What Went Down At The January Democratic Debate

Sanders’s pre-debate hits on Biden (on Iraq and on trade) have been brought up by the moderators. Sanders is getting the debate he wanted — the moderators are highlighting votes that Biden probably would not make today. But I kind of feel like Sanders isn’t really taking advantage of a pretty favorable environment for him. He is not as skilled as, say, Buttigieg in hitting his opponents in memorable ways. One of the best lines of the campaign was when Buttigieg said Warren had given more information about how many selfies she had taken than about her health care plan. I feel like Sanders does not have a pithy, memorable way to take on Biden.

Clare, your anti-Iowa bias is coming through!!! 😉

Well, I’ve gotta say, this is the most state-focused debate we’ve seen so far. Part of that, of course, is that the debate has a Des Moines Register reporter as a moderator. But it also speaks to the specificity of the Iowa audience.