What Went Down At The Nevada Democratic Debate

That’s an interesting question about Warren, Micah. It’s definitely risky for female candidates to be perceived as too aggressive — voters often penalize them for it while rewarding male candidates for the same behavior. But I think you’re right that she doesn’t have a lot to lose now, so why not try it. And it’s not like a less aggressive strategy has been helping her. Maybe taking the gloves off will make some people like her more.

Here’s a theory, Geoffrey: When all the other candidates are shouty, Biden’s shoutiness doesn’t seem quite so shrill.

Biden is kind of walking a line of speaking loudly versus shouting, but he’s also been relatively sharp in his two extended answers. He needs to shake things up in a positive way tonight, and he’s managed to talk about his strength against Trump in the general election and then building on Obamacare — Obama! — while going after his opponents’ health care plans.