Grading the first #DemDebate in Detroit
This is a news analysis story grading each candidate in the first night of the second round of Democratic 2020 primary election debates held on July 30th, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan.
Each candidate will be graded by “Meet the Candidates 2020" author Grant Stern and series editor Scott Dworkin in the reverse order in which they spoke for opening and closing arguments starting with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and ending with Montana Governor Steve Bullock.
Last night’s debate featured a boisterous exchange of views between Democrats with big plans and big ideas versus Democrats with status quo visions which they believe are pragmatic.
“Watching last night’s debate stage, it’s possible to speculate that as much as half of the candidates have never heard of the concept of ‘pivoting towards the center’ for a general election,” says Stern.
“I think these candidates need to stop bringing a book to a Twitter war,” says Dworkin. “If they want to beat Trump, they’ll have to say something important in a short amount of time on the stage. Candidates who want to avoid being sharply cut off by CNN’s Jake Tapper need to get to the point, ASAP.”
The Grades
- Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders
“Senator Sanders turned it up a notch last night,” says Dworkin. “Unlike the last debate, Sanders didn’t tone it down and wasn’t afraid to confront opponents on the wings of the stage.” Grade: A-
“This is the Bernie Sanders we all expected in last month’s debate,” says Stern, “and he staked out a strong claim to the space of big ideas in a memorable way, but the senator still defines himself through righteous outrage. Where were his early campaign efforts this year to personalize his candidacy, until his closing statement?” Grade: B+
You can buy our Meet the Candidates 2020 voter’s guide to Senator Sanders on Amazon or Barnes and Noble, which is on sale for only $1.99 in e-book format.
- Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren
“Senator Warren won the debate,” says Dworkin. “She had the best responses to sharp criticisms and the best zingers. Plus she carried herself in a calm and commanding manner.” Grade: A
“Elizabeth Warren’s demeanor was presidential, but her zingers will be the defining memory of this debate,” says Stern. “She flipped the script on moderate opponents, dressed down their timidity and firmly claimed the mantle of the ‘change’ candidate. In presidential politics, a real ‘change’ candidate almost always wins.” Grade: A+
You can buy our Meet the Candidates 2020 voter’s guide to Senator Warren on Amazon or Barnes and Noble, which is on sale for only $1.99 in e-book format.
- South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg
“The mayor had some standout moments, better than most of the candidates.” However, Dworkin says, “he never managed to dominate the conversation as Sanders and Warren did.” Grade: B
“Pete Buttigieg did a much better job of landing great sound bites in the second debate than the first,” says Stern, “his strategy to create “feel-good” moments to share between now and the next debate—without getting attacked—did succeed. Don’t underestimate the effectiveness of his performance or some of his big ideas.” Grade: A-
You can buy our Meet the Candidates 2020 voter’s guide to Senator Buttigieg on Amazon or Barnes and Noble, which is on sale for only $1.99 in e-book format.
- Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke
“It seems like the Texas Congressman is starting to warm up to the debates,” says Dworkin, “But it may be too late. He had some good talking points and looked more poised, yet he doesn’t look like the same, thrilling candidate that we saw against Ted Cruz last year.” Grade: C
“Beto won the most improved candidate award last night,” says Stern, “only because he looked like he got some sleep before this debate. O’Rourke’s explanation that tariffs are punitive taxes on the middle-class is a point worth repeating.” Grade: B-
- Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar
“Senator Klobuchar’s performance last night reminded me of someone from my Midwestern family,” says Dworkin. “I feel like people would vote for her because she projected a stern attitude, along with an honest nature.” Grade: C+
“Amy Klobuchar’s total lack of vocal modulation and visibly suppressed emotion while speaking emotional words might not connect with Democratic primary voters,” says Stern. “Combined with her vocal cheerleading for pessimism, I’m afraid the Minnesota senator is ceding 100% of the excitement she could generate in moderate voters over to Joe Biden.” Grade: D
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper
“Hickenlooper looked like the best candidate on the stage,” says Dworkin, “for the senate race in Colorado against endangered Republican Cory Gardner.” Grade: F
“Governor Hickenlooper made a regional argument to national primary voters,” says Stern, “which is why even his own campaign staffers want him to run for senate. After last night, he assured himself the Democratic nomination to face embattled one-term incumbent Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO).” Grade: D-
- Congressman Tim Ryan
“He had a powerful presence on the stage,” says Dworkin, “but he couldn’t break through against Bernie Sanders. Tim Ryan’s message is something the Democratic party needs to hear, but it won’t generate a massive following after last night either.” Grade: C+
“Congressman Ryan needed to make a national case for his ideologically eclectic positions,” says Stern, “but he reverted to regional politics instead of focusing on Ohio and Michigan voters, which cannot help him win new converts in early states like Iowa, New Hampshire or South Carolina. Getting smacked down by Bernie Sanders did leave a mark.” Grade: D+
- Congressman John Delaney
“At least the Maryland Congressman ended the night by agreeing with Senator Warren’s wealth tax,” says Dworkin, “in a powerful reminder that even wealthy people are in favor of giving more back to our country. But his debate performance will likely be his last.” Grade: F
“Congressman Delaney’s campaign looks like it’s coming to a successful conclusion with lots of airtime last night,” says Stern. “In a debate where one of the most effective put-downs was ‘stop using Republican talking points,’ the former Wall Street CEO Delaney quoted Ronald Reagan during his valedictory remarks. Only Democrats could allow such sharply contrasting viewpoints on one presidential debate stage. A win for the party’s big tent.” Grade: F
- Self-help author Marianne Williamson
“Williamson had some good applause lines last night,” says Dworkin, “in the second-most improved performance over the last debate. I like the positivity she brings to the table, it’s great marketing. However, I don’t see it as a breakout performance amongst likely Democratic primary voters.” Grade: D
“Marianne Williamson demonstrates a keen understanding of making an emotional appeal and could do some serious damage as the surrogate or senior advisor to any Democratic campaign,” says Stern, “but her endorsement to CNN’s Anderson Cooper of Sanders and Warren’s policies tells you everything about how even she views the shelf life of her messaging-centric, policy-free campaign.” Grade: C-
- Montana Governor Steve Bullock
“The governor came out good and swinging for the fences last night,” says Dworkin, “and he made a solid argument to be the choice for Vice President to provide balance on a progressive ticket.” Grade: D+
“Governor Bullock used the most of his prime time lead-off appearance,” says Stern, “if someone missed his strangely awkward closing statement, they might think he won the debate. He might wish to reconsider the decision to pass up a winnable senate race in Montana unless he gets a huge boost this week.” Grade: C-
