Here's how I rank the Democratic candidates' debate performances from debate 2, night 1:
10) Steve Bullock: I've heard some praise for the Montana governor's first debate performance. I'm not sure which debate they were watching, for I saw something completely different. The guy spoke like Keanu Reeves' Ted Theodore Logan character from the Bill & Ted movies. He seemed to constantly argue with fellow candidates without disagreeing, so in the end, it felt like he was merely arguing for the sake of arguing. I'm glad Bullock got his chance in the debate ring, but would much rather see him as Bill or Ted's sidekick in their upcoming film than in another debate.
9) John Hickenlooper: Why is this guy still in the race? He reminded me of a World Civilizations college professor of mine, who used to go on these long-winded tangents which appeared to have nothing to do with her opening statement, but after 45 minutes, she found a way to come around full circle. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, John Hickenlooper only had 45 seconds to accomplish this. Ironically, his most memorable line of the night was him repeatedly saying, "Trade wars are for losers," because this guy is a sure-fire loser for the party's nomination.
8) John Delaney: Okay, so he wasn't quite as annoying this time around as he was in the first debate. I don't want to give the guy too much credit, though, because he was still annoying, especially when it came to his seemingly constant spats with Elizabeth Warren. There's just something about this guy I don't like. He's like that mole in the backyard which keeps making its presence known, almost taunting you as it pops its head up when you're trying to capture it. Fortunately, Senator Warren dominated when she played this version of whack-a-mole.
7) Marianne Williamson: I try not to be as hard on Ms. Williamson as many comedians are. She does make some decent points, and she doesn't lack fire or spunk, that's for sure. But, my God, her delivery... Look, I'd love to drink or smoke ganja with this woman, but I don't want her to be my president. As the old woman at the diner in When Harry Met Sally said, "I'll have what she's having."
6) Beto O'Rourke: This guy just isn't ready for the big stage yet. Hopefully he tries again in a few years and improves on the debate stage, but as of now, he's not ready to be someone's running mate, let alone president. He wasn't as bad last night as he was in the first debate, but that's really not saying much. Even last night, the guy seemed tentative, not at all confident, and on guard. From this point forward, assuming he participates in additional debates, he may be better off just speaking in Spanish.
5) Tim Ryan: Among the so-called "moderate" candidates, I think Tim Ryan deserves more attention than he's getting. He's less drunk-sounding than Bullock; less annoying than Delaney; and more direct than Hickenlooper. While he has next to no chance at winning the party's nomination, I'd like to see him appear in at least one more debate. As soon as he does the O-H I-O chant, however, he should be permanently disqualified.
4) Bernie Sanders: Any time you see Bernie at a debate or rally, you pretty much know what you're going to get. Having said that, though, he seemed to come more prepared for last night's debate than he did for the first one. He also appeared to have taken his afternoon nap this time around, which he was sorely needing a month ago. His hands-up response to Hickenlooper was one of the "moments" of the debate for me. I had to laugh. I'm just waiting for that moment to be included in a rap video: "Wave your arms around like you just don't care." Come on, Bernie! You know how to work it! No diggity.
3) Amy Klobuchar: Most of the post-debate talk was about Warren, Sanders, and to a lesser extent, Buttigieg. I thought Klobuchar performed much better last night than she did in her first debate. She was undoubtedly the strongest candidate among the "moderates" and I hope she's able to meet the requirements for a 3rd debate. I am starting to seriously wonder if she has "I'm a Midwesterner, B*tch!" tattooed on her lower back, though. Yes, we know you're a Midwesterner. Congratulations.
2) Elizabeth Warren: Another solid, but not mind-blowing performance by Senator Warren. When asked and allowed, she came all out with her plans. While she tended to not initiate any spats, she owned John Delaney when he came after her. If Delaney had any balls when he walked onto the debate stage, he was surely void of them when walking off it.
1) Pete Buttigieg: He may not have Obama-like charisma, but he has a quiet charisma about him, is witty, smart, and comes prepared. Warren and Sanders seem to be garnering the headlines from last night's debate, but I think Buttigieg put on the best performance. His lines about hypocritical "Christian" conservatives, how Republicans will come after Democrats regardless of their policy ideas, his reflections about being a soldier in war, and what he thought about making reparations to the African-American community were all golden. He probably won't win the party's nomination this time around, but being just 37 years old, I think he will be the Democratic nominee in a presidential election at some point, and I'll proudly vote for him when that time comes. On one hand, it is a shame he probably won't be the Democratic nominee in 2020, though, because it'd likely be thoroughly entertaining to hear Trump try to pronounce Mayor Pete's last name.
10) Steve Bullock: I've heard some praise for the Montana governor's first debate performance. I'm not sure which debate they were watching, for I saw something completely different. The guy spoke like Keanu Reeves' Ted Theodore Logan character from the Bill & Ted movies. He seemed to constantly argue with fellow candidates without disagreeing, so in the end, it felt like he was merely arguing for the sake of arguing. I'm glad Bullock got his chance in the debate ring, but would much rather see him as Bill or Ted's sidekick in their upcoming film than in another debate.
9) John Hickenlooper: Why is this guy still in the race? He reminded me of a World Civilizations college professor of mine, who used to go on these long-winded tangents which appeared to have nothing to do with her opening statement, but after 45 minutes, she found a way to come around full circle. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, John Hickenlooper only had 45 seconds to accomplish this. Ironically, his most memorable line of the night was him repeatedly saying, "Trade wars are for losers," because this guy is a sure-fire loser for the party's nomination.
8) John Delaney: Okay, so he wasn't quite as annoying this time around as he was in the first debate. I don't want to give the guy too much credit, though, because he was still annoying, especially when it came to his seemingly constant spats with Elizabeth Warren. There's just something about this guy I don't like. He's like that mole in the backyard which keeps making its presence known, almost taunting you as it pops its head up when you're trying to capture it. Fortunately, Senator Warren dominated when she played this version of whack-a-mole.
7) Marianne Williamson: I try not to be as hard on Ms. Williamson as many comedians are. She does make some decent points, and she doesn't lack fire or spunk, that's for sure. But, my God, her delivery... Look, I'd love to drink or smoke ganja with this woman, but I don't want her to be my president. As the old woman at the diner in When Harry Met Sally said, "I'll have what she's having."
6) Beto O'Rourke: This guy just isn't ready for the big stage yet. Hopefully he tries again in a few years and improves on the debate stage, but as of now, he's not ready to be someone's running mate, let alone president. He wasn't as bad last night as he was in the first debate, but that's really not saying much. Even last night, the guy seemed tentative, not at all confident, and on guard. From this point forward, assuming he participates in additional debates, he may be better off just speaking in Spanish.
5) Tim Ryan: Among the so-called "moderate" candidates, I think Tim Ryan deserves more attention than he's getting. He's less drunk-sounding than Bullock; less annoying than Delaney; and more direct than Hickenlooper. While he has next to no chance at winning the party's nomination, I'd like to see him appear in at least one more debate. As soon as he does the O-H I-O chant, however, he should be permanently disqualified.
4) Bernie Sanders: Any time you see Bernie at a debate or rally, you pretty much know what you're going to get. Having said that, though, he seemed to come more prepared for last night's debate than he did for the first one. He also appeared to have taken his afternoon nap this time around, which he was sorely needing a month ago. His hands-up response to Hickenlooper was one of the "moments" of the debate for me. I had to laugh. I'm just waiting for that moment to be included in a rap video: "Wave your arms around like you just don't care." Come on, Bernie! You know how to work it! No diggity.
3) Amy Klobuchar: Most of the post-debate talk was about Warren, Sanders, and to a lesser extent, Buttigieg. I thought Klobuchar performed much better last night than she did in her first debate. She was undoubtedly the strongest candidate among the "moderates" and I hope she's able to meet the requirements for a 3rd debate. I am starting to seriously wonder if she has "I'm a Midwesterner, B*tch!" tattooed on her lower back, though. Yes, we know you're a Midwesterner. Congratulations.
2) Elizabeth Warren: Another solid, but not mind-blowing performance by Senator Warren. When asked and allowed, she came all out with her plans. While she tended to not initiate any spats, she owned John Delaney when he came after her. If Delaney had any balls when he walked onto the debate stage, he was surely void of them when walking off it.
1) Pete Buttigieg: He may not have Obama-like charisma, but he has a quiet charisma about him, is witty, smart, and comes prepared. Warren and Sanders seem to be garnering the headlines from last night's debate, but I think Buttigieg put on the best performance. His lines about hypocritical "Christian" conservatives, how Republicans will come after Democrats regardless of their policy ideas, his reflections about being a soldier in war, and what he thought about making reparations to the African-American community were all golden. He probably won't win the party's nomination this time around, but being just 37 years old, I think he will be the Democratic nominee in a presidential election at some point, and I'll proudly vote for him when that time comes. On one hand, it is a shame he probably won't be the Democratic nominee in 2020, though, because it'd likely be thoroughly entertaining to hear Trump try to pronounce Mayor Pete's last name.
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