Senators Sanders and Warren occupied the center of the stage, and their progressive policies occupied the majority of the debate. The party’s more moderate candidates got to comment on why those policies won’t work, and some of them even explained why their policies ought to be implemented instead.
The focus on their progressive policies allowed Senators Sanders and Warren to provide further details for the American people. It also forced them to demonstrate their fighting skills, which are a necessary qualification in the job ahead. Democrats need to trust their candidate’s fighting instinct if they’re to defeat President Trump (they’ll especially need them on Twitter, because the next election will be influenced by the candidate’s back-and-forth Twitter instincts).
Viewers also saw a softer side to Senator Klobuchar. The Minnesota Senator genuinely teared up several times throughout the night. Because healthcare is a central issue in American politics, Sen. Klobuchar was able to share, regardless of question topic, several stories about people victimized by the healthcare industry. Each time she shared a story, she teared up. These were not politician tears. They were the tears that come when you feel a connection, in real time, to someone in pain. This wasn’t just a show of empathy; it was empathy itself.
Even Marianne Williamson, who is incredibly and justifiably out of place, had a moment. She put an unexpected focus on the “dark psychic force of the collectivized hatred that this president is bringing up in this country.” This psychic force can be measured, as Beto O’Rourke pointed out, in the increase of hate crimes since the president took office and in the increased activity of white supremacy groups. Most Democrats recognize this force, but only Ms. Williamson offered a plan to take it on.
Her plan, by the way, is “love.”
As a teacher, I loved that Congressman Ryan, in his closing statement, used the words “trauma” and “education” in the same sentence.
As a person with compassion, I loved that Mayor Buttigieg called for a Democratic win so commanding it forces the Republican Party to reject Trumpism forever and unite behind a new crop of Republican candidates who actually possess a social conscience.
As a member of the Vermont Progressive Party who votes in the Democratic Primary, I appreciated the debate. I enjoyed hearing the Democrat’s more moderate candidates respond to Sens. Sanders and Warren’s more progressive policies. In their commentary, I heard some interesting ideas I hope the next president takes into account. Finally, should my preferred progressive candidates drop out of the race before I get to vote for one of them, the debate gave me reasons to prefer one moderate over another.
Most of all, though, it showed me that any of the candidates, including Marianne Williamson, would be a better president than Donald J. Drumpf.