FEBRUARY 5, 2016
This was one tough debate.
When you have ten candidates on a stage, as the Republicans have had to endure, the energy in a debate can get diffused. But when it’s one-on-one, look out. And that’s just what happened at last night’s MSNBC New Hampshire Democratic debate.
From the start, Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton both came out swinging, and it didn’t let up. The most contentious exchange came early with the question as to whether or not Clinton can call herself a progressive. In the last few days, Sanders has been citing a speech by Clinton in which she stated that she was proud to be considered a “moderate.” He has countered by saying that you can be a moderate or a progressive, but you can’t be both.
As to Sanders’ insinuation that anyone who takes money from Wall Street must be considered “bought,” Clinton exploded: “If you’ve got something to say, say it directly, but you will not find that I ever changed a view or a vote because of any donation I ever received, and I have stood up and I have represented my constituents to the best of my ability.” She then called on Sanders to “end a very artful smear that you and your campaign have been carrying out.”
The “artful smear” line caused Sanders to wince and the audience to soundly boo Clinton, but despite Sanders’ attempts to defend himself, Clinton talked right over him until the next question. It was probably the most dramatic moment in either party’s debates so far. I’m not sure that such a direct attack will help Clinton, but as polls show that she is way behind in New Hampshire, potentially losing to Sanders by 20+ points, she really has nothing to lose by going all in.
That aside, Sanders had a very good first hour, as it primarily focused on income inequality and the influence of Wall Street money in presidential campaigns. Clinton has had weeks to work on this, but she still doesn’t have a satisfactory answer to as to what Wall Street firm Goldman Sachs got in return from Clinton after paying her over $600,000 in speaking fees. “That’s what they offered” just doesn’t cut it as an answer.
But Sanders’ edge dissipated in the second hour when the subject turned to foreign policy. Clinton’s ease in talking about foreign policy details was apparent, as was Sanders’ discomfort. His answer to a question about the presence of American troops in Afghanistan was absolutely baffling, a word salad worthy of Sarah Palin.
Despite the sharp elbows thrown during the debate, it ended on a kumbaya moment between the two candidates, as Clinton asserted that the first person she’ll call for advice after she is inaugurated will be Sanders. For his part, Sanders observed that he respects Clinton and hopes the feeling is mutual, adding that “On our worst days, I think it is fair to say, we are 100 times better than any Republican candidate for President.” It was a nice way to end a contentious evening, but both candidates are shrewd pros — they know that if they get the nomination, they’ll need the support of their rival’s followers to make it to the White House, so making nice-nice now may pay off dividends in November.
Just a word about last night’s moderators. NBC News’ Chuck Todd and MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow were the models of how debate moderators should act. Their questions were penetrating and to the point, then once asked, they stayed out of the way of the candidates, never making themselves part of the story. First rate job to both.
The Republicans debate this Saturday on ABC from Manchester, NH, and Clinton & Sanders next meet up for the Democratic debate on Thursday, Feb. 11 from Milwaukee, WI on PBS. Be there or be square!
