The #1 issue for Dems (beyond defeating Trump) is health care. Does anyone think this debate

[hlthe2b]

clarified this issue or allowed ANY of the candidates to make clear their policy and differences?

I think the way it was handled in this debate was merely theater and just muddied the waters more. I find it frustrating as hell.

[guillaumeb]

1. The US corporate media prefers theater to substance.

The debate format shows that.

[Bradshaw3]

2. It's the format

Just not intended for thoughful policy debates. Not enough time and it's all about theatrics.

[JI7]

3. debates these days are always theater. there are many ways to find out

about candidates positions.

the debates are the worst way.

[Thekaspervote]

4. Agree!

[Cha]

5. That's too bad.. seems like

that was the mods/cnn's goal?

Btw, health care was the Numero Uno issue in the 2018 Blue Wave Midterms.. and they WON on ACA.

[uponit7771]

6. Not enough, CNN wants fireworks and twerking instead of substantive answers

[still_one]

7. I did not watch either of the debates, but my impression from reading here was yesterday's debate

was more substantive

[elleng]

10. Yes, but this one's not over yet;

1st and 2d halves of yesterday's were very different.

[elleng]

8. No, the issue (and everyone's 'solutions') are too complex to be clarified in such as forum.

[bigtree]

9. it was confusing

...not a good place to look for answers on Dems and health care reform.

Private insurance took a big hit.

[tulipsandroses]

11. No it has not provided any clarity for most Americans

Thats what these candidates are forgetting - They don't need to debate the nuts and bolts of each plan to each other. They need to sell it to the American people. Trillions vs billions, 5 yrs vs 10 yrs - Sorry none of that matters to the average viewer who is worried about their co pays or all the other issues concerning insurance that people worry about- how much is coming out of their pay check every month, is this covered? How much is that drug gonna cost? How much is that lab test gonna cost? The doc ordered that lab but my insurance doesn't cover it so I'm not gonna do it. So maybe I don't find out what illness I have till its more advanced. How is your plan better than the one that these people already have?

[Music Man]

12. The sheer number of candidates has made it impossible to dive deeply into the issue.

It's a shame, because there's a true, grand discussion to be had about health care. Real distinctions between private plans, a public option, and single payer. I love getting into the weeds in this topic (especially because I'm a proponent of single payer, and I appreciate when it's put to the stress test--I want it to work). But it just becomes silly questions and talking points where they're talking past one another:

Q: "Will you raise taxes on Americans?"
A: "Overall costs will go down."
Q: "BUT WILL YOU RAISE TAXES?"

[Spider Jerusalem]

13. #1 issue should be climate change (n/t)

[hlthe2b]

14. I'm just referring to recent polling. I don't disagree with you on climate change.