Democratic debate: Elizabeth Warren makes waves, but voters say 'too soon' to choose presidential candidate
Clark Mindock
1 / 2
Some people in the Democratic debates wanted to change things. Some wanted to clean up a murder scene with a Lysol wipe
Over the past two nights of Democratic debates among 20 candidates, a key question has been introduced to this clown car of a primary, namely: Do we want “big, structural change” — as Elizabeth Warren put it, setting the tone on Wednesday evening — or would we rather go back to the way things were before? All of the candidates are united in their belief that Democrats need to defeat Trump in 2020, but they differ on the reason why. The essential question is whether Trump is a one-off disaster that can be removed from the White House like hazardous waste, or simply the most grotesque symptom of the greed that is ailing our democracy. It’s a matter of whether Americans want to overthrow the status quo in pursuit of a truer, more equitable society, or tinker around with the great American dumpster fire, salvaging whatever hasn’t been gobbled up in flames. At the most visible level, this is the face-off between Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders, whose 2016 campaign played a critical role in bringing economic inequality into mainstream consciousness. Sanders was short on policy specifics last night, but his Occupy-inspired rhetoric remains an effective snapshot of the need for systemic change: It’s the millionaires and billionaires verses the 99 per cent. Whether candidates accept this framing is not a binary, so much as a stance that occurs on a spectrum across the issues. For example, during Wednesday night’s debate, the former Congressman John Delaney summed up the moderate approach while rejecting the need for a single-payer healthcare system. Democrats, he argued, should aim to be the party that “saves what’s working, and fixes what’s broken.” In terms of an overall approach, that sounds a lot like trying to clean up a murder scene with a Lysol wipe. (In this analogy, Amy Klobuchar has come prepared with more aggressive cleaning supplies, and a plan to use them which may or may not might involve an intern scrubbing floors with a toothbrush.) In broad strokes, the key divide at stake in the Democratic primary is between incrementalism and progressivism, and also the extent to which we will continue to be dictated by the norms and values that say the old white man with the establishment pedigree is necessarily the safest choice in this race. I see no valid reason to assume that is the case. From the moment he announced his campaign, Biden’s electability has been assured through self-fulfilling prophecy built upon a foundation of “because they said so” nonsense. If you believe Biden is the best bet against Trump, I am compelled to ask, what is that belief based upon exactly? If your answer is dependent on polls and talking heads, well, perhaps you’ll recall that those same polls and talking heads told us that Donald Trump was never going to be president.Joe Biden is offering the country an invitation to the way things were. He would like us to travel back to the Before Times, when too many of us — myself included — were comfortably numb enough to think political engagement meant sharing a photo of the Vice President eating ice cream. The neoliberal myth of progress has long been shattered, but Biden would like to tell you we can have it back now. Indeed, a version of “The Matrix” starring Biden ends about 22 minutes in, when he says, “The blue pill for me, thanks,” and then tosses it back with a milkshake. Except that’s not really an option. America is in the midst of a political awakening moment, and it is irreversible. Over the past three years, I have been working on a book which studies this shift among young people who have gone from passively navigating a broken system to actively seeking to change it. Based on my findings, I believe the revolution will be led by a paradigm shift in the concept of citizenship among the youngest generations, but the epiphany is available to everyone, and perhaps the most concise way to sum it up is this: “If Donald Trump is president, you really have to ask who the hell makes the rules.” Were Chuck Todd to ask me to describe the debates in two words or less, I would go with “anything’s possible,” (and then, obviously, I would keep on talking, because I really believe that anything’s possible, and also see no valid reason to listen to anything Chuck Todd has to say). The potential of this primary was reflected in the stunning ease with which Kamala Harris commanded national attention on Thursday evening, setting the bar for what it means to be presidential; or the precision with which Julián Castro cemented the criminalization of immigration as an essential litmus test on the first night of debate. There are new parameters for what is possible in the political conversation now. In short, we have the chance to create a new future together, so why would we opt for a quick repair on the broken-down mess that got us here in the first place? We are in a moment of social experimentation that offers the opportunity for a caterpillar-to-butterfly transformation, truly beyond what we can conceive is possible, and it would be a shame if we screwed it up in the chrysalis. This metamorphosis must extend well beyond the person we pick for office to a lasting change in the way we practice democracy as a nation. This is not an argument for any particular candidate, but an insistence on keeping an open mind to the rich marketplace of options on display. Our opportunity here is to participate in the primary as a contest of ideas, in which we are all undecided, high-information voters, who deserve to be wooed with a detailed vision for America’s brightest possible future. Don’t let the old stories limit what you hope for. “The way things are” doesn’t exist anymore, and, anyway, it turns out, it was BS all along.
Julian Castro was the breakout star of the night. Elizabeth Warren had “great ideas”. But, mostly, Democratic voters still need time to figure out who to vote for.
That’s what voters on the first day of the 2020 Democratic debates said, after 10 candidates took the stage in Miami. Some heavy punches were thrown by some — by Bill de Blasio, by Tim Ryan, and others — but voters said they are still looking at options.
“Castro seemed to do well. His responses seemed reasoned,” Dan Nagler, a 36-year-old Miami attorney, said after the debates.
Mr Nagler said he’s still taking a look at the candidates, especially so early in the nominating season. While the media focuses on things like Joe Biden gaffes, Mr Nagler and others are content to wait to make their choice.
“Some did better than others,” he continued. “Way too soon to pick someone to vote for. Lots to hear and consider.”
Xavier Presley, a 63-year-old chef, spent his day on Wednesday antagonising Donald Trump supporters outside of the Democratic debate hall. He said he plans on voting for Joe Biden — he’s the most experienced, he said — but that he is excited to hear from the other candidates, too.
“Cory Booker was good. I really liked Elizabeth Warren,” Mr Presley said. “Castro was very good — I think Elizabeth Warren had the best comments, and great ideas.”
The first night of debates touched on topics ranging from gun control, to health care, to climate change, and immigration reforms. At times, the candidates grew testy in their approach, with several attacking Beto O’Rourke, while Elizabeth Warren — the front-runner of the group — managed to slide by without taking on significant attacks.
In addition to Ms Warren, Mr O’Rourke, Mr Booker, Mr de Blasio, and Mr Castro, there were six other candidates on the stage. They included Tulsi Gabbard, Jay Inslee, John Delaney, Amy Klobuchar, and Tim Ryan.
Outside of the debates, where voters saw a chance to send a message to the men and women who may one day be president, activists rallied around a variety of causes.
Workers rights saw a significant turnout, but one of the most commonly cited concerns was climate change. Donald Trump was there in spirit, but planetary annihilation weighed heavy on voters minds.
“I haven’t totally made a decision but I’m leaning towards Bernie,” said Melanie Oliva, a 42-year-old Miami artist, referencing Bernie Sanders. Mr Sanders is slated to take the stage during the second day of debates on Thursday.
“My biggest hope is that climate change is discussed,” Ms Oliva said of the debates, citing “climate gentrification” as a major concern for her city.
Kathy Smith, a 65-year-old retired artist from Delray Beach, came out to fight for women’s rights — especially the right to an abortion.
“Since 1972, we’ve been able to have abortions, and now it’s coming up for reconsideration, and I think it’s rather late,” Ms Smith, who was wearing a bright pink Planned Parenthood shirt, said.
“I’m doing this for my children, and my grandchildren,” she said, without indicating who would get her vote.
Affluent Americans may want to double-check how much of their bank deposits are protected by government-backed insurance. The rules governing trust accounts just changed.
Teams have made their big splashes in free agency and made their draft picks, it's time for you to do the same. It's fantasy football mock draft time. Some call this time of year best ball season, others know it's an opportunity to get a leg up on your competition for when you have to draft in August. The staff at Yahoo Fantasy did their first mock draft of the 2024 season to help you with the latter. Matt Harmon and Andy Behrens are here to break it all down by each round and crush some staff members in the process.
Former NBA guard Darius Morris has died at the age of 33. He played for five teams during his four NBA seasons. Morris played college basketball at Michigan.
With free agency and the draft behind us, what 32 teams look like today will likely be what they look like Week 1 and beyond for the 2024 season. Matt Harmon and Scott Pianowski reveal the post-draft fantasy power rankings. The duo break down the rankings in six tiers: Elite offensive ecosystems, teams on the cusp of being complete mixed bag ecosystems, offensive ecosystems with something to prove, offenses that could go either way, and offenses that are best to stay away from in fantasy.
It’s key to note that we’re not saying the “best team” or “best roster.” Instead, we’re talking about the best confluence of factors that can outline a path for survival and then success.
In the most anticlimactic way possible, Nintendo on Tuesday confirmed years of rumors: The Nintendo Switch 2 console is on the way. "We will make an announcement about the successor to Nintendo Switch within this fiscal year," wrote Shuntaro Furukawa, the president of Nintendo, on X. Rather, Furukawa wanted to warn users not to expect the actual announcement in next month's Nintendo Direct livestream.
An annual government report offered a glimmer of good news for Social Security and a jolt of good news for Medicare even as both programs continue to be on pace to run dry next decade.
The 2023-024 NBA season isn't yet over. A number of teams are still dreaming of championship glory. But for those that have been bounced from the playoffs, it's time to reassess and re-evaluate for next season.
