June 27, 2019

"Did anybody seem to be doing any better than anybody else to you?"/"No!"

Question by Althouse, answer by Meade, after Meade reads this headline out loud, "Booker and Castro Thrive, Warren Coasts, and Beto Crashes."

I think the press has to come out with these winners-and-losers pieces. It's the convention. The linked thing above is from National Review. I had already read this in WaPo: "Winners and losers from the Democratic presidential debate’s first night."

The news has to tell you what happened, but with a debate — if you watched it, you saw it. What did you think happened? There were some policy differences, notably that Warren and de Blasio are the only ones (in the first night group) who want to abolish all private health insurance, but I could see that much more easily by reading an article on the subject or looking at a good chart that compares their positions. What's the point of a debate? To see who's good at thinking on their feet and using a compelling form of expression. I did get to see who seems to be able and willing to speak Spanish and who's ballsy enough to speak out of turn, but other than that, it was a big group of boring.

122 comments:

Temujin said...

Wait...there was a debate last night?

Beasts of England said...

Will tonight's debate have English subtitles?

Meade said...

"Did anybody seem to be doing any better than anybody else to you?"/"No!"

Admittedly, I slept through most of it.

Phil 314 said...

What debate?

It’s all starting to blur. How did Megan Rapinoe do in the debate?

Jeff Brokaw said...

A debate is almost the last thing we want to determine who among a group of candidates is the best leader. That’s by far the most important trait.

For example, a good CEO. Any of those in that field?

Temujin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Craig Howard said...

Yes. We want to see who is a leader, who can think on his feet, and who can be entertaining while advancing some semblance of policy.

It's why Trump eventually rose to the top.

stevew said...

They are debates in name only. Really just a forum for the candidates to expound on their preferred policy positions and, secondarily, attack and expose their opponents. As for the reporting, we've got to have our winners and losers.

Temujin said...

Though I missed the debate. Well...avoided might be a better word. I did read about it. And from what I read, Julian Castro made a point similar to this one: Life of Brian.

Presidential.

MikeR said...

I can speak Hebrew fairly well. Would it make sense for me to do it in a presidential debate? What point is being made exactly? Latinos, I've got your back!, is that it?
Maybe do some Ebonics too.

gspencer said...

In some form or another each D chanted, "More government, more burdens on the law-abiding"

David Begley said...

Midget loons quack in unison.

Pants: When do we get married?

Darrell said...

Maybe do some Ebonics too.

I don't feel no ways tired

roesch/voltaire said...

For me Amy stood out, a sensible beer, and Castro surprised me as a smart dark horse with a line that is going stick to Trump.

Hagar said...

The point is to have a TV show, sort of like Jeopardy!'s Tournament of Champions.

And Jack Kennedy did so well against Nixon in 1960 and perhaps the Democrat candidate can repeat that again? It's worth a try, anyway.

Ignorance is Bliss said...

Need a Jeopardy! style debate.

Moderator asks a question. First candidate to buzz in gets to answer. Audience votes up or down on the answer, and if down, the next candidate who buzzed in gives their answer. Candidate who gets their answer up-voted gets to choose the next category. Keep score, so at the end of the night we know who won.

Of course, Alex Trebek would moderate.

Hunter said...

The highlight for me was John Delaney trying to inject some sanity into the issue of health care. He appears to know what he is talking about, but unfortunately nobody is going to listen to him.

The D platform on health care and the consensus of their base is "insurance bad, markets bad, government good." And, I guess, they have no idea that Medicare is administered by the health insurance companies.

Curious George said...

"What's the point of a debate?"

With them all lined up like that it's a good opportunity for Hillary to Seth Rich them and become a contender.

henry said...

A line that will stick to Trump...

That assumes someone watched and was still awake at that point. (Note: I neither watched nor was awake). As I have no idea what line you refer to, it didn't stick.

CWJ said...

When did presidential debates become SOP? Were there any before Nixon/Kennedy? Is it all a function of television? Debate is one way to choose among candidates. Is it even a good way, or just a media convenient way?

traditionalguy said...

The only thing the beying pack of wannabe Socialist Commissars accomplished all night was dog pack dominance. The most ruthless Marxist won, Bill De Blasio. The reasonable humans on stage did not have a chance.

wendybar said...

I'm glad they spoke to their constituents...and spoke Spanish, because for the most part...they don't speak for me.

Hagar said...

Though AO-C may have it right. This was more like the Teen Tournament. No champions.

traditionalguy said...

The biggest pander of the night was the Washington Gov who wanted us to sacrifice everything have now or ever will have to stop the Crisis of Global warming. How big a fool does he think we are?

Narr said...

These debates are for the media. Not being media, I don't watch.

Narr
I got tired of those people in high school

tim maguire said...

Drudge readers liked Gabbard (who I liked a lot less after hearing her on a recent Joe Rogan podcast).

But yeah, bringing the horse race attitude to the debates does a disservice to the people who missed the debates and are now trying to gather information to make up their own minds.

mtrobertslaw said...

Not meant to be a pun, but keep your eye on Tulsi.

Sebastian said...

"the press has to come out"

You mean, MSM progs who have to massage the narrative.

"boring"

Trump got there first. Sorry.

Anyway: Althouse favors boring in politics, no? Or is there good boring and bad boring? She does seem bit particular about the kind of boring she likes.

Mid-Life Lawyer said...

I watched for about 10 minutes, hoping to get a few laughs. It was not funny; it was gruesome and I had to turn away.

Henry said...

I read some of the Five Thirty Eight coverage and I think a big "blah" was their takeaway too.

Booker got credit for most words.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Michael K said...

R/V liked Castro's position on abortion rights for trans women. Sounds painful to me.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

I'd like Bernie to NAME his dreaded BILLIONAIRES AND OLIGARCHS.

Are they private industry folks? Are they Americans? Does Bernie say so in order to ensnare Trump as an Oligarch? Is George Soros an Oligarch? Is Bernie talking about Russian Oligarchs?
Who are these dreadful people?
After he destroys the Billionaires and the Oligarchs, and brings them to their knees, who is next on the list?

iowan2 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Paul said...

The 'press' have decided who they want to win already. The fix is in. Pundits will be given their talking points. It's the DNC who owns the press and they have their pick already lined up. What you think is a debate that has meaning is just a dog-and-pony show.

iowan2 said...

"a line that will stick to Trump"

Please share, I'm not wading through that sewer tying to find it.

Ive had the news shows on this morning, they have not latched onto any single sound bite...yet.

Dust Bunny Queen said...

I didn't watch it. Would rather stick needles under my fingernails. That goes for the Republican "debates" too.

Note the scare quotes around the word "debate". They have no idea what a debate is, how to conduct one, or how TO debate anything. It is like watching a bunch of roosters (and hens) trying to crow the loudest. Strutting and fluffing their feathers.

Although...I do think that Trump stood out on the 2016 "debate" stage because at least he was different and entertaining. Fox in the hen house :-)

gspencer said...

Today is June 27th.

This is The Day it happens. In The Lottery.

Swede said...

Abortion rights for trans-women.

Donald Trump is going to be president forever, isn't he?

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Hunter @ 7:49. Interesting.

The D base want Universal Government Control of as much private industry as possible, and then they want as much free stuff as possible. The consequence of that system does not compute.

Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...

Since I don't speak Spanish, there was no point in watching. Maybe I'll take the time to change the SAP options on my TV before tonight's spectacle.

Lucid-Ideas said...

I'm a Drudge devotee.

I like Gabbard.

She's hot AND an officer...

I can do Gabbard.

She gets my Drudge-poll vote...and my heart.

But not my actual vote :P

exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...

roesch/voltaire said...
For me Amy stood out, a sensible beer, and Castro surprised me as a smart dark horse with a line that is going stick to Trump.

6/27/19, 7:46 AM

Wasn't Castro the one who said the government should provide abortions for transwomen?

No wonder r/v was impressed. Extreme stupidity always wins his approval.

I think Trump just might make that line stick to Castro.

narciso said...

You didnt miss anything, if it was conducted in Klingon it wouldn't make any more sense, mind you they would batleeth half of candidates off the stage.

Meade said...

“Maybe do some Ebonics too.”

Maybe I was half asleep but I could swear Senator Warren used perfect Southern Iroquoian to answer one question.

Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...

I wouldn't trust any of these clowns to babysit my dog.

Lurker21 said...

The headline says "Booker and Castro Thrive," but the article says that they "found their groove." "Thrive" implies that they did well. "Found their groove" just means that they didn't fail. They successfully fell into a routine that they could use from here on. That's not thriving.

But maybe Geraghty is using "thrive" to mean "attracted notice without obviously failing." They emerged from the background without stumbling, something Inslee, Ryan and Klobuchar couldn't do. Maybe the moderators didn't give Jay, Tim and Amy enough time, or maybe they just don't have what it takes.

But even that is nonsense. Abortions for transwomen? Julián definitely didn't thrive and if idiocy is his groove, it's won't get him far.

Kevin said...

Hoping someone will rap their answer tonight to let the black communities know they’re not being overlooked.

Not everyone has that talent though, so perhaps they can answer while:

- Wearing a half-crips, half-bloods bandanna
- Eating a bucket of chicken, like they do in Congressional hearings
- Popping in a gold “2020” grill
- Constantly advocating Harris get additional time as part of Democratic Party reparations

Francisco D said...

How big a fool does he think we are?

Do you really want to know?

I don't think you will like the answer.

Kevin said...

Why isn’t answering in Spanish being called a dog whistle to Hispanics?

The press seems so fond of that term...

Fernandinande said...

Here's a transcript, so you don't have to see or hear Them:

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/full-transcript-first-democratic-primary-debate-2019-n1022816

We do not talk enough about trans Americans, especially African-American trans Americans

Considering how few of them there are, "we" talk about them quite enough.

...and the incredibly high rates of murder right now.

Now that's not completely false; he omitted the fact that black male trannies are being murdered by other black men who hire them as prostitutes. Look it up.

Fernandinande said...

full-transcript-first-democratic-primary-debate-2019-n1022816

Never mind, it's not "full"; NBC censored the Spanish.

Mr. O. Possum said...

No borders. E-Z abortions. Bow to Iran. Government-run health "care." No oil-based economy. Learn Spanish.

What's not to like?

chickelit said...

Kevin said...Why isn’t answering in Spanish being called a dog whistle to Hispanics?

The media invented the term "hispandering" but they're afraid to use it now. Trump should drop it in a tweet.

Hagar said...

Perhaps they should try a Gong Show format?

Hagar said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
john said...

Then the gong master could run the debate.

wild chicken said...

Eggs, it's all too embarrassing so I "watch" debates on Twitter. Best way to live-blog it IMO.

About half way through my candidate for governor called asking for money. I thought it was a robo call and started giving him shit. But it was he, hitting the donor list all night and sounding frazzled.

I felt sorry for him since that fucking gianforte jumped in the race. I so hope that jackass goes down in flames.

wild chicken said...

"Eggs" = ehh. Lol

Fen said...

I was thinking yesterday how futile this all is - the idea that we're going to get another outsider like Trump to shake everything up. The problem isn't the corrupted fish we caught, the problem is the small pond we drew them from.

It's like the Miss America pageant. All the contenders have already been screened by their respective State pageants. If you think Miss Arkansas is going to be cut from a different mold than Miss Alaska, you're fooling yourself.

If you want to control the type of leaders American's elect, you don't corrupt individual candidates, you corrupt the entire pool of potentials they are all drawn from. And you put a big fence around that pool so that the "normals" can't get in to the mix.

That's why the Dems are all just variations of the same flavor. PineApple-Vanilla, Coconut-Vanilla, Vanilla-PineApple, MocoCocoVanilla, assakgjalkfsd snore snore snore

Wilbur said...

When one of them answers a question in Latin, I'll be impressed. Till then no sale.

I have a hunch one of the also-rans is going to throw a broom in the henhouse tonight.

narciso said...

76 years later:
http://dianawest.net/Home/tabid/36/EntryId/3895/The-Convergence-Dream-Nightmare-of-Rainbow-Roosevelt.aspx

tcrosse said...

It's an open casting call to audition who best to play the President on TV. Look into the camera and read a few lines, and try to seem convincing. Let's see who gets a call-back.

Fernandinande said...

When one of them answers a question in Latin, I'll be impressed.

xkcd reads Wikipedia in the original Greek.

Dave Begley said...

Wilbur:

Next time I see Beto, I'm going to ask him a question in Latin. It is already written.

Wilbur said...

God bless you and yours, Dave Begley.

PeterJ said...

I was taken aback when one of the candidates proclaimed: that the right to abortion should apply to transgender women! Was I dreaming that? I think it was either Booker or Castro.
Our world keeps getting weirder all the time.

iowan2 said...

It's an open casting call to audition who best to play the President on TV. Look into the camera and read a few lines, and try to seem convincing. Let's see who gets a call-back.

Goes from "looks Presidential" to "does the best at a casting call, to play a part written for them"

Noted. Goal post moved.

Kay said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kay said...

I’ve gone from feeling disinterested in the dabates, likely my default position, to actively avoiding them. So probably the only way to appeal to a voter like me is if one candidate says sonething really stand-out, or provocative.

Leland said...

Did anybody seem to be doing any better than anybody else to you?

The American people since 2016.

Dave Begley said...

Wilbur:

My college Latin teacher would be proud! And he gave me my lowest grade at Creighton, but I deserved it.

rcocean said...

What is the point of speaking Spanish in an English Language debate? Did any of the other candidates speak Spanish except Castro? How would they know what Beto was saying? How could they respond to it?

My idea for a SNL sketch. Show the candidates breaking into various foreign languages and then show subtitles that they are secretly insulting the candidates and saying crazy things.

narciso said...

It was to evade the answer, that a 70% income tax was insane:

https://www.scotusblog.com/2019/06/live-blog-of-opinions-46/

rcocean said...

Beto was extremely unimpressive. Low energy. Warren is mimicking Bernie's policy positions and will steal all his voters. Why go with a 80 year old White Guy who's "crazy" when you can get the same thing from a 60 y/o female Senator from Mass?

No one else made an impression, except the bald white guy with beady eyes. Whoever he was.

chickelit said...

My idea for a SNL sketch. Show the candidates breaking into various foreign languages and then show subtitles that they are secretly insulting the candidates and saying crazy things.

LOL

Mike (MJB Wolf) said...

I watched unimpressed by anyone except Delaney, who stood out by standing up to the mob eager to take private insurance away from 100-million Americans. “Do we want to be the party that takes away what’s working?” His sanity was unappreciated by the other candidates, and frankly ten years too late to help his party. Dude they went all-in on destroying “what works” a long time ago.

rcocean said...

I'll watch this one tonight. But no more. They're just a waste of time. And I think everyone will think so very soon.

Henry said...

Pretty funny NYMag take on the twitter reaction to the Spanish speaking:

MODERATOR: What's your favorite Wu Tang album?

WARREN: What kind of question is --

[beto grabs podium]

BETO: ESPADAS LIQUIDAS

Nonapod said...

When one of them answers a question in Latin, I'll be impressed.

I'd be more impressed if people answered in a fictional language, like Klingon or Sindarin. It would demonstrate an ability to focus on something that's completely pointless, always an important quality in a Dem presidential candidate. I mean, if you're concerned with Elvish abortion rights, or the treatment of Klingon asylum seekers, it would help if you spoke their native tongue.

buwaya said...

Castro doesnt speak Spanish apparently.
Or did not, until he was brought into national politics.
He was given a Spanish tutor some years ago.

Henry said...

My idea for a SNL sketch. Show the candidates breaking into various foreign languages and then show subtitles that they are secretly insulting the candidates and saying crazy things.

Pete Buttigieg would be like, "Do you want that answer in Farsi?"

buwaya said...

Fen is right about the little pond from which your leadership is chosen. And this goes for all your institutions, not just election politics.

Thats why your cursus honorum is so important.

The pond is thoroughly polluted, only some creatures can swim there.

bagoh20 said...

" a line that is going stick to Trump."

Oh yea, that's the ticket.

The Dems are so far out there, that you can sound sensible by comparison even being a socialist in America. It's like being the one guy in a lynch mob who says "we should bury the body." As everyone should know, racist lynch mobs were 100% Democrats.

Char Char Binks, Esq. said...

"What is the point of speaking Spanish in an English Language debate...How could they respond to it?"

It's not for the purpose of debate, and it's not even to win the Latino vote (they already have that). It's to virtue signal, to show that the Dems have abandoned the non-hispanic white majority of the US. That plays to the white Left, and to minorities, whether they speak Spanish or not.

If the candidate's Spanish is bad, and if it seems like pandering or cultural appropriation, or like an "embarrassing dad at a Mexican restaurant", as Colbert put it, that's all the better, because it makes wypipo look ridiculous.

Fernandinande said...

Well, I agree with Secretary Castro. My goal is to ensure that every American is well enough to have an abortion. In Laredo, Texas, I met a young man, 27.3±0.25 years old, told me that he'd been to a doctor once in his life. And on that visit, he had an abortion, and he was told he'll be dead before the age of 40.3±0.25.

What I really think we need to step back and talk about is the economic imperative here. And that is that 70 of our Fortune 500 companies are headed by people that came from El Salvador. Twenty-five percent of our U.S. Nobel laureates were born in Mexico.

And we saw those images, watching that image of Oscar and his daughter, Valeria, is deeply heartbreaking. We should make it illegal to feel sorry for people who drown children while in the pursuit of money.

bagoh20 said...

The Dems like to imagine an economy where wealthy, hard working, connected and capable people don't do any better than illiterate illegal immigrants, becuase that's not fair. Can anyone imagine such a system that is not complete anarchy and devastation? How can our people be so stupid to allow such drivel to even get a footing? It is either going to be landslide for Trump or this country is going to go through a really tough period ahead. Personally, I'm not confident in our voters or the honesty of our system, so I'm in the process of liquidating all my risky assets including real estate before 2020. Just too much to lose, and replacing Trump with one of these nuts is gonna scare the shit out of the makers, and investors. The Dems are basically promissing to rob anyone of means and pass it on to people who are not doing much. Nothing will de-motivate both groups faster, which leaves the middle getting nothing, having no opportunity, and having nothing to fall back on.

William Jamieson said...

Mike/MJB at 9:15 AM: "Dude, they went all-in on destroying “what works” a long time ago."

A winning statement in any thread. Clear, succinct, all-encompassing, memorable. Permission to borrow it until November, 2020. I promise to use it with respect and great frequency.

Bay Area Guy said...

Return with me to recess in junior high: you are picking teams to play dodgeball or football or whiffle ball. There are many boys, but after the captains pick, there's a few stragglers, whom nobody picks or wants, because they're ineptness will sabotage any hopes of victory.

These grew up to be the Democrat men last night.

Return with me to the high school dance. You are scouring the field to ask a young lady to boogie. Not her, she has braces and glasses. Not her, she doesn't shave her armpits. Not her, she's a brainy know-it-all in biology class. Ah, yes, fair-haired Lizzie B with the bursting bosoms! Let's boogie!

So, what happened to the females bypassed at the dance?

Yes, they grew up to be the Dem female candidates last night. (Except for Tulsi)

It is literally Revenge of the Nerds, and they want their social payback!

bagoh20 said...

It's not the foreign languages that are unintelligible. It's the economics and math used.

buwaya said...

Nerds are supposed to have the advantage of qualities that matter in the real world, valuable talents that are of no social vaue in the context of high school.

These people dont have those talents, they are mainly a collection of people who probably did well, socially, in high school.

Bob Boyd said...

Who has the fastest jism?

Bob Smith said...

Weeeelll. We know one thing for sure. That congressman (his hame escapes me) who told the truth about what will happen to the hospitals with Medicare for All just became a loser in the vote for me and I’ll give you some of his sweepstakes.

wildswan said...

"destroying what works"

That's the best line from the debate from Unknown John.

Bay Area Guy said...

Shorter Buwaya:

These Democrat clowns are even beneath the Nerds!

Heh!

Maybe, Rod Rosenstein can jump into the race.

madAsHell said...

What's the point of a debate?

It's intended to generate several inches of newspaper column filled with a waxing fan boi narrative.

What was actually said during the debate? Absolutely meaningless.

Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...

"No- I dont want anyone urinating in my wigwam" answered Warren,

when asked about TPP.

...And why didnt they give the prompt "Para Español, marque el dos" before the debate started?

AllenS said...

Sounds like what was missing in the debate was Crooked Hillary talking with a southern accent. She's so awesome.

John henry said...

Who the heck is Delaney?

Came in 3rd,only 2 point s behind Warren?

The other seven in low to mid single digits?

I think someone (Russians?) is gaming the poll for our entertainment.

John Henry

Bay Area Guy said...

The Democrat candidates are not serious people. You would never hire them to build your house, or run your business or even coach your kid's baseball team.

They are poseurs and charlatans. They are creatures of DC, who play the game well, but ultimately just crave power.

Think of that cowardly sheriff in Broward County during the Parkland shooting. Not only did he stand down while kids were being shot, he ran the other way. As did two of his sheriff flunkies.

That's what happens when non-serious people are put into positions of responsibility, like these clowns.

Michael K said...

Crooked Hillary talking with a southern accent.

Did anyone else notice Kamala Harris doing that the other day ? Interesting.

I've also noticed that the darker the skin, the more likely to be conservative, Clarence Thomas and Herman Cain being two quick examples. Ben Carson and Ward Connerly being two others.

PM said...

These debates are to see which airplane will crash. A telegenic stress test.

JAORE said...

"Maybe I was half asleep but I could swear Senator Warren used perfect Southern Iroquoian to answer one question."

Boy, THAT will really piss off the Cherokee.

Imagine Melania at a presser. She could spout out four or five languages in her opening statement.

Of course the press would say she was an UnAmerican loser for doing so.

JAORE said...

Q: Why can 7 of the Demo candidates last night NOT post on this blog.

A: The computer rejects the claim they are not a robot.

narciso said...

well the easy on the eyes, the stark raving and the sensible one,


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7186581/Internet-poll-shows-Tulsi-Gabbard-hands-winner-Democratic-debate.html

Yancey Ward said...

I recorded it and watched it last night after it was over, and before reading anything about it. The headline more or less mirrored my own thoughts. I thought Booker did the very best on the night for his nomination chances, but I also thought it probably wasn't enough to get him any traction unless Harris really bombs out tonight.

I also thought Warren started off strong, but then flagged starting late in the first hour. At the end, I started to realize I couldn't remember a single thing she had said that registered beyond the first 1/2 hour. However, she didn't kill herself either, and maybe that counts as a win, but I could easily describe the entire affair as her coasting along.

Castro did stand out, but he is basically a non-entity in my opinion, and nothing he did will likely change that- the first set of primaries will weed him out completely- he won't even make it to South Carolina.

Beto was horrid. His campaign ended last night.

Yancey Ward said...

Of the other candidates, the one that made the most of the night was Gabbard, but she is also a non-entity. It will take a string of such performances to get her beyond Iowa.

AllenS said...

The only Spanish that I know is:

Super Burrito and Hard Shell Tacos. I man doesn't need to know much more than that.

Tina Trent said...

It's always been about flooding the country with illegals.

Maybe more people understand this now.

Tommy Duncan said...

Were "African-American trans Americans" manufactured by Pontiac?

narciso said...

Delaney is sensible on health care, but still believes in a carbon tax.

William said...

There was a sense of serenity and poise that underlined her beauty. She has combat experience and an intuitive feel for how to use air power. She's definitely the one who can break the wheel and lead us all to peace and joy. My money's on Tulsi. She'll give us the ending that GOT should have had.

tim in vermont said...

Is there a Sgt Pepper album cover parody of these people anywere? Because there should be.

wildswan said...

I think Delaney and Tim Ryan tried to get the Dems back to working for the working class and proposing policies that work. But the moderators refused to acknowledge Delaney after his "destroying what works" comment. And I can't remember what Tim Ryan thought would work. So, no. Apparently, we are going to have the Trans-Dems based on the gibberish from the others. There's the Trans-Americans, O'Rorke, Booker and Castro running for El Presidente of Guatemala as well as for American Tyrant. "They just want to come up here and take jobs from Americans so let's build factories down there so they can stay at home and take jobs from Americans." And the Trans-Constitutionalists: On the second day, I'll empty the cages of Central Americans and put Trump voters in them after I take away their money and their guns on the first day by executive order.

Jim at said...

Perhaps they should try a Gong Show format?

I thought they did.

Bilwick said...

If you had actual journalists instead of Democratic softball pitchers at these debates, they might hit the assembled State-shtuppers on the stage with what I call "Sobran's Question." The late libertarian Joseph Sobran liked to ask "liberals" and other statists, "When does it all stop?" That is: When do you stop raising taxes? When do you stop imposing your regulations on the private sector? In short, when do you decide: "Okay, we have now reached the tipping point. Any more statism than this and we fall into tyranny. Let's end it here." As I recall he could never get a straight answer, but I guess he found it fun watching them squirm and try to weasel their way out of answering.

Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...

" All Politics Is Loco "

...For English, please stay on the line.

Big Mike said...

I find it interesting that over on RealClearPolitics there were three articles between yesterday and today claiming that Warren won the night, and I found a link to an article in the Miami Herald that mentioned Warren, Booker, and O'Rourke.

But Drudge's poll showed 40% thought Gabbard won the debate, with Warren coming in at only 12.2% -- a significant difference.

narciso said...

'friends don't let friends' take McClatchy which includes the Herald seriously, that was my fishwrap for quite a number of years,

Fen said...

Think of that cowardly sheriff in Broward County during the Parkland shooting. Not only did he stand down while kids were being shot, he ran the other way. As did two of his sheriff flunkies.

Not only that, but he had the gall to go on national television and call the NRA shameful.

What a piece of shit. And a typical Democrat. Sorry, but if you still identify as a Democrat after everything they've pulled in the last 3 years, something is wrong with you both morally and mentally.

Ingachuck'stoothlessARM said...

Dems are utterly insane liars

including but not limited to (craze)E. Jean :

-AOC faked "grieving" photos
-Network faked a pimple on Gabbard's face (see vid)
-Claiming 'Russia' is behind Gabbard's popularity

Szoszolo said...

I wish candidates were required to do what is always strongly recommended for oral argument before an appellate court: answer "yes, Your Honor" or "no, Your Honor" immediately and then back it up.

Instead, they yammer on with their canned talking points for longer than I can stand to listen and then half the time they still don't answer the question, even after the mods re-ask it.

Of course, if I really had my way, they'd all be hooked up to a machine that produces a not-an-unreasonably-strong electric current and the mods could shock anyone who failed to give an actual answer within two minutes.

Or anyone who starts speaking Spanish.