Be Anything, But Don’t Be Boring
by Reed Galen
Running for President of the United States is a crucible. The most difficult, degrading, unwinding political process to which an American can subject themselves. And after Wednesday night’s Democratic primary debate in Atlanta, it shows.
Given the current occupant of the White House, it’s easy to understand why the 10 candidates on stage want to display a fiery resolve, a gravitas worthy of the office and seriousness about both their experience and their plans to solve America. But wow — what a snoozefest.
While there were a few dust-ups between the candidates, most of the field suffered from what I’ll call Pawlenty-itis. The four moderators (who did a pretty good job) repeatedly served up batting practice pitches to the contestants. Almost to a person, they refused to take the bait. The more serious observers offer golf claps and quiet praise for the candidates staying above the fray, or taking on their opponents in a more delicate way.
They were playing beanbag. Politics a’int beanbag.
Presidential primary contests are important for two reasons. First, they allow voters to observe candidates on stage, in the field, one-on-one and through the media lens, listen to their pitches and ultimately make a determination on who is best prepared to carry the party’s banner during the fall.
Second, primaries both the candidate and their campaign for what will ultimately be a high-speed and bruising General Election contest — in this case against Donald Trump, the playground bully to beat them all. At some point next spring, a presumptive nominee will emerge from this bloated field. Having been handled with kid gloves prior to their coronation will not provide the toughening up a one-on-one contest with Trump will require.
The interplay between the candidates also allows us a preview (albeit brief) to see how the candidates perform on their feet. In their first debate, Senator Kamala Harris unexpectedly jabbed former Vice President Joe Biden on the issue of school busing. Biden, unprepared for the hit, turned, faced Harris, stammered for a moment but ultimately recovered. Today, Biden leads many national surveys and is very much in the hunt for the nomination.
However, Senator Harris is an object lesson in why these debates can be so impactful. Last summer, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, from over in left field, went after Harris on her criminal justice record during her time as San Francisco District Attorney and California Attorney General. Harris refused to look at her assailant and was unable to properly process the attack and respond. When Senator Harris’ campaign ends, history will look back at that moment, in that debate, as the beginning of her precipitous decline.
Being President of the United States is a four year, 24 hour per day job — much of spent dealing with the myriad issues that are not within the chief executive’s control. Debate performance is an early indicator of how a candidate will perform when the crucible is not a debate stage in Atlanta, but the Oval Office.
Last point on this: Regardless of how one feels about President Donald Trump, he is the most successful carnival barker in modern American political history. His judgement is poor. He is both intellectually lazy and dishonest. But Trump knows how to fire up his people, to keep the media (and many voters) hooked on the freak show and to get inside the head of his political opponent. Whether we like it or not (and there is plenty to dislike about this devolution) boring candidates rarely win.
If every answer to every question is going to be a canned line about the 726 bills you passed in the Senate, stay at home. Americans would like, but don’t always require, a relatable human being. The Democratic field needs to individually decide whether they’re going to be charismatic or compelling. You don’t have to be both, but you can’t be neither.
Quick Debate Rankings (based on no science whatsoever.)
Biden: B There’s a discount rate on Joe-isms. Fair? See JFK on fairness.
Booker: B+ He was compelling, thoughtful and utilized his time and setting well.
Buttigieg: B+ He’s got momentum on his side and none of his opponents were willing to strip the bark off him.
Gabbard: Z Her participation is fascinating — like a 26 car pile up is fascinating. Her outlook is odious.
Harris: B- Better than previous performances but not enough to stop the slide or staunch the bleeding.
Klobuchar: C Her excellent line regarding House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was one of the stars of the night but relying too much on “bills I’ve sponsored” is a classic senator’s shortcoming.
Sanders: C They need to change the tape in Bernie. This one has been playing for four years.
Steyer: D Term limits is process, not vision. His line about declaring a national emergency on his first day in office was scary. I wish he’d leave us all alone.
Warren: B- The beneficiary of early questions and attention that played well to her plans. She continues to say Republicans agree with her plans. They don’t. Every time a new issue is raised, she spends another trillion dollars. There’s a pie in the sky element to the “I’ve got a plan for that” campaign that needs a quick injection of reality.
Yang: B+ Yang actually looks like he enjoys being on stage, appears to be a real human being, and is willing to show humor in his performance. Given that he waited a full half-hour to get any attention, he did the best he could with what he was given.
Reed Galen is an independent political strategist. He left the GOP in 2016 following the nomination of Donald Trump. He previously worked for President George W. Bush, Senator John McCain and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Follow him on Twitter @reedgalen.
