have to beat them, but -- but the deal that he talked about with Mitch McConnell was a complete victory for the Tea Party. It extended the Bush tax cuts permanently. The Democratic Party had been running against that for 10 years.

We lost that economic argument, because that deal extended almost all those Bush tax cuts permanently and put in place the mindless cuts that we still are dealing with today that are called the sequester. That was a great deal for Mitch McConnell.

BIDEN: Oh, come on.

BENNET: It was a terrible deal for America.

[Perseus]

7. Yeap..."Oh, come on" was his only defense

Biden wants to be liked, and he will, as he did then, cave in just to be able to say he "negotiated". Anyone can "negotiate" when the outcome is not on your favour.

And the NRA defense...by golly! If that doesn't make any Democrat cringe then we are becoming fanatics.

[dalton99a]

10. +1. Do Republicans brag about their propensity to please Democrats in their primaries?

Seriously

[Bradical79]

19. His NRA comment was just shocking.

The NRA has been extremely anti-Democrat, racist, had a war criminal as their 2nd until a couple days ago, was in bed with Russian intellegence, and attacked teenagers who had their classmates gunned down.

It's one of the worst possible statements anyone could make in 2019.

[Merlot]

8. Bennet really caught my attention with that statement.

He was one of the surprise standouts last night.

[Perseus]

9. By the way, why is Todd there?

What is in the mind of MSNBC to send Chuck Todd there? Better yet, why is Todd still on MSNBC, he needs to move to Fox. I don't know anyone who likes Chuck Todd.

He had to interrupt twice about the 30 seconds...he just wants to be noticed.

[ElementaryPenguin]

14. GREAT question!

I have no idea why Chuck Toad hasn't made the move to Fox News.

He must really covet his Meet The Press gig (which he shouldn't have - but who else on the network could get the fiendish GOPers to come on the air.

[Perseus]

5. Agree with you, same with Bill de Blasio

I am not sure why people are dismissing Bill de Blasio, I believe the buffoon would crap his pants at the presence of de Blasio, and I believe de Blasio would intimidate the buffoon very much. de Blasio also is from New York, I bet he has more inside information of the buffoon's wrongdoing that would work well during the campaign.

My understanding is that Bennet is a good Governor, and in my view he did very well last night, and so did de Blasio. de Blasio did not allow the moderators to dismiss him, he took his opportunities and run with it, we need someone like him who will not be afraid to act and attack the gop crooks.

I don't get the infatuation with Biden, he has done terrible since he announced his candidacy and last night was a disaster, his defense of the NRA was mind blowing. We need to be more level headed to make sure we don't fall into fanatic behaviour, we need to leave that to the republicans. Lets face it, the eight years he was VP were not his, they were Obama's, Biden rarely appeared, he was not a factor in Obama's presidency.

[ElementaryPenguin]

15. I agree that Traitor Trump

would be afraid of de Blasio. (and Bennet is a Senator)

[lapfog_1]

6. he had one great moment on the Senate floor...

and I liked his conversation with stephanie ruhe this morning.

[northoftheborder]

11. I've liked him from the beginning....

....he's been ignored by the media. He is smart, experienced, one of the few who really talks about helping teachers and public schools, he's part of the "gang of eight" who built the immigration plan in the Senate which should have been enacted, and would have saved much of the tragedy and mess currently going on; he totally understands the McConnell dam and has an idea of how to overcome it; he was on Morning Joe and Stephanie Ruhl this morning and had plenty of time to state some of his ideas.

There are others on my favorite list, and Bennett may not make the final group. But he deserves more of a notice and examination.

[blue neen]

12. Yes, he does deserve more of a notice.

I liked him last night.

[mtnsnake]

13. Same here. If he had more name recognition goint into it I think he'd be right up there near the top

[ElementaryPenguin]

16. I agree.

Perhaps things will change - it's so early.