Debate notes and suggestions:

[MineralMan]

Bernie: Stop pointing and making jerky motions during your time. Find some new gestures.
Warren: Smile from time to time. Speak more slowly and use fewer words, but make those words count.

That's it. the rest of the candidates don't matter much.

[True Dough]

1. "That's it. the rest of the candidates don't matter much."

How cavalier of you.

[crazytown]

2. Pete is doing a lot of work on the ground in IA, NH

Providing a candidate has the money to last the distance, results talk, bullsht walks.

[True Dough]

4. Pete was the #1 fundraiser in Q2

He definitely has hurdles to overcome -- namely courting the AA vote -- but he's not out of this yet, not by a long shot.

[crazytown]

5. I agree.

That was the point I was making ... poorly I guess.

[True Dough]

6. I wasn't attacking!

Just reinforcing. Your point was valid and appreciated!

[crazytown]

7. On Pete and the AA vote, racism and justice

I think he is going though the process of knowing something intellectually (which he always has), feeling it (which is what I am seeing today) and having it as part of himself. Christian faith and racial justice is a powerful combination, and will be for him in future I think, but probably not soon enough for this contest. We will see.

[True Dough]

8. I wouldn't bet my house on Pete becoming president

I'm hopeful, of course, but it will take time for Pete to build standing within the AA community. Either way, I'm so glad to have him among the Dem candidates and I have full confidence he WILL play a prominent role in America's future, quite possibly as POTUS sometime in the future.

[MineralMan]

10. Yes, indeed. I am being cavalier, and posting very briefly.

That was my opinion. You might have a different one.

[Raven123]

3. Interesting comment. Smile? So you think Bernie smiled enough?

Actually, I almost agree with you. I think the anecdotes chewed up valuable time, that EW could have used to articulate her plans better. She sounded too scripted. There is a difference between being prepared and scripted. I believe I heard her voice trying to get in on discussions, and I think she should have taken a breather now and again.

On the other hand, Delaney was as annoying as heck and perhaps I would have wanted to jump on his nonstop “you’re too progressive” statements.

[MineralMan]

9. Bernie almost never smiles.

Last edited Wed Jul 31, 2019, 03:26 PM - Edit history (1)

He has two or three gestures he uses, over and over again, though. Emphatic gestures, like shaking his pointed finger. He needs more range of gestures. EW is very serious and rather erudite. She sounds like what she is - a law professor. That's great, but she speaks very quickly and rarely engages her human side in situations like debates.

[Raven123]

11. Actually, she too is a law school professor, among other things

I do see your point. These forums aren’t really debate forums, and I think she is treating them as is they were. Winning on points does not equal winning elections and the latter is the objective.

[MineralMan]

18. I did know that, which prompted my comment.

[Tipperary]

12. Good points.

Your last sentence is correct.

[zackymilly]

13. What should Joe do tonight?

[MineralMan]

19. Come out and state his positions in his usual

soft-spoken way, just as he always does. He inspires confidence with his demeanor. He might want to ramp that up a bit if attacked, but should never lose his temper or bark at anyone. That's not his style.

I think he knows what to do, and will do it. He has just one real competitor on the stage with him tonight, and that's Kamala Harris. If she's smart, and I think she is, she will not pull anything like she did last time. None of the rest have any chance of becoming the nominee. Harris, on the other hand, has an excellent chance of becoming the VP nominee. I hope she thinks about that.

[NurseJackie]

14. I can never hear him speaking because his arms are too "loud" and distracting.

Bernie: Stop pointing and making jerky motions during your time. Find some new gestures.

I can never hear him speaking because his arms are too "loud" and distracting. After all this time, I wonder why his campaign staff hasn't spoken with him about that. It's not as if you and I are the only ones who've noticed. Many people see it as a sign of rudeness and invasion of personal space. (I remember one time when he was on Bill Maher, the woman sitting beside him had to shield her face from the exaggerated gesticulations.)

[MineralMan]

20. Exactly. His gestures are jerky, artificial and too broad by a

large degree. They are all emphatic, and his facial expressions are also unpleasant, for the most part. That's not going to work in 2020, and it didn't work before. This year, though, there are many other options, so why support the angry guy who speaks often and loudly, but rarely listens.

I don't consider Bernie Sanders to have much of a chance for the nomination. If I had an opportunity to meet him, I'd probably make some excuse not to do so. I would not enjoy talking to him at all, I'm certain. So, why would I vote for him in my primary?

[NurseJackie]

23. Many people share your opinion of him, including myself.

I prefer a candidate who listens and who has realistic SOLUTIONS. I mean... anyone can read a laundy-list of problems that we "gotta fix" and things we "oughta do". But what sets candidates apart is having a realistic and practical solution and their ability to clearly and calmly explain it.

[wyldwolf]

15. "smiling" isn't a prerequisite. "Glaring," though, is really a turn off.

I know Bernie and, to a lesser degree, Elizabeth does it for 'righteous progressive' effect, but it becomes cartoonish after a while.

[melman]

16. Good points

I hear women love being told to smile more.


oh..wait. turns out they actually don't

[MineralMan]

21. She's a politician. Politicians smile.

I'd say the same thing to a man, and did. When did you ever see a genuine smile from Bernie Sanders?

[HerbChestnut]

17. Telling a woman to smile...

Yikes, MM.

[MineralMan]

22. I'm telling a politician to smile. Man or woman doesn't matter.

Equal treatment for all.