Debate settled nothing

Insiders: Democratic debate settled nothing

'Listening to an old white man claim that race relations would be better under his administration than the Obama administration was totally off the wall,' said one Nevada Democrat.

By Steven Shepard

Democratic insiders are divided over the outcome of Thursday night’s primary debate in Milwaukee: Some think Hillary Clinton sounded “silly” in her attacks on Bernie Sanders while others called her performance a “tour de force.”

Members of The POLITICO Caucus – a panel of early-state activists, strategists and operatives – had varied reactions to Thursday’s debate between the two candidates for the Democratic nomination, which aired on PBS affiliates and was simulcast on CNN.

Some Democrats gave the edge to Clinton, who has been the favorite of insiders thus far in the campaign. One South Carolina Democrat said Sanders “looked tired and grumpy” during the debate and credited Clinton -- sort of -- for her discussion of issues confronting the African-American community: “It may not have been genuine, but it came off that way.”

But that same Democrat said Sanders got the better of the debate’s opening exchange, in which Clinton attacked Sanders’ health-care plan as unrealistic and too expensive.

“Single payer still wins in a Democratic primary,” said the South Carolina Democrat, who, like all respondents to the post-debate survey, replied anonymously.

A Democrat in Nevada – the next state that will cast ballots for the party’s nomination – said Sanders did little to build on the momentum of his overwhelming victory in New Hampshire this week, citing the Vermont senator’s criticism of Clinton for soliciting the advice of former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

“The Kissinger stuff was a little strange,” the Nevada Democrat said. “His claims of Hillary firing ‘low blows’ rang hollow; her statements seemed fairly tame compared to what he's leveled against her.”

That same Democrat also had harsh words for Sanders for his response to questions about the concerns of African-Americans.

“Listening to an old white man claim that race relations would be better under his administration than the Obama administration was totally off the wall,” the Democrat said.

And multiple Democrats employed a new pejorative in their post-debate comments: BernieBot, which they say describes Sanders’ consistent refrain of Wall Street critiques.

“When Hillary dropped an ‘Obamabomb’ on Bernie's many criticisms of the President, and then followed it up with the most inspiring closing statement of any of the debates of either party this year, she did real damage,” said a Democrat in New Hampshire, where Sanders romped to victory just 48 hours before the debate. “He also, through his constant repetitions of the same talking points, inspired a new hashtag to compete with Rubio: #BernieBot.”

There were some Sanders fans among the Democrats surveyed after the debate.

Sanders “doesn't just talk to Latinos about immigration and talk education and crime with black voters,” a Nevada Democrat said. “Income inequality touches [everyone]. People think it's a tired line from him, but income inequality really is the common denominator when it comes to the domestic problems our country faces.”

“He is showing that he's not afraid of her and is not going to change his messaging to conform or in response to any attacks,” the Nevada Democrat added.

Few Republicans appeared to have watched Thursday night’s PBS debate, but those that did were more likely to score this round for Sanders.

Even on race relations, Sanders “just comes off as more authentic,” said a South Carolina Republican, who added that Clinton seemed “programmed.”