For the third Democratic presidential debate on ABC on Saturday, World News Tonight anchor David Muir and ABC Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz have the enviable job of watching Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton and Martin O’Malley all more-or-less agree with each other. Since Clinton has announced her opposition to the Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement and the Keystone XL Pipeline, her differences with her two rivals have been substantially muted.
Okay so this does not sound as if it will be as entertaining as the last few GOP debates, but that may NOT be true.
And while I understand that there will be fewer eyeballs glued to this, especially as it is coming so close to Christmas, I also know that IT is the more consequential debate because one of these people are actually going to end up as President of the United States.
Think of it as the difference between watching Downtown Abbey and the Housewives of Orange County. Sure it may not be as "Holy shit I can't believe that just happened!" entertaining, but it also will not make you want to take a shower to get the ick off afterward.
As usual I will be updating this post as new information is made available and to can follow my lively though slightly inebriated Twitter page here.
Update: Got that out of the way quickly.
Sanders: I apologize for the data breach. "This is not the type of campaign that we run" #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/Hye1Uq6jph
— PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) December 20, 2015.@MartinOMalley goes after @BernieSanders and @HillaryClinton https://t.co/2uyOmzwGht pic.twitter.com/9KRkaUCqk0
— POLITICO (@politico) December 20, 2015WATCH: @HillaryClinton: "If the United States does not lead, there is not another leader." #DemDebate https://t.co/bopP4YXeke
— ABC News (@ABC) December 20, 2015Hillary shows up late https://t.co/TzYMsAJ25l
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) December 20, 2015
Now that there's a kerfuffle over computer access to voter databases, the national political media have suddenly discovered that there is somebody other than Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton in the political campaigns. Of course, they're covering it with all of the sophistication and restraint of announcers covering a Demolition Derby. Sigh.....
ReplyDeleteTom, in FL
I find it funny that MSNBC will give hours (everyday, especially prime time) of free air time for Trump, but won't even cover the Democratic debate tonight, even though MSNBC has covered every Republican debate.
ReplyDeleteIt's Saturday night. The GOP debates were held while scheduled news programs were on the air. Blame it on DW-S.
DeleteI do blame DWS for the debate schedule and the bias for Hillary but MSNBC had no problem being on 24/7 during the San Bernardino shooting. It's a corporate decision.
DeleteCollege football bowl games here!
ReplyDeleteSticking with "real" players tonight.
Trump has made it impossible to NOT cover him. Everything he says is pointlessly controversial. Not cool, but that's the way it is. Meanwhile, everything that Hillary Clinton DOES has been controversial for being shady, and she's also covered. Someone like Bernie Sanders has to do so damn much just to barely get mentioned. The people must like controversy. I won't blame MSNBC for this.
ReplyDeleteThe media is trying to screw things up - should we be surprised about MSNBC et al? Fuck them!
ReplyDeleteStay on the internet to get all your information - it's called 'check the facts' and research questions and thought you might have!
All the networks are not to be trusted - they are trying to give the presidency to Trump! Screw them and The Donald!
Do you want to see continual war and possible nuclear destruction throughout the world? Then vote the fucking Republican candidates, you idiot!
I'm with you, I'm done with them, as much as I love Rachel. I went with Cenk on TYT.
DeleteWow! Bernie apologized without trying to justify or deflect from the breech? No excuses?
ReplyDeleteObviously he does not belong in politics!
Go Bernie!
As much as I love Bernie and want him at my family Christmas party, Hillary is so sensible.
ReplyDeleteSensible = robot with no emotion?
DeleteOh please...when she cried at a luncheon with women last time, she got blasted for being an over-emotional female. Let me guess, you hate Obama too, and never voted for him, hate the country as it is now, and will never vote for Hillary..or Bernie. Newsmax needs some hits tonight.
Delete@5:47PM -- If you want no emotion, vote for Chainsaw Carly Fiorina. Plastic to the core, sociopath extraordinaire.
Delete@anon 5:47pm
DeleteNot used to female bosses or execs? Not every women goes through life depending on titters and fake tits. She must really scare you huh?
Time to hear from the grownups.
ReplyDelete++++
DeleteI was glad to hear Bernie apologize to Hillary, and to hear Hillary accept the apology and the independent investigation and urge everyone to move on. None of the ugly accusations that the Sanders people were making yesterday. Now if they will just get that grandstanding, no hope in hell Martin O'Malley off the stage, we could have a decent debate.
ReplyDeleteBernie Sanders should have apologized at the same time he fired his employee. That's what a president would have done.
DeleteO'Malley is getting on my nerves, too. He reminds me of a knat.
DeleteI love Bernie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteI think Martin O'Malley may have just sabotaged his campaign by attacking both Hillary and Bernie on guns.
ReplyDeleteDid not go over well with the audience.
Hillary and Bernie are ganging up on him in return. Is it wrong I enjoyed it?
DeleteThere is just something "off" to me about O'Malley. He just gives me that feeling that I wouldn't let myself be cornered by him in an empty room.
DeleteWatch the Opening Statements From All Three Democratic Candidates For President
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mediaite.com/online/watch-the-opening-statements-from-all-three-democratic-candidates-for-president/
Bernie is so Larry David!
ReplyDeleteI know, huh? :)
DeleteLove Larry David. That is not a bad think.
Delete#DemDebate
ReplyDeletehttp://theobamadiary.com/
Calls for DNC Chair’s Ouster Becomes Serious Issue Heading Into Tonight’s Debate
ReplyDeleteOutside of holding a presidential debate on Christmas or New Year’s Eve, the Saturday before Christmas is pretty much the most guaranteed time of the year to get as few people watching as possible.
Height of the Christmas party season? Check. NFL game featuring the first (New York) and fifth (Dallas) largest TV markets in the country? Check. Star Wars released this weekend? Check. Many folks traveling for the holiday? Check. CNN got 18 million for the fifth GOP debate on Tuesday night. ABC – which reaches more homes – won’t even get half that number. Which – as anyone conservative or liberal will tell you – is exactly how DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz wants it.
http://www.mediaite.com/online/left-media-activists-calls-for-wasserman-schultzs-ouster-big-story-of-tonights-dnc-debate/
ABC is making sure as few people as possible are watching. Their livestream is worse than useless.
DeleteSchultz needs to go.
DeleteI must drink a toast to Hillary. I'm not in love with her but she is so fricken sensible!
ReplyDeleteShe is so knowledgeable about what it takes to deal with international issues. Other than Hillary, and Bernie to some extent, all other candidates (both parties) are amateurs.
DeleteThe Bern really grows on you. Yes, Hilarity is a flawless pro and brilliant and a talent beyond, beyond. She just seems like yesterdays offering. Who cares if she is the best with international issues? I am thrilled she wears sensible shoes and all that. I just agree she is past her shelf life.
DeleteInternational issues are at the forefront right now. What would Bernie do? We need a president who is well-rounded in many areas already and not one who has to take a class.
Deleteyesterdays offerings? You mean like she is the best chance at getting single payer for our nation? Or that she is ready to deal with the gun issue?
DeleteThere is more to running the USA then worrying if weed is legal or not, that's pretty low on the average Americans list.
So spending decades educating oneself, learning, working, and gaining experience in government (Senator and Secretary of State, for heaven's sake) serves only to put one past one's "shelf life"?
DeleteAre you planing on voting for Adele?
Twitter is aflame with people complaining about the livestream dying or being slow and dying. Me, too- getting nothing, so I'm out.
ReplyDeleteABC is a tired joke. Instead of all this livestreaming shit they should just put it on normal broadcast TV like it was for years. That way people without cable could get a quality view.
DeleteThey did. It was on tv too.
DeleteNow I love O'Mally. I'm so confused!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad they handled the kerfuffle with a modicum of respect for each other, O'Malley helped galvanize the warm and fuzzies by opening his yap and sticking his foot in it. I've watched about fifteen minutes and they're actually talking policy!!! I just wish they'd stop saying the word "trump", kind of cringe worthy.
ReplyDeletePresident Obama et. al. have been trashed left and right for not uttering the name of the enemy. I say good for them for "telling it like it is"?
Delete"President Clinton" brings back such warm and fuzzy memories!
DeleteI'm glad they handled the kerfuffle with a modicum of respect for each other
DeleteWhy would they make themselves look bad?
It is the DNC. Not Hillary per say. Hillary is shrewd, not stupid.
Hilary is, by far, the most competent person on the stage.
ReplyDeleteToo establishment. Too much baggage. I am okey with Hillary. I don't know any other Democrats that are. So many are sick of her. Like establishment is done.
DeleteI'm 62, and I'm not sick of her. There is no one in the nation, including her husband, more knowledgeable, intelligent about issues, and ready to lead than Hillary Clinton.
DeleteWhat baggage? She has only had shit heaped on her by Republicans who fear her. I love Bernie, but a bright, amazing woman has the chance to lead the country, and it is about damn time!
DeleteI really open you're fucking kidding. Hillary is evil incarnate. Truly not a genuine bone left in her.
DeleteI'm with you 5:16 and 6:40! Ready for Hillary!
DeleteWhere I am, it is supposedly 'libral' yet too conservative. I have not made up my mind. There does appear to be a divide. Older go for Hillary, youth likes Bernie.
DeleteI'm a 65-year-old woman, a long-time supporter of equal rights,... and I will NOT vote for Hillary. She is a Christian Dominionist, member of Douglas Cole's "Family", and totally not to be trusted in so many other ways.
DeleteEven without the name, I will not vote for her. With the dynastic baggage on top of her own? Absolutely not!
Hillary is MUCH stronger on fighting terrorism than either Bernie or that guy who keeps trying to get a word in edgewise.
ReplyDeleteYes!!!
DeleteSo much about terrorism in the news is hype. Hillary isn't one to go after Muslims but what can she do about the lack of interest in America's homegrown terrorists? She can't control the press. Not that anyone can but others can be as good or better 'fighting terrorism'.
DeleteHillary is literally the most robotic human ever
DeleteBernie is doing a great job of nudging Hillary to the left...but he will better serve the nation be staying in the SENATE (where the sanity factor is shrinking like the polar ice caps.)
ReplyDeleteI agree. I love Bernie. Very bright, very moral, very ethical. I think he is an incredible Loyal OPposition - the kind that makes the country better and balances advocacy and principled stance with getting things done. I don't think he's a great executive.
DeleteLucy
Nice to see a REAL debate and not a dick-measuring contest.
ReplyDeleteI think Hillary might win that.
DeleteTesticle, anyway! :D
DeleteJeb wants her out. You know how the Bush Dynasty handles things like that.
Deletethey'll take care of her for Trump. It's how they roll.
My kids (all voting age) want a Sanders/Clinton ballot; I want a Clinton/Sanders ballot. Win Win.
ReplyDeleteIs it just me or did I just hear David Muir refer several times to "senator Saunders"?
ReplyDeleteDavid, his name Sanders.
Petty or lame people with only ruin Hillary. Not even Democrats what anything as establishment as Hill or Hell.
Delete6:22P WTF?
Delete6:22 must be drunk.
DeleteSpoken like a GOP troll., nonsense sentence and all....Bristol, is that you?
DeleteWrong debate?
Deletehttp://pixel.nymag.com/imgs/daily/intelligencer/2015/10/28/28-lindsey-graham-beer.w529.h529.jpg
I think 6:22 pm needs to put down the bong.
DeleteOkay, Martin, getting things done in a state like Maryland doesn't mean you can make the same things happen on the national stage. Good luck with all the southern states.
ReplyDeleteApparently every single issue facing America today has already been faced and handled admirably in the state of Maryland by one Martin O'Malley. Laughable, and frankly annoying. Go away, the grownups are talking.
DeleteMaryland is a southern state, particularly in the west, east and southern parts of the state. And also that strip that borders Pennsylvania. There's just a little strip of sense, surrounded by a vast wasteland.
DeleteHillary's got this debate!
ReplyDeleteDear Hillary, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPkTGm4RtVM
ReplyDeleteWe are slowly moving to single payer.
ReplyDeleteAs we should.
DeleteWhen Muir made Hillary state that she promises not to raise middle class taxes, it pissed me off. I hate when the moderators try to put words in a candidates mouth.
ReplyDeleteThe questions would have stumped the Republican candidates. "Bomb ISIS" wouldn't be detailed enough to be an acceptable answer.
ReplyDeleteI have the Bern.
ReplyDeleteThere's an ointment for that.
DeleteYou bet.
DeleteWanna bet some GOP operative is already writing a commercial showing Hillary walking back to the stage after the break when everyone else is there? I hate when we give them ammunition.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hijack the thread G but according to Bristol's instagram/pikore account Sailor is due to drop anchor FIVE days from now. I thought she was due Dec 15?
ReplyDeleteShe looks good. Too bad the ruthless toothless retard had to photobomb her pic. I hate that kid.
DeleteWhere'd you get the 15th?
DeleteI thought she was due the end of Dec until she was due the 25th. How much due can she be?
DeleteEveryday, stay in the fight.
https://www.facebook.com/SgtDakotaMeyer/photos/pb.253985551307960.-2207520000.1450585043./1070412392998601/?type=3&theater
No they want a abby born on Christmas Eve...then the angels will sing and the wise men will send money. Sailor os no doubt already here, but we'll never get the truth from Bristol. And who the heck is the baby boy Sally is holding at Chuck Jr's page? Axton or something? Does he have parents, or is he another prop?
Deletehttp://theimmoralminority.blogspot.com/2015/12/levi-johnston-and-bristol-palin-back-in.html
DeleteAbove is the link to the thread where people are discussing Bristol.
She's holding it in until Christmas Day. That's the Palin way. Real Pilgrims they are, living off the land and all.
DeleteChuck Jr's is all family and heart. He is going to do a PLEASEFUNDME for the little lonely orphan.
DeleteShe already had whatever bastard she was going to drop. If you look closely at that instagram pic you will see that while she has the large belly bumpit strapped on it is too high in the crotch area to be 5 days before birth.
Delete8:17 PM That is how it looks to me.
Delete@anon 8:01 pm
DeleteChuck Jr is all family? Is that why he cheated on his wife and got his gf knocked up and then abandoned his first family?
Chuck and Sally aren't telling where their new grand kid came from because it is another bastard. Ask Bristol.
Deletehttps://scontent.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xft1/t51.2885-15/s480x480/e35/11373489_378568919007081_875814774_n.jpg
I just had to drink a toast to O'Mally: "Hate and fear didn't build America".
ReplyDeleteActually, hate and fear did. They hated Indians and either killed them or put them on reservations. They hated to work, so they imported slaves to do it for them, then treated them like animals, fearing that if they could read and write, the gig would be up (sound familiar?) They hated the Chinese, but used them to build the railroads. They hated the influx of Irish during the famine, and put them to work in companies that dictated their wages, their hours, where they lived, and where they shopped...all for pennies. They hated northerners who refused to support slavery, and killed a President because of that hate. They hated the Germans, the French, Russians, North Vietnamese, now the Iraqi and Syrians. Always fear and hate. Always, Martin. And now they hate all immigrants and are fearful of women and children. They are really fearful of powerful, smart women like Hillary. And who are they? The current and former GOP.
DeleteSo nice quote, but not exactly true for half of America.
SallyinMI
Sadly, but so true, Sally.
DeleteMildred
Well stated.
DeleteClinton/O'Malley
ReplyDeleteFeel the Bern in the SENATE!
This is the leadership we ALL need worldwide!
First rule of picking a nat'l running mate, you do not select someone from the NE if the main candidate is from the NE. Clinton w/Omalley will never happen. Now a Clinton/Castro would be smart, get the Hispanic vote/youth vote/and a chunk of the southern vote.
DeleteTotally agree about Clinton/Castro.
DeleteThe good thing about the Democratic debates is that it is obvious that all three candidates are far better than any of the GOP candidates.
ReplyDeleteHillary's toe nail clippings are better than any GOP candidate.
DeleteOh, thanks, 8:03! You know how some people see Jesus in slices of toast? Well, now I'm stuck with seeing Donald Trump in a fungal toenail....
DeleteThere's got to be someone who would risk being killed to bring Hilary's skeletons to th surface. Someone go make Webb talk. I don't mean slander her like some republicans have been slandered. This is a woman who's never been a normal human. She's never cooked a meal. She's never planned a normal family party.
ReplyDeleteLOL. Nice try, Troll!
DeleteShe needs to go to Alaska and get cooking lessons from Bristol. Sarah may be able to teach her a thing or two about a kitchen.
DeleteIf not a kitchen, Sarah can teach her how to raise a daughter.
SNL‘s Hillary Clinton Meets 2008’s Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin
DeleteYou ignorant fuck, why don't you go and play with your fellow Chumps 4 Trump>
DeleteOr are they too intelligent for you?
LOL 8:05, those Palin women sure know how to cook.
DeleteI do recall Bristol has a wonderful recipe for broiled chicken or whatnot, and we know Sarah is a dab hand at carving. And Piper can show Hillary how to make mac and cheese from a packet.
But better watch out for Willow anywhere near a birthday cake....
LOL, maybe Sarah Palin can teach her how to slice processed hot dogs and stuff them with generic velveeta.
DeleteThat's a new one on me. She is disqualified from the presidency because she supposedly isn't a good cook?
DeleteThe debates between the Democrats & the Gop is like day and night. The Dems uses facts to explain their arguments, the Gop just blow shit out of their ass.
ReplyDeleteClinton/Sanders or Clinton/O'Mailey either one does it for me.
ReplyDeleteI love Bern but I just don't think he will be able to accomplish across the aisle as much as Hillary will be able to do. Sorry, but he doesn't have the foreign experience and is too idealistic though I love his ideas. If Sanders were president get ready for the senate & congress to make him a 1 term president from day one. They will fight his every single idea all the way since he's too progressive at this time for America. Little would be accomplished, SADLY. Baby steps.
Finally, three sentient ADULT human beings in a presidential debate. Instead of the simian cast from that Clint Eastwood orangutan movie that the gop has running for president. No disrespect meant to orangutans...
ReplyDeleteI love Bernie, have for years. He is much more useful to the country in the Senate, however.
As for timing, not really much of an issue for those who really want to watch it. Serious voters have the option to record it for future watching.
OMG i laughed my ASS off at SNL's opening skit, tonight haha!
ReplyDeleteOT...Tina Fey doing Palin on SNL
ReplyDeleteUh oh ... Saturday Night Live is making funny of Sarah! I love Tina Fey!!
ReplyDeleteMy heart soars...Tina Fey knocked it out of the park as Palin tonight. Laughed out loud. "If it gets too hard, Hillary, just quit!"
ReplyDeleteAnd once again all Tina had to do was use Sarah's words verbatim. "The man can only ride ya when your back is bent."
ReplyDeleteWhat does Bristol prefer?
DeletePrefer riding on top like a cowgirl on her horse?
Or the doggie position, ass up face down?
Any of them - ALL of them!!
DeleteSNL link to last nights skit
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvSiH1eAF3s
This difference in the tone and content of this debate and the Republican edition is so stark it's almost comical. Anyone, any person with even a modicum of critical thinking would see this contrast for what it is:the dissolution of the Republican party and in it's stead a twisted and oafish maelstrom of misguided hate and resentment fueled by bullshit and revisionist history. This has been slowly happening for a half century and was finally launched into free fall by the one and only John McCain when he agreed that a monkey should make the first flight and strapped our very own Mrs. Palin into the co-pilot seat. Bombs away, Geronimo, yee haw motherfuckers. Shut out the lights, the party's over.
ReplyDelete