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Who Won the Democratic Debate? Experts Weigh In. Who Won the Democratic Debate? Experts Weigh In.
(about 11 hours later)
Twitter can’t tell us how, or if, Thursday’s PBS/Politico debate might have changed voters’ minds. But it can give us the perspectives of some people with expertise on primary races: veteran campaign strategists and consultants from both parties.Twitter can’t tell us how, or if, Thursday’s PBS/Politico debate might have changed voters’ minds. But it can give us the perspectives of some people with expertise on primary races: veteran campaign strategists and consultants from both parties.
In most of the previous debates, there was at least some consensus on who did well and who didn’t. This time, there was little agreement.In most of the previous debates, there was at least some consensus on who did well and who didn’t. This time, there was little agreement.
Almost every candidate received some form of “their best debate yet” commentary from at least one strategist, some of whom argued that the smaller lineup gave each candidate more room to stand out. And in some of the most contentious exchanges, the pundits differed on which contender did best. Almost every candidate received some form of “their best debate yet” commentary from at least one strategist, some of whom argued that the smaller lineup gave each candidate more room to stand out. And in some of the most contentious exchanges, the pundits differed on which contender did best.
In the absence of any agreement on winners and losers, here is a brief look at how the strategists reacted to the biggest moments of the debate.In the absence of any agreement on winners and losers, here is a brief look at how the strategists reacted to the biggest moments of the debate.
Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. — often criticized by the progressive wing of the Democratic Party for his insistence that, if elected, he could find common ground with congressional Republicans — defended himself more forcefully than usual on that point, saying he refused to believe that bipartisan cooperation had become permanently impossible.Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. — often criticized by the progressive wing of the Democratic Party for his insistence that, if elected, he could find common ground with congressional Republicans — defended himself more forcefully than usual on that point, saying he refused to believe that bipartisan cooperation had become permanently impossible.
“If anyone has reason to be angry with the Republicans and not want to cooperate, it’s me — the way they’ve attacked me, my son, my family,” Mr. Biden said. “But the fact is, we have to be able to get things done, and when we can’t convince them, we go out and beat them.”“If anyone has reason to be angry with the Republicans and not want to cooperate, it’s me — the way they’ve attacked me, my son, my family,” Mr. Biden said. “But the fact is, we have to be able to get things done, and when we can’t convince them, we go out and beat them.”
Meredith Kelly, a former spokeswoman for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s presidential campaign, called it his “best answer across all of the debates.”Meredith Kelly, a former spokeswoman for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s presidential campaign, called it his “best answer across all of the debates.”
David Axelrod, a onetime senior adviser to former President Barack Obama, tweeted that Mr. Biden had made his point “effectively” and looked “better and more relaxed than he has in the previous five debates.”David Axelrod, a onetime senior adviser to former President Barack Obama, tweeted that Mr. Biden had made his point “effectively” and looked “better and more relaxed than he has in the previous five debates.”
And Seth Masket, director of the Center on American Politics at the University of Denver, said Mr. Biden was “acting like a front-runner — sticking to his strengths, giving pretty concise answers, prioritizing — not making — mistakes over swinging for a home run.”And Seth Masket, director of the Center on American Politics at the University of Denver, said Mr. Biden was “acting like a front-runner — sticking to his strengths, giving pretty concise answers, prioritizing — not making — mistakes over swinging for a home run.”
One of the fiercest exchanges was between Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Ind. Ms. Klobuchar challenged Mr. Buttigieg on his experience and electability — noting that she has repeatedly won in conservative parts of Minnesota, while Mr. Buttigieg has never won a statewide election. Dan Pfeiffer, a former senior adviser to Mr. Obama, called the exchange “a significant moment in this primary.”One of the fiercest exchanges was between Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Ind. Ms. Klobuchar challenged Mr. Buttigieg on his experience and electability — noting that she has repeatedly won in conservative parts of Minnesota, while Mr. Buttigieg has never won a statewide election. Dan Pfeiffer, a former senior adviser to Mr. Obama, called the exchange “a significant moment in this primary.”
Strategists were divided, however, on who came out on top.Strategists were divided, however, on who came out on top.
“The Amy-Pete clash went to Klobuchar,” Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, tweeted. “Top-level experience & winning big elections matter.”“The Amy-Pete clash went to Klobuchar,” Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, tweeted. “Top-level experience & winning big elections matter.”
Mo Elleithee, executive director of the Georgetown Institute of Politics and a former spokesman for the Democratic National Committee, said the opposite. “Klobuchar continues to be one of the best debaters in the field, and she was solid tonight, but I think the experience attack on Pete was not a good moment,” he tweeted. “Pete continues to handle attacks better than almost anyone else in this format.”Mo Elleithee, executive director of the Georgetown Institute of Politics and a former spokesman for the Democratic National Committee, said the opposite. “Klobuchar continues to be one of the best debaters in the field, and she was solid tonight, but I think the experience attack on Pete was not a good moment,” he tweeted. “Pete continues to handle attacks better than almost anyone else in this format.”
Early in the debate, Senator Bernie Sanders was asked to comment on the lack of racial diversity onstage: Six of the seven candidates are white. Mr. Sanders pivoted back to the previous topic, climate change, and several commentators expressed frustration.Early in the debate, Senator Bernie Sanders was asked to comment on the lack of racial diversity onstage: Six of the seven candidates are white. Mr. Sanders pivoted back to the previous topic, climate change, and several commentators expressed frustration.
“While I’m happy that @SenSanders can tie race to environmentalism, the fact that he refused to answer the question about the lack of diversity at this #DemDebate shows he still hasn’t learned the lessons he should have in 2016,” tweeted Andra Gillespie, a political scientist at Emory University.“While I’m happy that @SenSanders can tie race to environmentalism, the fact that he refused to answer the question about the lack of diversity at this #DemDebate shows he still hasn’t learned the lessons he should have in 2016,” tweeted Andra Gillespie, a political scientist at Emory University.
Mr. Sanders did, however, bring his answer back around to race, emphasizing the disproportionate effects climate change has on minority communities.Mr. Sanders did, however, bring his answer back around to race, emphasizing the disproportionate effects climate change has on minority communities.
“One of the best answers I’ve heard from Sanders about race,” Jess Morales Rocketto, political director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, tweeted. “Sort of a clumsy start and finish but good on the inside.”“One of the best answers I’ve heard from Sanders about race,” Jess Morales Rocketto, political director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, tweeted. “Sort of a clumsy start and finish but good on the inside.”
Assessing Mr. Sanders’s overall performance after the debate, Laura Belin, an Iowa political commentator, said that he “seemed more comfortable than in previous debates” and that, after a couple months in which he has gained ground in the polls, “I didn’t hear anything tonight that would drive away anyone supporting him or leaning that way.”Assessing Mr. Sanders’s overall performance after the debate, Laura Belin, an Iowa political commentator, said that he “seemed more comfortable than in previous debates” and that, after a couple months in which he has gained ground in the polls, “I didn’t hear anything tonight that would drive away anyone supporting him or leaning that way.”
Ms. Warren also had a tense, and memorable, exchange with Mr. Buttigieg over campaign finance. But the strategists tended to agree that her strongest moments came elsewhere.Ms. Warren also had a tense, and memorable, exchange with Mr. Buttigieg over campaign finance. But the strategists tended to agree that her strongest moments came elsewhere.
“My #DemDebate focus group says Elizabeth Warren won the first round tonight because of her talk on the economy,” Frank Luntz, a Republican pollster, tweeted. “This echoes her early rise in the polls as she detailed her policies more.”“My #DemDebate focus group says Elizabeth Warren won the first round tonight because of her talk on the economy,” Frank Luntz, a Republican pollster, tweeted. “This echoes her early rise in the polls as she detailed her policies more.”
Ms. Warren also drew significant praise for her pithy retort to a question about her age — a moderator said she would be the oldest woman elected president, to which she replied, “I’d also be the youngest woman ever elected” — and for her call, in response to a question about transgender rights, to say the names of transgender women of color who have been murdered.Ms. Warren also drew significant praise for her pithy retort to a question about her age — a moderator said she would be the oldest woman elected president, to which she replied, “I’d also be the youngest woman ever elected” — and for her call, in response to a question about transgender rights, to say the names of transgender women of color who have been murdered.
Andrew Yang — who, as an Asian-American, was the only nonwhite candidate onstage — was asked what message his presence sent to people of color. He received good reviews for his response, in which he said it was “both an honor and disappointment to be the lone candidate of color on the stage tonight” and argued that his universal basic income proposal would give members of minority groups more power in campaigns.Andrew Yang — who, as an Asian-American, was the only nonwhite candidate onstage — was asked what message his presence sent to people of color. He received good reviews for his response, in which he said it was “both an honor and disappointment to be the lone candidate of color on the stage tonight” and argued that his universal basic income proposal would give members of minority groups more power in campaigns.
“Andrew Yang was very well prepared and used his time effectively,” Ms. Belin tweeted. “He landed some good jokes — not easy in this context — and went in some unexpected directions (such as connecting the dots between money in politics and misogyny).”“Andrew Yang was very well prepared and used his time effectively,” Ms. Belin tweeted. “He landed some good jokes — not easy in this context — and went in some unexpected directions (such as connecting the dots between money in politics and misogyny).”
And Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, praised his decision to shift “the question of representation to structural inequity and real impact.” Speaks to maternal mortality in the black community. Room appreciates it.”And Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, praised his decision to shift “the question of representation to structural inequity and real impact.” Speaks to maternal mortality in the black community. Room appreciates it.”
Tom Steyer drew applause during a discussion of immigration policy when he said President Trump does not oppose all immigration, only immigration by people of color.Tom Steyer drew applause during a discussion of immigration policy when he said President Trump does not oppose all immigration, only immigration by people of color.
“‘This is a president who only wants white immigration’ was his high-scoring line of the night,” Mr. Luntz said, referring to the results of his focus group.“‘This is a president who only wants white immigration’ was his high-scoring line of the night,” Mr. Luntz said, referring to the results of his focus group.
“TOM STEYER COME THROUGH!!!!” Ms. Morales Rocketto tweeted. “100 out of 100 answer on immigration!”“TOM STEYER COME THROUGH!!!!” Ms. Morales Rocketto tweeted. “100 out of 100 answer on immigration!”