Saturday, November 14, 2015

Open Thread for tonight's Democratic Debate. Update!

Courtesy of NBC News: 

The terrorist attacks in Paris have dramatically changed the outlook and focus of Saturday night's Democratic presidential debate. And they could very well alter a Democratic race largely defined by economic and social issues. 

The debate, beginning at 9:00 pm ET and airing on CBS, will take place in the shadow of Friday's attacks, which killed at least 129 and left 352 others wounded according to French authorities. France has declared a state of emergency and ISIS has claimed responsibility for the deadliest attacks on the country since World War II. 

And it's shifted the focus for tonight's discussion, according to the debate sponsors. 

"Last night's attacks are a tragic example of the kind of challenges American presidents face in today's world and we intend to ask the candidates how they would confront the evolving threat of terrorism," said CBS News Washington Bureau Chief Chris Isham.

I think tonight's debate is going to be a rather somber affair in the wake of the recent tragedy in Paris.  And it will mean that the candidates will have to convince the American people that THEY have the qualities to lead this country and to keep us safe in what seems to be an increasingly dangerous world.

Last night batshit crazy Ann Coulter decided that the Paris attacks ensured Donald Trump's victory.

I imagine that is because ole Ann "Adam's Apple" Coulter believes that blowhards that puff out their chest and talk tough have what it takes to keep us safe.

Of course we all know better, and that every one of our three presidential hopefuls are heads and tails above the occupants of the GOP clown car when it comes to responding to terrorism, but tonight it is the Democratic candidate's opportunity to demonstrate that to the American people.

As usual I will update this thread as the evening progresses, and for more up to the minute updates you can visit my Twitter account here.

Update:
I liked this.

82 comments:

  1. Anonymous5:00 PM

    Ann Coulter is a man.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous6:40 PM

      Jeb, thank Reagan and your brother!
      http://i60.tinypic.com/2m3p5r6.jpg

      Delete
    2. Joe the plumber was more feminine than old skanky Ann is.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous7:08 PM

      Is there such a thing as the (M)Ann Coulter Curse? It's similar to the Sarah Palin Curse in that everything she touches turns to dog doo doo.

      Delete
  2. Sarah5:11 PM

    All opening statements were good. Conservatives will be outraged that no one calked out Islam by name. Jihadist terrorists (Hillary) was the closest.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sarah5:15 PM

    Terrorism, climate change, economic fairness - Bernie is coming out swinging and is hitting on real issues. I am waiting for some sane talk on immigration to really nail down the contrast with the "build a wall/deport millions" nonsense from the Republicans.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I dunno, Coulter predicted the outcome right when she said (for the 2012 race) " If we don't run Chris Christie, Mitt Romney will be the nominee and we'll lose". I'm not certain Trump won't be the nominee.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:37 PM

      MarvinM 5:26 PM

      '''Coulter predicted the outcome right when she said (for the 2012 race) " If we don't run Chris Christie, Mitt Romney will be the nominee and we'll lose"'

      The Repubs were going to lose no matter who they ran in 2012. President Obama had it sewed up.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous5:30 PM

    ...again, the Grown Ups are in the room!

    Interesting watching the tweets that CBS is choosing to show...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous5:31 PM

    Where is the UN these days?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous6:20 PM

      Ask Sarah. She was going to light a few candles and jog on over the the UN.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous8:59 PM

      So offensive to see pics of her lighting candles in a Catholic cathedral...she is the antithesis of religious...

      Delete
  7. Anonymous5:32 PM

    Wow! the Repub candidates are tweeting their comments and CBS is publishing them...!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. So far in my opinion it appears that Hillary is schooling the entire audience, on foreign relations and terrorism and that Sanders and O'Malley are there to jot down notes.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous5:36 PM

    Bernie, how is climate change directly related to the rise of ISIL & terrorism? They are both important issues but I don't see how the terrorists are thinking if climate change when they massacre scores of people.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous6:01 PM

      Increase in poverty will make terrorist organizations more attractive for recruitment.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous6:20 PM

      Climate change disrupts agriculture, leading to poverty and hence...see 6:01 comment.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous7:13 PM

      But isn't hyperreligiosity a bigger factor?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous9:04 PM

      No, the bigger factor is the lack of jobs and income, thanks to Bush disbanding the entire Iraqi army, while handing them weapons and cash. Then he demolished their country, and then there was a drought, and chaos had to be the result.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous9:45 PM

      Climate Change Helped Spark Syrian War, Study Says
      http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/03/150302-syria-war-climate-change-drought/

      ==============

      Darfur conflict heralds era of wars triggered by climate change, UN report warns
      http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2007/jun/23/sudan.climatechange

      You're welcome.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous5:38 PM

    ...she should NOT say, 'my husband's administration'!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:25 PM

      Why not? It's not like it's a secret that her husband was president for 2 terms.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous7:46 PM

      Anonymous 5:38 PM
      ...she should NOT say, 'my husband's administration'!
      *********************************************
      I agree. It makes it seem like she is running on her
      husband's legacy. I hate it when she says that.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous7:47 PM

      I believe Bill Clinton was an excellent President and is an asset to her campaign and her administration. He is one of the reasons she has my support.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous6:17 PM

    5:38 PM Why, 5:38 PM? The 'first' President Clinton ended up with a good run and has a wonderful reputation today. Plus, there are references she would or could make to some of the other presidencies during her campaign, both in positive and negatives tones.

    She can refer to his administration, as she did, or as President Clinton, would be my thinking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous6:45 PM

      ...well, after watching this far I don't think I would now make that comment. I was concerned that some would think she was 'riding his coat tails'...but clearly she is in possession of her own power and facts!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous4:46 AM

      If Hillary had said the "Clinton administration" instead of "my husband's administration", some people may have misunderstood and thought she was referring to her own future administration. It didn't bother me that she stated it the way she did.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:55 AM

      Anonymous 4:46 AM
      '''If Hillary had said the "Clinton administration" instead of "my husband's administration", some people may have misunderstood and thought she was referring to her own future administration.'''
      *****************************************************
      If she says the Clinton Adm. everybody will know she is talking about her husbands adm, because Hillary has never had an adm, and might never have one in the future. There has only been one Clinton Adm there MIGHT be another one in the future, and there might not. So you cannot say if she says Clinton Adm, people might get confused and think she is talking about herself.

      Delete
  12. SallyinMI6:18 PM

    You know the big difference between the debates? When the Democrats debate, you don't yell "LIAR!" at the TV every time one of them opens their mouth. You don't have to have Snopes on speed dial. The adults are in the room...can we elect all three of them?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous6:55 PM

      THAT'S FOR SURE!!!!

      Delete
  13. SallyinMI6:19 PM

    I get really tired of O'Malley saying, "in my state, I did this!" And then plugging his web pages. We get that you were a Governor.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:24 PM

      Typical republican ( sorry, that what he is no matter if he changed parties or not).

      Delete
    2. Dinty8:07 PM

      See my answer to your bullshit below

      Delete
    3. 66gardeners6:39 AM

      @7:24
      O'Malley has never been a republican. He worked on Gary Hart's presidential campaign around the age of 20.

      As a Maryland resident, I can attest that O'Malley will be a huge asset as a democratic candidate for president in 2024. He was born in 1963 so there his time is the future.

      Hillary/O'Malley 2016

      Delete
  14. It seems like the moderator is using GOP talking points.

    But Hillary is taking on all comers and nobody has really landed a glove on her yet.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous6:21 PM

    My God!!! The damned commercials are ruining any kind of momentum. Get rid of the sponsors!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. SallyinMI6:30 PM

    CBS is showing tweets. Trump just called the debate a 'circus.' Pretty funny, coming from the 'carnival barker.'

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous6:37 PM

    Bernie has harped on Hillary about voting for the Iraq war and she's admitted it was a mistake. Why doesn't she bring up the fact that he voted against the Brady bill?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous6:42 PM

    Why are they not giving O'Malley a fair chance to speak? they keep cutting him off 'for the commercial break'...
    annoying...

    ReplyDelete
  19. Okay the back and forth between Hillary and Bernie over single payer vs Obamacare was both very informative and not just a little entertaining.

    Very substantive debate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:13 PM

      Yea, I didn't know that Bernie was against Obamacare and wants to give power to the states over the healthcare of its citizens. Did I understand that correctly? I'm going to have to google that for the details.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous6:45 AM

      If you read the fine print of the
      ACA, after a fewyears states DO get to decide healthcare and monies for their own citizens.

      Delete
  20. It's over.

    Hillary wins again.

    Blogger so tired.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Take the rest of the day off!

      Delete
  21. Anonymous6:56 PM

    President: Hillary
    VP and next Pres: O'Malley

    Sec of Health and Human Services, with that job raised to the equivalent of Defense, because a healthy nation is the first line of defense: Bernie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:26 PM

      Sorry, I would never vote for O'Malley, he still acts and talks like a republican that he was.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous7:55 PM

      President O'Malley and VP Sanders, or VP Clinton.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous7:55 PM

      7:26, Are you sure you're not talking about Lincoln Chafee who dropped out a month ago?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous7:56 PM

      I want O'Malley to be nominated.

      Delete
    5. Dinty8:06 PM

      Bullshit. OMalley was never a Republican. He started in politics working for Gary Hart in 1984, he worked as a field director for Barbara Mikulski in 1986, and his mom (Mrs O) still works as a receptionist in Mikulski's office. He has never been a Republican

      Delete
    6. Anonymous11:37 PM

      Please read the Wiki on O'Malley

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_O'Malley

      Delete
    7. 66gardeners6:41 AM

      It would appear that 7:26 is a troll that lives in Maryland. Republican there FEAR O'Malley.

      Delete
  22. Anonymous7:04 PM

    Man! What an old school or just old fogey debate panel that was. Didn't care for John Dickerson the debate moderator. I didn't care for Anderson Cooper in that first Dem debate but at least he kept it moving.
    Maybe it is just me but it seemed like Republicans (the panel and the moderator) grilling the Democratic candidates. It was quite slow moving and somewhat boring. And what's up with having this on a Saturday night?! Dems aren't good enough for primetime week night?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:06 PM

      Blame the date on Debbie W-S.

      Delete
    2. 66gardeners6:44 AM

      Here is a piece about the DNC schedule of debates.

      In an interview, Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said the weekend dates are because four of the DNC’s six debates are on broadcast networks, which are hesitant to move blockbuster prime-time shows like "NCIS" or "Scandal" — with guaranteed high ad dollars — in favor of a debate.

      "The networks really drove a lot of that. Once we're on broadcast networks, they have a lot more programming issues during the week and were less willing ... we have CBS, ABC, NBC, Univision and PBS. We have a whole bunch of different folks to talk to about settling on a date, but when my folks on staff negotiated, these were the dates that came back,” Wasserman Schultz said.

      Broadcast networks reach far more viewers than cable, since any television can access them. But Friday and Saturday nights are, on average, television's two lowest-rated nights of the week, while Thursdays and Sundays are the highest. The average Saturday night for a broadcast network such as CBS brings in about 4 million viewers, far higher than the average weekday night for cable, though it can reach much higher for special events like sports or a debate.

      A broadcast network executive, speaking on background, said broadcast networks are much more limited on time slots than cable, so they have to work within the schedule in place.

      Wasserman Schultz insisted that the DNC’s goal was to reach more viewers. The first Democratic debate, hosted by CNN, attracted 15.3 million viewers, far more than even those at CNN expected. The four Republican debates have thus far attracted a combined total of 76 million viewers.


      Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/democratic-debates-saturdays-215842#ixzz3rZjt0NUX

      Delete
    3. Anonymous8:55 AM

      66gardeners, thanks for the explanation. Just want to say that the high number of viewers for the GOP debates include those who just wanted to see the "show", myself included. I've not stopped watching them as they no longer entertain me.

      Delete
  23. Anonymous7:09 PM

    Sanders was the strongest and got the most applause and even a hearty laugh from the audience.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:50 PM

      Anonymous7:09 PM
      Sanders was the strongest and got the most applause and even a hearty laugh from the audience.
      *************************************************

      Yep

      Delete
  24. Anonymous7:18 PM

    This was similar to a Friday night doc. dump. Nobody paying attention on the weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:57 PM

      I read somewhere today, but now can't find the article, that the scheduling of the debates was deliberate...to keep viewership low and bolster Clinton nomination. This was posted at a 'liberal' site...just can't track it down.

      Seems like a very convoluted theory, but it IS Democratic politics...!

      Delete
    2. 66gardeners6:45 AM

      @8:57 you spread lies

      In an interview, Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said the weekend dates are because four of the DNC’s six debates are on broadcast networks, which are hesitant to move blockbuster prime-time shows like "NCIS" or "Scandal" — with guaranteed high ad dollars — in favor of a debate.

      "The networks really drove a lot of that. Once we're on broadcast networks, they have a lot more programming issues during the week and were less willing ... we have CBS, ABC, NBC, Univision and PBS. We have a whole bunch of different folks to talk to about settling on a date, but when my folks on staff negotiated, these were the dates that came back,” Wasserman Schultz said.

      Broadcast networks reach far more viewers than cable, since any television can access them. But Friday and Saturday nights are, on average, television's two lowest-rated nights of the week, while Thursdays and Sundays are the highest. The average Saturday night for a broadcast network such as CBS brings in about 4 million viewers, far higher than the average weekday night for cable, though it can reach much higher for special events like sports or a debate.

      A broadcast network executive, speaking on background, said broadcast networks are much more limited on time slots than cable, so they have to work within the schedule in place.

      Wasserman Schultz insisted that the DNC’s goal was to reach more viewers. The first Democratic debate, hosted by CNN, attracted 15.3 million viewers, far more than even those at CNN expected. The four Republican debates have thus far attracted a combined total of 76 million viewers.


      Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/democratic-debates-saturdays-215842#ixzz3rZjt0NUX

      Delete
    3. Anonymous10:23 AM

      The point of view mentioned above at 8:57.

      Excerpt:

      'Wasserman Schultz has long been accused of limiting the number of debates — and now the visibility of those debates — to aid in the perceived coronation for Hillary Clinton. The fewer the opportunities that Bernie Sanders has to knock Clinton from her pedestal of presumed victory, DWS’ close friend Clinton ensures her nomination and avoids a gaffe that would put the ’08 slide to shame.

      There is also another hypothesis behind the masked scheduling of the Democratic debates, one that allows for the Republicans and their never-ending media circus to wear on the patience of the general electorate. Voters will inevitably grow weary of stabbing stories, soundbites of lawlessness, and 95-minute tirades, won’t they? There, standing on Reasonableness Island, will be the presumed Democratic frontrunner and his or her path to the White House (of course, if DWS has her way, the sentence will read “her path”).

      The truth may lie somewhere in the middle of these two extremes, but Wasserman Schultz’s inability to give straight answers has increasingly disgruntled the Democratic base. She has faced barrages from voters calling on everything from more debates to her resignation, even earning an on-stage rebuke from Martin O’Malley to the cheers of a crowd intent on letting their frustration be known. The fewer shots fired at the Clinton throne, or in this case the less that those shots are seen by a viewing audience, means that the whiteboard on my wall will stay disproportionately colored in red marker.'

      http://www.mediaite.com/online/did-you-know-theres-a-dem-debate-tomorrow-no-because-debbie-doesnt-want-you-to/

      Delete
  25. Anonymous7:42 PM

    I believe if Sarah Palin ran for 2016 president she would beat Hillary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:00 PM

      Sir or Madam @7:42,
      Please put down the crack pipe.

      Delete
    2. Dinty8:09 PM

      7:42 I believe you are a moron

      Delete
    3. Someone could run a videotape of Hillary's two debate performances so far against Sarah Palin in person in a debate, and Hillary on tape would win.

      Sarah embarrasses herself every time she opens her mouth. Palin opens up about the cancellation of Bristol’s wedding and the news that single mom Bristol was having her second child.
      "That was a bit of a climactic, 'oh doggone, what happened there' issue...”

      Delete
    4. Anonymous9:07 PM

      Nice try, Bristol...you need money for diapers and formula, or are you going to breastfeed this one...yeah, right.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous9:14 PM

      Yeah right, just like Bristol will be selected as Married Mother of the year.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous9:38 PM

      I believe if Sarah Palin ran for 2016 president she would be running for office somewhere on Planet Chickenshit.

      Americans have already said they dislike her and wish she would shut up. Live with it, loser.



      Delete
    7. Anonymous11:06 PM

      7:42, Presidents MUST have more education than a claimed fucking lousy journalism degree.

      Delete
    8. Anonymous4:19 AM

      Oh doggone, what happened here?! Bristol slipped and landed on a penis, that's what happened Sarah.

      Delete
    9. Anonymous7:17 AM

      Anonymous 11:06 PM
      7:42, Presidents MUST have more education than a claimed fucking lousy journalism degree.
      ******************************************
      There is big question to whether Sarah Palin even graduated from college. I heard that the college she claimed to have graduated from has no record of getting a degree there. So I don't know if it is true or not.

      Delete
    10. Anonymous12:13 PM

      Palin talk aside, there is no 'degree' requirement to be President, nor should there be.

      Delete
  26. Anonymous7:53 PM

    I'm sorry, but Bernie will be 76 years old by the time of the election and I suspect his age will factor into his ability to serve two terms, if not one term.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous8:00 PM

    I think this was a very good debate. The one thing I would like to see them do more of is drawing a distinction between Republicans and how they would govern with the facts to back it up.'

    At this point I'm still undecided but lean towards feeling the Bern.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous9:05 PM

    Of course Hilary assumes she has already won: wall street bought it for her. :-). But with all due respect to the folks that only vote for a woman because she is a woman, Hillary illustrated that she is a every intelligent, well educated policy wonk with experience owned by wall street.

    Reality is that Bernie Sanders won yet another debate by sticking to his message and covering foreign policy. Bernie is our voice not wall streets.

    Poor Martin OMally . the dude was totally dissed by the moderator and the man has potential .

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous9:35 PM

    Please, it's "head and shoulders above", NOT tails.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous10:10 PM

    Hillary 2016!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Raz Lemons4:44 AM

    I feel sick to my stomach, Watching that was like watching two Progressives debate a Conservative : (

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous10:17 AM

    BIG-GOOD-PLAN:
    https://www.hillaryclinton.com/p/briefing/factsheets/2015/11/12/clinton-plan-to-revitalize-coal-communities/

    ReplyDelete
  33. physicsmom7:05 PM

    I was disappointed by this debate. The moderators did not keep the debate under control and move things along smoothly. The candidates began interrupting each other and speaking loudly (dare I say "yelling"), it was incredibly annoying. When not offending me with their lack of manners, it was pretty boring. I finally shut it off before everyone gave their final statement.

    I don't think that would have happened if the debate took place on another night. I appreciate the explanation above on the reasons for scheduling them on the weekend. Makes sense, but I believe that the Dems should have negotiated harder to get a good placement. However, with a Conservative media run by billionaires, no wonder they wouldn't accommodate the Dems.

    ReplyDelete

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