Debate Wrap Up: Half-Baked Ideas, Fully Baked Socialism

Democrats Detailed Their Radical, Costly, And Unpopular Proposals Including Tax Hikes On The Middle Class, Decriminalizing Illegal Immigration, Gun Control, And The Government Funding Of Abortion

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The Facts:

THE DEMOCRAT DEBATES BROUGHT US ALL THESE CRAZY PROPOSALS AND POLICIES

Decriminalizing Illegal Immigration : A majority of candidates endorsed decriminalizing illegal immigration including Sens. Booker, Klobuchar, Gillibrand, Harris, and Sanders; Reps. Castro, Ryan, and Swalwell and Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

Health Care For Illegal Immigrants : All ten candidates from night two of the debate, including former Vice President Joe Biden, Sens. Harris and Booker and Mayor Pete Buttigieg confirmed that their health care plans would cover health insurance for illegal immigrants.

Tax Hikes : Sen. Bernie Sanders conceded his plans for government-run health care, which many Democrats support, would raise taxes on middle class families.

Government Run Health Care And The Abolition Of Private Insurance: All twenty of the Democratic candidates supported government run health care in some capacity with Sens. Warren, Harris and Sanders saying they would eliminate private insurance in favor of a government run health care system.

Government Funding Of Abortion : Sens. Bernie Sanders and Kirsten Gillibrand came out in support of government funded abortion while Senator Elizabeth Warren refused to say if she supported any restrictions on abortion at all.

Gun Control : Sens. Booker, Sanders, Harris and Rep. Swalwell advocated for various forms of gun control including requiring licenses to buy and own fire arms, and banning the sale and distribution of various weapons.

Iran Nuclear Deal: Democrat candidates overwhelmingly raised their hands in support of Obama's flawed Iran nuclear deal despite its failure to halt Iran's nuclear capacity or regional provocations.

THE TOP TIER CANDIDATES STRUGGLED IN THE FIRST DEMOCRAT DEBATE AS THEY TRIPPED OVER THEMSELVES TO OUTFLANK EACH OTHER ON THE LEFT

The candidates " arms race to the left " dominated both debates as candidates rushed to outflank each other on the left, a move that could alienate swing voters crucial to unseating President Trump.

Former Vice President Joe Biden: The biggest loser from the debates, Biden's night went poorly to say the least as he got " slammed " on his record, age and ideology.

Sen. Bernie Sanders: Disappeared for a "large portion" of the debate, and when he did speak he was " loud " rather than passionate, " repetitive " rather than committed.

Sanders was also laughed at by the audience after moderator Rachael Maddow fact-checked him in real time.

Former Rep. Beto O'Rourke: Beto looked " ill " and " nervous " during Wednesday's debate, preforming so badly CNN pronounced him " done ."'

Sen. Elizabeth Warren: " Faded down the stretch " on Wednesday night allowing third-tier candidates to outshine her.

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LAST NIGHT, DEMOCRATS WENT FULL SOCIALISM AND OFFERED EVERYTHING INCLUDING TAX HIKES, THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, TAX-PAYER FUNDED ABORTIONS, AND THE ELIMINATION OF PRIVATE HEALTH CARE

Numerous Democrats During The Debate Said They Were For Decriminalizing Immigration

During The Democrat Primary Debate On June 27, 2019, Seven Out Of The Ten Candidates Including Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN), Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), And Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) Supported Decriminalizing Illegally Crossing The Border. "Seven out of the 10 candidates on stage during the second night responded to Castro's call, and raised their hand in support of decriminalization of border crossings, including Harris, Sanders and Buttigieg." ( Politico , 06/28/19)

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Buttigieg Called Criminalizing Illegal Immigration "Dead Wrong." JOSE DIAZ-BALART: "We had a very spirited debate on this stage last night on the topic of decriminalization of the border. If-if you would be so kind raise your hand if you think it should be a civil offense rather than a crime to cross the border without documentation? Can we keep the hands up so we can see them?" MAYOR PETE BUTTIGIEG (D-IN): "Let's remember that's not just a theoretical exercise, that criminalization that is the basis for family separation. You do away with that it is no longer possible. Of course it wouldn't be possible anyway in my presidency because it is dead wrong." ( Democrat Primary Debates , 06/27/19)

Former Vice President Joe Biden Said Someone Who Is Here Without Documents Should Not Be The Focus Of Deportation. JOSE DIAZ-BALART: "A 15-second, if you could, if you wish to answer, should someone who is here without documents, and that is his only offense, should that person be deported?" FORMER VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: "That person should not be the focus of deportation. We should fundamentally change the way we deal with things." ( Democrat Primary Debates , 06/27/19)

During The June 26, 2019 Debate, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Said She Was "Happy To Look At Decriminalizing Border Crossings. SEN. AMY KLOBUCHAR (D-MN): "Senator Klobuchar let's talk about what Secretary Castro just said." KLOBUCHAR: "Yes." MSNBC's SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: "He wants to no longer have it be a crime to illegally cross the border. Do you support that? Do you think it should be a civil offense only? And if so, do you worry about potentially incentivizing people to come here?" KLOBUCHAR: "Immigrants, they do not diminish America. They are in America and I am happy to look at his proposal but I do think you want to make sure that you have provisions in place that allow you to go after traffickers and allow you to go after people who are violating the law." ( Democrat Primary Debates , 06/26/19)

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Former Rep. Julian Castro (D-TX) And Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) Both Agreed That The U.S. Should Decriminalize The Act Of Crossing The Border Illegally. FORMER REP. JULIAN CASTRO (D-TX): "If I might very briefly-and this is an important point. My plan and I'm glad to see that Senator Booker, Senator Warren and Governor Inslee agree with me on this-my plan also includes getting red-getting rid of Section 1325 of Immigration Nationality Act. To go back to the way we used to treat this-when somebody comes across the border not to criminalize desperation. To treat that as a civil violation. And-and here is why it's important-we see all of this horrendous family separation they use that law Section 1325 to justify under the law separating little children from their families." SEN. CORY BOOKER (D-NJ): "Jose you were not asked-" CASTRO: "So I challenge every single candidate on this stage to support the repeal of Section 1325." BOOKER: "I already have." MSNBC's JOSE DIAZ BALART: "30 seconds." BOOKER: "As my friend here said I agree with him on that issue but folks should understand that the separation of children from families doesn't just go on at our border." ( Democrat Primary Debates , 06/26/19)

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Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) Said He Agreed With Secretary Castro As Well That It Should Not Be A Crime To Illegally Cross The Border. GUTHRIE: "That's time, thank you. Congressman Ryan, same question. Should it be a crime to illegally cross the border or should it be a civil offense only?" REP. TIM RYAN (D-OH): "Well I-I agree with Secretary Castro. I think there are other provisions in the law that will allow you to prosecute people for coming over here if they are dealing in drugs and other things. That is already established in the law." ( Democrat Primary Debates , 06/26/19)

All Ten Candidates From Night Two Of The Debate Confirmed That Their Health Care Plans Would Cover Health Insurance For Illegal Immigrants

During The Second Democratic Debate, Every Single One Of The Ten Candidates Raised Their Hands In Support Of Their Health Care Plans Covering Illegal Immigrants. "Every single Democratic presidential candidate on stage in Thursday night's debate raised their hand when asked if their health care plans would include coverage for undocumented immigrants, a shift left on a hot-button issue for a number of front-running candidates." ( Vice , 6/27/19)

Democrats Conceded ,That Their Plans Will Raise Taxes On The Middle-Class

If You Tuned Into The Democratic Debates To Hear "What The Candidates Had To Offer On Tax Policy, You Were Likely Disappointed." "If you tuned in during the first night of the Democratic debates to hear what the candidates had to offer on tax policy, you were likely disappointed." ( Forbes , 6/27/19)

According To Sanders The Democrats Have A "New Vision For America." "'We have a new vision for America,' continued the senator, 'under that system, by the way, the vast majority of the people in this country will be paying less than the do right now.'" ( The Observer , 6/27/19)

During This Week's Debates, Sanders Conceded That His Plans "To Pay For Universal Health Care Under His Administration" Would Be To "Raise Taxes On Middle Class Families." "Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Thursday conceded he would raise taxes on middle class families to pay for universal health care under his administration." ( The Observer , 6/27/19)

Sanders Made The "Revelation" Early On During The Debates While Citing His Other "Ambitious Programs He Claimed Would Lower The Financial Burdens Of Working Americans, Including Free College, Student Debt Forgiveness And Universal Health Care." "Sanders made the revelation early on in the evening after citing other ambitious programs he claimed would lower the financial burdens of working Americans, including free college, student debt forgiveness and universal health care ." ( The Observer , 6/27/19)

New York's Bill de Blasio Even Went On To Claim That, As Democrats, "We're Supposed To Be For A 70 Percent Tax Rate On The Wealthy." "New York Mayor Bill DiBlasio [sic] offered a nod towards taxes - and perhaps a jab at O'Rourke - in his statement on income inequality that " we're supposed to be for a 70 percent tax rate on the wealthy ."" ( Forbes , 6/27/19)

All Twenty Of The Democrat Candidates Showed Their Support For Government-Run Health Care During The First Democrat Debates With Sens. Warren, Harris And Sanders Saying They Would Eliminate Private Insurance In Favor Of A Government Run Health Care System

During The First Democrat Debates Of The 2020 Elections, It Became Apparent That Support The Implementation Of A Government Run, Single Payer System Of Health Care Is The "Default Position Of The Democratic Party's Top Presidential Hopefuls" As All Candidates Are In Favor Of The Policy. "But for all the sharp and sometimes shout-y exchanges, there was one thing that no one on the stage disputed: the end goal. Universal coverage in the United States is now the default position of the Democratic Party's top presidential hopefuls -- even for those whose actual plans may not achieve it." ( CNN , 6/28/19)

Among The 20 Candidates Who Took The Stage, Warren, De Blasio, Sanders, And Harris Said They Would Abolish Private Insurance In Favor Of A Government Run Health Care System. "Sens. Bernie Sanders and Kamala Harris raised their hands at the second night of the first Democratic presidential debate to declare they wanted to abolish private health insurance, and for the next 20 minutes, some of the other candidates on stage tried to talk them out of it. It was a repeat of a question moderators asked the first night, when Sen. Elizabeth Warren and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said they wanted to end private coverage." ( Vox , 6/27/19)

The Democrats' Rhetoric Ignores The Fact That "Solid Majorities Of Americans Rate The Coverage (69%) And Quality (80%) Of The Health Care They Personally Receive As 'Excellent' Or 'Good.'" "As the incoming Congress prepares to debate further changes to the U.S. healthcare system, solid majorities of Americans rate the coverage (69%) and quality (80%) of the healthcare they personally receive as "excellent" or "good." ( Gallup , 12/7/18)

Numerous Democrats Supported Government Funding Of Abortions

During The Debate, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Refused To Say If She Supported Any Restrictions On Abortion. GUTHRIE: "Senator Warren, would you put limits-any limits on abortion?" SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN (D-MA): "I would make certain that every woman has access to the full range of reproductive health care services and that includes birth control, it includes abortion, it includes everything for a woman. And, I want to add on that-it's not enough for us to expect the courts to protect us. Forty-seven years ago Roe versus Wade was decided and we've all looked to the courts all that time. As state after state has undermined Roe, has put in exceptions has come right up to the age of taking away protection." GUTHRIE: "Your time is up, Senator." WARREN: "We now have an America where most people support Roe versus Wade. We need to make that federal law." ( Democrat Primary Debates , 06/26/19)

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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) Embraced The Government Funding Of Abortion And Said That His Medicare For All Plan Guarantees Every Woman In This country The Right To Have An Abortion. RACHEL MADDOW: "I'm going to give you 10 additional seconds because (INAUDIBLE) what if the court has already overturned Roe and Roe is gone? All of the things you have described would be to try to preserve Roe. If Roe was gone what could you do as president to preserve abortion rights? SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT): "Well, first of all let me tell you this-didn't come up yet but let's face this-Medicare for All guarantees every woman in this country the right to have an abortion if she wants it." ( Democrat Primary Debates , 06/27/19)

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If There Was Any Doubt That Gun Control Would Be An Issue During The 2020 Democratic Primaries, These Debates Put That To Rest

If There Was Any Doubt That Gun Control Would Be A Big Issue In The 2020 Democratic Primary, "The First Round Of Debates Helped Put That To Rest." "If there was any doubt that gun control will be a big issue in the 2020 Democratic primary, the first round of debates helped put that to rest." German Lopez, "The Democratic Debate's Focus On Guns Shows The Influence Of Parkland," Vox , 6/26/19)

Over 15 Minutes Of The First Debate Was Dedicated To Gun Control, And Candidates Spoke "Extensively About The Issue." "For 15 minutes, led with a question by moderator Chuck Todd referencing the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the candidates spoke extensively about gun control. The candidates even tried to one-up each other - Cory Booker, for one, brought up his plan to require a license to buy and own a firearm." ( Vox , 6/26/19)

With Candidates Trying To "One-Up Each Other" - Booker "Brought Up His Plan To Require A License To Buy And Own A Firearm." "The candidates even tried to one-up each other - Cory Booker, for one, brought up his plan to require a license to buy and own a firearm." ( Vox , 6/26/19)

During The Second Night Of The First Democratic Primary Debates, California Congressman Eric Swalwell "Advocated For His Proposal To Buy Back Every Assault Weapon In The United States." "California Congressman Eric Swalwell passionately advocated for his proposal to buy back every assault weapon in the United States during the second night of the first Democratic primary debates, invoking recent mass shootings and how his role as a parent influences his views on gun control." ( ABC , 6/27/19)

Sanders Also Claimed That He Would "Ban The Sale And Distribution" Of Assault Weapons, And After Being Pressed On The Issue Announced That He Would Support Gun Buy Backs "If The Government Wants To Do That." "Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said the United States is experiencing 'a gun crisis.' 'I believe that what we need is comprehensive gun legislation that among other things provides universal background [checks],' and ends the 'gun show loophole,' he said. Sanders added he would 'ban the sale and distribution' of assault weapons, saying they are weapons for the military, and when repeatedly asked by Swalwell if he would buy them back, Sanders said, 'If the government wants to do that, if the people want to bring them back, yes.'" ( ABC , 6/27/19)

Harris Said That Swalwell's Gun Buy Back Idea Was "Great." "Fellow Californian Kamala Harris said Swalwell's idea was 'great,' but the problem is that Congress hasn't 'had the courage to act.'" ( ABC , 6/27/19)

Biden Added That He Was The Only Person On The Stage Who Had Actually "Beaten The NRA Nationally," But Also Claimed That The Organization Wasn't The "Enemy." "Former Vice President Joe Biden said he's 'the only person that's beaten the NRA nationally,' but also said that organization isn't the enemy here." ( ABC , 6/27/19)

During This Week's Debates Democratic Candidates Overwhelmingly Emphasized Their Ambitions To Renegotiate The Failed Iran Nuclear Deal

During The First Night's Debate, NBC's Lester Holt Asked Candidates To "Raise Their Hands If, As President, They Would Rejoin The 2015 Nuclear Deal As Originally Negotiated." "NBC's Lester Holt asked the candidates to raise their hands if, as president, they would rejoin the 2015 nuclear deal as originally negotiated. Every candidate on the stage raised their hand - except Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)." ( Vox , 6/26/19)

Every Candidate "On The Stage," Except Booker, Raised Their Hand In Support Of The Originally Negotiated Iran Nuclear Deal. "Every candidate on the stage raised their hand - except Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)." ( Vox , 6/26/19)

• Yet, In 2015, Booker Endorsed President Obama's Nuclear Deal With Iran, And "Thwarted A Republican-Backed Resolution Of Disapproval" For The Agreement. "Senator Cory A. Booker, Democrat of New Jersey, endorsed President Obama's nuclear agreement with Iran on Thursday, padding support for the accord, which already has enough votes in the Senate to thwart a Republican-backed resolution of disapproval." ( The New York Times , 9/3/15)

Under The Nuclear Agreement, Iran Was Permitted To Enrich Uranium And Maintain A 3.67 Percent Uranium Level At Its Natanz Facility. "The deal reduces the number of Iranian centrifuges by two-thirds. It places bans on enrichment at key facilities, and limits uranium research and development to the Natanz facility. The deal caps uranium enrichment at 3.67 percent and limits the stockpile to 300 kg, all for 15 years." ( CNN , 7/14/15)

Under The Agreement, There Was A Breakout Time - The Time Needed To Enrich Enough Uranium For A Bomb - Of Only One Year. "In some recent remarks, Clinton has also hinted at a tougher view than the one that prevailed in Vienna, including her belief that Iran's 'breakout' period - the time it would take to enrich enough uranium for a bomb - should be longer than one year. Tuesday's agreement imposes a breakout time of only one year." ( Politico , 7/14/15)

• In August 2015, President Obama Conceded That 15 Years From Now, Iran's Nuclear Breakout Time "Shrinks Back" To A Mere "Matter Of Months." NPR'S STEVE INSKEEP: "I just want to be absolutely clear on this: 15 years from now, as some provisions expire, what is Iran's breakout time going to be?" PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: "Well, it shrinks back down to roughly where it is now." INSKEEP: "Which is close to zero?" OBAMA: "Well, which is a matter of months. Because keep in mind that theoretical breakout times don't match up with practical breakout times." (NPR Interview With Barack Obama, Washington D.C., 8/10/15)
• "American Officials Also Acknowledged That After The First Decade, The Breakout Time Would Begin To Shrink." "But American officials also acknowledged that after the first decade, the breakout time would begin to shrink. It was unclear how rapidly, because Iran's longer-term plans to expand its enrichment capability will be kept confidential." ( The New York Times , 7/14/15)

Secretary Of State Mike Pompeo On June 23: Iran Has "For Four Decades Conducted Assassination Campaigns In Europe, Conducted Terrorist Activity, Has Attempted To Influence More Than Four Capitals Throughout The Middle East . "They understand that it's the Islamic Republic of Iran that now has for four decades conducted assassination campaigns in Europe, conducted terrorist activity, has attempted to influence now more than four capitals throughout the Middle East. The Iranian nation has been a series of bad actors. Their leadership has taken them in a direction that their people surely do not want. So how we will respond to any particular act that the Islamic Republic of Iran takes, the President will decide when we get there." ( Department Of State , 06/24/19)

DEMOCRATS "ARMS RACE TO THE LEFT" DOMINATED CONVERSATION AROUND THE DEBATES, BUT THERE WAS STILL PLENTY OF TIME TO COVER FLOPS FROM BERNIE, BIDEN AND MORE

On Both Nights, Candidates Scrambled To Outflank Each Other On The Left, Efforts That Could Alienate Swing Voters Critical If Any Nominee Hopes To Unseat Trump

The Washington Post Headline: "Democratic Presidential Candidates Engage In 'Arms Race To The Left' In First Debate." ( The Washington Post , 6/27/19)

Politico : "Democrats Lead With Their Left." ( Politico , 6/27/19)

Time Headline: "The First Debate Showed How Far To The Left Democrats Have Moved." ( Time , 6/27/19)

NBC: Democrats Efforts To Outflank Each Other On The Left Could Alienate Swing Voters Important To Their Chanced Against President Trump. "Their jockeying, punctuated by efforts to outflank each other to the political left and conduct a mid-debate Spanish-speaking contest, could alienate swing voters important to the party's chances against Trump in November 2020." ( NBC News , 6/27/19)

The Candidates Spend The "Vast Majority" Of The Debate Infighting And Trying To Get To One Another's Left. "We expected this debate to be largely about Trump, with Biden, Harris and others fighting among themselves and trying to get to one another's left." ( The Washington Post , 6/28/19)

Bernie Sanders Socialist Policies "Dominated The Conversation" During The Debates . "During the 2016 campaign, Bernie Sanders was seen by the Democratic establishment as a wild-eyed radical whose 'democratic socialism' could never win with the American public. In the first debate of the 2020 cycle, Bernie's policies dominated the conversation." ( Vox , 6/28/19)

Frontrunner Joe Biden Lost Big On Thursday Night, Getting "Slammed" And Throwing His Campaign Into "Turmoil"

Politico Headline: "Joe Biden Gets Slammed." ( Politico , 6/28/19)

CNN Headline: "Joe Biden Throws Own Campaign Into Turmoil After Harris Attacks His Record On Race" ( CNN , 6/28/19)

Vox Founder Ezra Klein Pointed Out A "Huge Problem" With Biden's Candidacy, "He's Running Using Obama As A Shield." "To take a step back on this, Biden's Iraq answer showed a huge problem with his candidacy. He's not running as Obama's heir. He's running using Obama as a shield. He's not the candidate on stage who sounds most like Obama, he's the candidate hiding behind him." ( Twitter Feed , 6/27/19)

The Washington Post Named Biden A Loser Of The First Debate, The Result Of His Frontrunner Status And Long Record Of Questionable Policies "Wasn't Great." "Losers Former vice president Joe Biden: We knew the former vice president was going to be attacked in this debate, given that he leads in the polls. We also knew his opponents had plenty to work with and that he would face tough questions about his lengthy period in public life. The combined result wasn't great." ( The Washington Post , 6/28/19)

CNN's Chris Cillizza On Biden's Debate Performance: "Well, That Went Poorly." "Joe Biden: Well, that went poorly. From the get-go, Biden seemed too rigidly attached to his stump speech and his talking points. He struggled to fit his points into the 60-second time limit. He got defensive -- as we predicted -- when Harris pushed him on his comments about segregationist Sen. James Eastland and his opposition to school busing and quite clearly lost the back and forth. Badly." ( CNN , 6/28/18)

Biden "Showed How Fragile His Lead Has Become As His Record, His Age And His Ideology Came Under Repeated Attack." "Former vice president Joe Biden, whose standing atop the polls has been the defining characteristic of the first months of the primary, showed how fragile his lead has become as his record, his age and his ideology came under repeated attack in the second session." ( The Washington Post , 6/28/19)

Politico: Biden's Response To The "Barrage" Of Criticism Was Inconsistent, At Time He "Seemed To Shrink On The Crowded Stage, Coming Off As Tired In His Manner, Soggy In Words And Argument In Ways That Sometimes Unintentionally Reinforced The Criticism." "Biden's response to the barrage was decidedly uneven. At his best, he gave spirited and plausible answers even while stumbling over a word here or there, inviting sympathizers to view him as he views himself - someone who's made honest mistakes, but has proven himself one of the good guys over a long public life, fighting for civil rights and other progressive values in many arenas or over many years. At his worst, the frontrunner seemed to shrink on the crowded stage, coming off as tired in his manner, soggy in words and argument in ways that sometimes unintentionally reinforced the criticism." ( Politico , 6/28/19)

The Hill: "Biden Struggled In The Debate." "Biden struggled in the debate, taking fire from rivals, including Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) in the night's most notable moment." ( The Hill , 6/28/19)

Former Adviser To President Obama David Axelrod Said It Was A Tough Night For Biden, He Seemed "Confused," "Defensive," "Mired In The Past." DAVID AXELROD: "I think it was a tougher night for the most seasoned candidates on the platform, For Vice President Biden." ANDERSON COOPER: "Why do you think that was?" AXELROD: "Because they seemed like part of the past rather than the future. at times the Vice President seemed somewhat confused to me in handling some of the questions and following some of the action he seemed a bit defensive. So then Bernie Sanders, we joked earlier, he might have been a hologram because a lot of what we heard tonight, we've heard many, many times before. So I think they seemed a little but mired in the past." (CNN's "Live" 6/27/19)

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Bernie Sanders Disappeared For Large Portions Of The Debate And Sounded One Dimensional And Repetitive When He Did Speak

Sanders "Disappeared For A Large Portion Of The Debate" And Emulated Elizabeth Warren's "Unspectacular Performance. "Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.): Yes, he disappeared for a large portion of the debate as others squabbled. But he stayed on his message and did nothing to alienate his supporters. He also avoided the kind of attacks Biden got. If Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) was unspectacular but successful on Wednesday, Sanders seemed to emulate that, even as there was considerably more fighting going on around him." ( The Washington Post , 6/28/19)

CNN's Chris Cillizza Called Sanders' Debate Performance "Loud" Rather Than Passionate, "Repetitive" Rather Than Committed And "Even Worse, There Were Large Periods Of The Debate Where Sanders Seemed To Just Plain Disappear." "Bernie Sanders: The Vermont senator learned a tough lesson Thursday night: Debating nine people as one of the frontrunners for the nomination is a very different beast than debating a single, establishment frontrunner when you are the freewheeling insurgent. Rather than passionate, Sanders came off as just plain loud. Rather than committed, he came across as repetitive. And, even worse, there were large periods of the debate where Sanders seemed to just plain disappear." ( CNN , 6/28/18)

Sanders Was Even Laughed At By The Audience After He Was Fact Checked Live By Moderator Rachel Maddow. "Sanders' worst -- and most damning -- moment? Moderator Rachel Maddow read him a quote of his about guns. Sanders responded: 'That's a mischaracterization.' Maddow retorted: "It's a quote of yours." The audience laughed -- at Sanders. Oomph." ( CNN , 6/28/18)

Beto O'Rourke's Debate Was So Disastrous, CNN Pronounced Him "Done"

The Texas Tribune Headline: "Beto O'Rourke Has Tough Outing In 2020 Debate Debut." ( The Texas Tribune , 6/27/19)

The New Yorker : "Beto Is in Over His Head." ( The New Yorker , 6/26/19)

CNN's Van Jones On Beto: "He's Done." "Jones called out the former Texas congressman for not being able to capture the same level of excitement for his presidential bid as he did in his 2018 Senate run against Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas). 'I think he's done because there was such hope and expectation about him,' Jones said on CNN's 'Anderson Cooper 360' during a panel discussion following the debate hosted by NBC in Miami. '[Wednesday's debate] was really the night to remind people why he was this incredible rising star, and on the issue he should have at least been fluent on, he got his butt kicked hard,' he added." ( The Hill , 6/27/19)

Beto Was Fact-Checked On The Very First Question Of The Debate And "It Didn't Get Easier From There" As He Found Himself In The Hot Seat "More Than Any Of The Nine Other Candidates Onstage." "On the first question of the first Democratic presidential primary debate, Beto O'Rourke got dinged by moderators for not giving a straight answer. It didn't get easier from there. It was tough sledding for the former El Paso congressman here Wednesday night, as he found himself in the hot seat more than any of the nine other candidates onstage. He drew sharp jabs from two rivals - most notably fellow Texan Julián Castro - and they turned the knife afterward, looking to undercut O'Rourke on two issues front and center in the primary: immigration and health care." ( The Texas Tribune , 6/27/19)

Warren Faded Down The Stretch On Wednesday Night Allowing Third-Tier Candidates To Outshine Her

Warren "Receded Into The Background" During The Second Half Of The Debate Remaining In The Background During The Debates On Immigration And Climate Change. "But after that, she receded into the background. She wasn't called on as frequently in the final hour, and she wasn't at the forefront of the fights on immigration and climate change. Warren's diminished role gave the other candidates more time and attention. But it also made the debate feel a little junior-varsity, especially with Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris and Sanders waiting in the wings on Thursday night." ( Politico , 6/27/19)

Though Warren Avoided The Worst Outcome "At Times She Faded From The Debate Completely" Giving Third-Tier Candidate A Chance To Shine. "That didn't happen. Warren did avoid the worst outcome, which would have been a haymaker landing on her from a second-tier candidate. But her workmanlike performance - at times she faded from the debate completely - gave the second- and third-tier candidates a chance to shine (which probably doesn't affect her momentum), and handed the first-tier candidates on Day 2 all the buzz (which might affect her momentum)." ( Real Clear Politics , 6/27/19)

CNN'S Nia-Malika Henderson Said That Warren "Faded Down The Stretch" And That "She Didn't Fight Much." HENDERSON: "What I did think was odd about Warren's performance was she faded down the stretch. It was like, is Warren still on the stage? She talks about fighting, right? I mean, she uses the word fighting, that she has the courage to go after Donald Trump, to go after big businesses, to go after pharmaceutical companies, but in this debate, she didn't fight much to get a word in edgewise." ( CNN , 6/26/19)

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