**** DEBATE THREAD #2 *****

[TexasTowelie]

It's moving fast folks.

[cherryinpa]

1. Pete

Pete just let Bernie talk all over him.

[MH1]

9. Pete came off WAY better, IMO. nt

[CalFione]

2. Bernie is getting flustered and on the defensive

[DURHAM D]

6. Yes, worried about his health. nt

[still_one]

67. If the candidates can't put up with this, then those candidates shouldn't be running

[Chemisse]

63. I noticed he blew out of his mouth several times.

[elleng]

3. VERY fast.

[DURHAM D]

4. Thank god for the mute button. nt

[barbtries]

85. no shit.

even muted that red angry face, those gesticulating arms, that pointing finger. ugh.

[LaurenOlimina]

5. Does Bernie look ok?

He's splotchy on my screen

[UniteFightBack]

8. Can all this stress be good? nt

[LaurenOlimina]

19. If anyone's going to drop, tonight might be the night.

The stress must be pretty high up there.

[ecstatic]

133. hell no! We're watching his health go down the drain in

real time. There's no way someone can get that riled up without physical consequences.

[bdamomma]

153. not good at all

we need a discussion.

I want to hear from Bloomberg, but boy I wish they would play his videos. he's very opinionated.

[UniteFightBack]

7. Bernie: There are bad people on 'both sides'.

[apcalc]

10. Bad people on both sides my ass. Typical non Dem saying that.

[padah513]

13. Sounds like a Trumpism to me

[question everything]

76. One more?

[UniteFightBack]

15. Total deflection of an 'answer'. nt

[Sloumeau]

17. Bad people on both sides? That sounds downright Trumpian. :) nt

[MH1]

14. Yup.

I am so sorry he seems to be the current torchbearer for the progressive position.

We can do better.

[Sloumeau]

25. Warren: all of the Progressiveness...

10 times the electability.

[MH1]

35. ..

[rwheeler31]

16. Bernie keeps defending his violent supporters and saying it is all campaings.

[DURHAM D]

34. Yep. He said talk to the AA women on his team.

Then he mentioned Nina Turner by name.

She does not talk with anyone. She just yells at everyone.

[Sloumeau]

38. He's actually going with the "Everybody does it" claim to justify things? Wow. nt

[Zoonart]

21. And there it is.

Bernie is leading a revolution against the Democratic party as well as the Thugs.

[UniteFightBack]

46. And I think we are helping with this vote splitting business. nt

[still_one]

102. That is a trumpian expression

[LaurenOlimina]

11. I'm all for nominating a woman!

...or pete. That's all good.

[UniteFightBack]

53. Or maybe the guy who is leading by the widest margin against dump in the swing states. nt

[LaurenOlimina]

60. If he can't win a primary...

..that's the ball game.

[UniteFightBack]

79. Well yeah. Me I vote with my head. nt

[LaurenOlimina]

99. What does that mean?

You have a hope he would win, not a crystal ball. He had such a lead and squandered it.

[UniteFightBack]

150. He was smeared by a fake president - the guy got impeached over it. He wanted him to lose and

it sure looks like he is getting his way once again. Impeachment pays! I thought people would see that but apparently not, folks have other fish to fry this election rather than just beating dump.

[LaurenOlimina]

157. Sorry, Biden lost me with his handling of Anita Hill.

I've never been a fan.

[UniteFightBack]

177. See that's my point. My point is you should be supporting the person who is leading by the

widest margin in the swing states if you want to beat dump....but like I said folks have other fish to fry even though they claim they want to kill the whale.

If Klobuchar was up by 8 points in the swing states - guess who I'd be supporting?
If Pete was up by 8 points in the swing states - guess who I'd be supporting?

Vote with your head.

[Ellen Forradalom]

182. ....not your

Last edited Wed Feb 19, 2020, 11:57 PM - Edit history (1)

vagina

Completed the sentence.

It's early yet. Let people vote.

[uponit7771]

12. Yep, they're getting it in ... no more Mr Bloomberg ... that's a good thing.

[dalton99a]

18. Kick

[cherryinpa]

20. Biden needs to interrupt

Only way he will be heard is if he crashes this.

Do it now Joe.

[UniteFightBack]

37. I agree he needs to get in there again now or you go cold. nt

[bdamomma]

179. Joe needs

to be a little more vocal, but he does better in town halls.

[Renew Deal]

22. Is Warren stepping away from M4A?

[tishaLA]

23. The junior senator from VT keeps interrupting

and filibustering any criticisms

[highplainsdem]

24. Sanders doesn't look well. And considering the medication he's on for high blood pressure,

this is not the best activity or profession for him.

[cannabis_flower]

42. I'm watching and I don't see it..

he looks ok to me.

[ecstatic]

143. Screen size and resolution?

[cannabis_flower]

187. Not sure of the resolution but

the screen size is 72"

[ecstatic]

188. You win! nt

[apcalc]

48. Sanders is an angry red faced man. And not a Democrat. Bad.

[MustLoveBeagles]

58. His face looks flush but that could just be the makeup

[still_one]

121. I saw his medical records and he's fine

[NJCher]

184. Sanders has color to his face

Biden's face is gray, but not as bad as it was last debate.

In this video, from the last campaign, Bernie is the only one on stage that doesn't have a gray face.

[jmg257]

26. MRB has only spoken 2x. Strange

[cherryinpa]

27. Warren

Warren is coming out swinging.

Rest better watch out, she might be back in the game.

[UniteFightBack]

28. Here we go down the health care rabbit hole...while dump is tearing apart the ACA and we have pukes

to deal with.

[elleng]

49. Right, a BAD idea.

[Sophiegirl]

29. Liz!!! Whoa!

This is not going well.

[highplainsdem]

30. Warren seems to be going after everyone.

[uponit7771]

31. Wow warren ... punch towards Bloomberg please ... just a little more.

[squirecam]

32. Warren attacking everyone but Sanders

And Biden so far

[rwheeler31]

55. She is coming across as vicious and panicked.

[madville]

75. Desperation n/t

[Bradshaw3]

165. If that was a man you would be calling him tough

She's actually telling the truth but some can't handle it.

[LaurenOlimina]

33. post it note

**snarf**

[Glimmer of Hope]

43. So low..oh my.

[marlakay]

36. Warren really trying attacks tonight

For almost everyone.

[XRubicon]

109. I think she is done

[Renew Deal]

39. Warren is going on attack against everyone

She's desperate. I doubt she makes it past SC.

[backtoblue]

41. Warren going at this HARD

She's back and will not be ignored.

[patricia92243]

44. So when is Bloomberg going to get to speak? So far it is mostly Bernie.

[CalFione]

45. I'm surprised.. and glad.. that the attacks are more on Bernie than on Bloomberg

[Renew Deal]

51. Something we all can celebrate

[uponit7771]

47. GREAT !!! Ignore Bloomberg ... he's got no swing state appeal.

[IluvPitties]

50. I am worried about Bernie.

Getting rough in there.

[Sophiegirl]

52. Bloomberg is letting them go at each other. nt

[marlakay]

69. Yes i bet he is loving it

He got them all stirred up.

[BKDem]

168. Mike doesn't appear to appreciate any criticism.

I don’t care for that in a President.

[LaurenOlimina]

54. Pete exudes competence.

Plugging his plan and not striking back is smart.

[babylonsister]

125. Agreed! nt

[highplainsdem]

56. In a way I like the fieriness. But I'd guess some viewers are thinking someone should drop a net

over these people.

[Chemisse]

57. Ahhh, Pete, you are a great speaker.

[Renew Deal]

66. He is

[Chemisse]

128. He stopped short of saying 'I paid for this microphone'

[bdamomma]

180. He is so

speech worthy.

[madaboutharry]

59. Bernie is an angry bitter man

and I just can’t take four more years of an angry bitter man, no matter who he is. I want a president who is optimistic.

[UniteFightBack]

64. It's hard to watch. nt

[grantcart]

185. Not for me I watch Law and Order and read the threads

[Maru Kitteh]

108. true that

[katmondoo]

123. Iam with you, 4 years of another angry man, please NO

[drray23]

61. so now bernie backs away from medicare for all

he says he will expand coverage instead of replacing it with medicare for all. basically backing off after the attacks from the unions.

[elleng]

62. Amy EXPLAINS somethings useful about her plan,

a GOOD thing.

[Glimmer of Hope]

74. Her response was superb.

[apcalc]

83. Good job Amy

[gldstwmn]

65. Warren lands another blow on this time Klobuchar.

On health care. I've never seen her quite like this. She will definitely get a bounce from this.

[spooky3]

88. Klobuchar's response: "Post Its were invented in my state!"

So I don't mind that Elizabeth said my plan could fit on a Post It.

Pretty good response.

[LaurenOlimina]

106. Nice.

[gldstwmn]

160. I do like Klobuchar. Let's see how it goes

for her tonight.

[Aaron Pereira]

68. They're all so much better than Trump.

What a world.

[Celerity]

70. Warren is on all out attack mode tonight

[ancianita]

155. She's totally ready for the General.

[Celerity]

181. not when she is making things up out of thin air

She flat out misled that Buttigieg's plan only addresses premium costs in terms of cost containment and nothing else.

that is simply blatantly untrue

not a good look from her at all

Buttigieg Is Rare Candidate To Target Hospitals In Cost-Cutting Plan, As Sanders, Warren Shy Away From Powerful Lobby

https://khn.org/morning-breakout/buttigieg-is-rare-candidate-to-target-hospitals-in-cost-cutting-plan-as-sanders-warren-shy-away-from-powerful-lobby/



How Pete Buttigieg would expand health coverage

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/19/pete-buttigieg-2020-health-care-plan-1502581

Buttigieg’s proposal would preserve the nation’s existing private insurance industry while creating a government-run health insurance alternative. His plan, like the one offered by former Vice President Joe Biden, also would boost subsidies to help people purchase their own coverage on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces and limit the amount people pay for premiums. Separately, it would cap out-of-pocket costs for seniors on Medicare.

Meanwhile, the plan would roll back Trump administration efforts that health advocates say have weakened the safety net. Buttigieg is proposing to reverse President Donald Trump’s expansion of association health plans and short-term plans, which his administration argues provide a lower-cost alternative to Obamacare plans but have been criticized for providing insufficient coverage. Buttigieg is also vowing to end the first-ever Medicaid work requirements, a controversial policy that critics say is primarily intended to cut off coverage to low-income people.

Buttigieg’s plan includes multiple provisions that take aim at politically powerful health care providers, calling for new scrutiny of nonprofit hospitals’ tax exemptions and expanding regulators’ authority to crack down on health care mergers. He’d also limit what health care providers could charge insurers, pegging their out-of-network prices to just twice the typically lower rates that Medicare pays.

The campaign argues that limiting providers’ market and pricing power is essential to lowering the costs of patients’ health plans. “Our plan isn't just about coverage,” said a health care expert who advised the campaign. “It's about affordability.”

snip

Mayor Pete Buttigieg unveils plan to reduce inequities in healthcare accessButtigieg would combat racial and gender bias in part by redirecting funding to under-resourced communities.

https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/mayor-pete-buttigieg-unveils-plan-reduce-inequities-healthcare-access

Most of the healthcare-centric debate taking place among Democratic presidential candidates has centered around achieving some form of universal coverage, whether it be in the form of a public option or Medicare For All. But Mayor Pete Buttigieg unveiled a plan this week to address a different issue: inequities in access to care.

In a statement posted to his website, Buttigieg effectively made health equity a campaign priority, saying he would combat racial and gender bias in healthcare in part by redirecting funding to under-resourced communities and providing training for health professionals to combat bias.

At the center of his plan is the National Health Equity Strategy Task Force, which he would establish within his first 100 days in office. The task force would delineate the steps necessary to ensure equity and provide healthcare to underrepresented groups.

"This systemic discrimination takes the form of a doctor who takes a Black person's pain symptoms less seriously, or a health clinic staffed by providers lacking training on how to appropriately care for a transgender person," the website's statement reads. "It manifests in a hospital system that breaks ground only in a predominantly white neighborhood, and in a public health department that fails to translate important information into Chinese and Arabic despite a need in the community. Discrimination shows up in health facilities that are not accessible to people with disabilities. It takes place in states like Georgia and Texas, where governments play politics with people's lives by refusing to expand Medicaid."

snip

How Pete Buttigieg would lower drug prices

https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/07/pete-buttigieg-drug-prices-policy-036409

Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg on Monday released a plan to lower the cost of prescription drugs while also boosting U.S. investment in new drug development and manufacturing. The wide-sweeping proposal, similar to plans from rival candidates and a bill from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, calls on the government to negotiate the costs of drugs in Medicare, as well as the government-run “public option” Buttigieg has proposed to compete with private insurers. Those prices would also be available to private health insurance plans and Medicaid. Buttigieg would also cap out-of-pocket spending for seniors and people enrolled in the public option.

Buttigieg aims to boost government investment in drug research and manufacturing, particularly for critical areas like pandemic prevention and antibiotics. His plan would also require more transparency on pricing from the drug industry and companies that administer pharmacy benefits. “It’s time for a new era of leadership in Washington ready and eager to make drugs affordable and take on pharmaceutical companies,” his plan reads. “Pete has the courage to break with the status quo by focusing on real solutions that will lower costs and make needed — even life-saving — prescription drugs available to all Americans.”

What would the plan do?

The government would be empowered to negotiate prices, starting with the most expensive medicines and those that are much cheaper overseas. Medicines for diabetes, asthma, arthritis, HIV and cancer would be prioritized.

The Department of Health and Human Services would use four criteria to negotiate: the benefit offered by the drug, the cost of bringing the medicine to the market, the costs of treating the disease the drug addresses, and international prices charged for similar drugs. Pharmaceutical companies that refuse to negotiate or don’t reach an agreement with the government will pay a 65 percent tax on the company’s gross sales of the drug. The tax will increase by 10 percent each quarter the company is out of compliance, until it reaches 95 percent.

The federal government could revoke a company’s patent rights and let others make a drug at an affordable price if the manufacturer refuses to lower the price or in cases of a natural disaster or public health emergency. Monthly out-of-pocket drugs costs would be capped at $200 for seniors and at $250 for public option enrollees. Low-income patients in government plans would pay nothing for generics and biosimilars, copycats of complex biologic drugs.

snip

[highplainsdem]

71. Annd....Bernie's back to the stump speech again.

[babylonsister]

72. I've been watching for 10 minutes and Biden

hasn't said a word, or can't get a word in edgewise.

I stand corrected.

[Mme. Defarge]

73. Any is rock in' it on health care!

[pnwmom]

77. Why did Chuck Todd just call on Bernie AGAIN when Biden was trying to answer?

[UniteFightBack]

86. Biden needs to push in NOW. nt

[dchill]

90. Cuz he's an ass.

[katmondoo]

98. Chuck is a Bernie promoter

[hedda_foil]

163. That may be the most ridiculous comment of the night.

[grantcart]

186. Well there's a lot of competition for that distinction

[LaurenOlimina]

78. Damn it... My internet froze during Amy's answer!

I missed the Post-t riposte.

[spooky3]

91. see my post, above

[eilen]

80. Really, is that a hard number Bernie?

Have you actually done the math? I doubt it.

[rwheeler31]

94. Biden makes the most sense.

[Renew Deal]

81. Biden claims he got something done on healthcare

That's a big fat exaggeration. He happened to be in Obama's house when it happened.

[pnwmom]

92. And didn't it make it sound like he'd gotten a public option passed? n/t

[highplainsdem]

117. Biden played a crucial role. I don't have time now to find that thread, but I'll post it later.

Without Biden, Dems would not have had to votes to pass the ACA.

[highplainsdem]

146. Here's that thread - just remembered I'd bookmarked it:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287262162

[highplainsdem]

82. Biden finally gets a chance to speak.

[drray23]

84. Trump must be laughing his ass off.

Its a freaking circus, so far nobody has mentioned Trump, they are too busy insulting each other. its a disgrace.

[padah513]

105. Who cares what Trump thinks?

This is a fight for the soul of the party right now and I say let them have at it

[drray23]

116. no its not. its a fight for the soul of the country.nt.

[Sophiegirl]

87. This is heartbreakingly sad.

It isn’t a debate. It is a scream fest.

[rainy]

89. Bernie really is saying all the right things!!!

[drray23]

95. thats all he is good for, achieving anything not so much.

he has not done anything of note in decades in the senate. there is nothing that would lead me to believe he would as a president.

[DanieRains]

132. Billionaires Trillions Keep The Gravy Train Rolling

Into their accounts.

Good luck going up against 50 trillion power.

At least Bernie fights the good fight.

Along with others.....

[highplainsdem]

93. Warren's coming across like this is her last stand.

[squirecam]

103. And poorly

She’s playing like Bernie with angry insults.

[highplainsdem]

129. I wish she'd go after Sanders more. She's punching down.

[squirecam]

147. She clearly wont

Nt

[UniteFightBack]

162. That would never happen. nt

[highplainsdem]

174. Well, Sanders is blocking her lane.. His supporters won't switch to her no matter how much she

attacks the moderates.

[dchill]

118. This could be anybody's last stand. Including ours!

[Renew Deal]

96. Warren thinks she can get ahead by attacking someone at around 5% in the polls.

Klobuchar.

[ancianita]

97. Liz not only HAS plans, she reads the others' plans! Impressive.

[aikoaiko]

100. This is the Elizabeth Warren I've been waiting for.

Leaning in and differentiating herself from others with spirit.

Nice!

[Taraman]

111. Me too

Smart and compassionate. I could see her taking it to Trump

[cherryinpa]

119. Yes

She is spicy.

[CalFione]

101. Warren isn't having a good debate, to me

[pnwmom]

115. She and Amy are both doing well. n/t

[womanofthehills]

120. I disagree - she is great tonight

Her best yet!!!

[CalFione]

136. I thought her post-it note line fell flat. She is being feisty, though.

As is Pete.

[spooky3]

173. She got cheers when she said that. nt

[jcgoldie]

124. yeah right she has everyone on the stage hiding under rocks

[krissey]

151. lol I like this description.

[LaurenOlimina]

137. Well... Amy is taking a hit with that post-it note thing.

Her response will make the outtakes for sure though.

[ecstatic]

154. A former hater I know is taking a second look at her

due to her performance tonight, so I think she's doing great.

[Maru Kitteh]

169. I don't think Warren will be in future debates. I think this night

is the end of her. I really did like Warren. I wanted Hillary to pick her for VP. I still like Warren, but this attack strategy is a fucking disaster. What the ever-loving hell is she attacking Amy so hard for? It's awful.

[yaesu]

104. Warren is the shining light on the stage imho. nt

[LaurenOlimina]

112. yeah

[Maru Kitteh]

126. Ugh. I really did like her, but I think this is her last debate.

[ecstatic]

167. She's the best that's left. People are just terrified

that she can't win. But she CAN win if we vote for her.

[Chemisse]

107. This is getting obnoxious, Liz.

[squirecam]

138. Yes

This is forced from her. And it plays poorly.

[Chemisse]

149. I was with her for a while but picking on everybody's health plan was too much.

[Wabbajack_]

113. Warren doing great, Bernie doing well

Is my impression so far.

Biden and Pete seem whiny.

[womanofthehills]

140. My impression too!!

[uponit7771]

114. ✨✨✨✨BLOOMBERG IS LYING ABOUT HIS SUPPORT FOR OBAMACARE!!✨✨✨✨

[Renew Deal]

134. About what?

[uponit7771]

139. Intimating he supported Obama care

[LaurenOlimina]

142. yup, a flat out lie...

[Bradshaw3]

175. And stop and frisk

[elleng]

122. Bloomberg sounds weak on healthcare.

[uponit7771]

131. +1, he's lying about his statements on Obama care

[AJT]

127. What an incredibly ugly mess,

encouraged by NBC/MSNBC.

[TexasTowelie]

130. Starting thread #3:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287541980

[uponit7771]

135. YOU CAN DO ALL THAT WITHOUT RACISM !!!

[LiberalFighter]

141. Mike Bloomberg in 2010 called Obamacare legislation 'a disgrace'

Mike Bloomberg in 2010 called Obamacare legislation 'a disgrace' and 'another program that's going to cost a lot of money'

[DanieRains]

144. Pete Is Gonna Need Stitches

It seems.

Donations from drug company ceo's?

Unfortunately you need the cash in our idiotic system.

Doesn't make Pete bad, but doesn't look good.

[Renew Deal]

152. Nobody that's persuadable cares about that.

[uponit7771]

164. No he's not politicos understand his donations.

[nobuddy]

145. South Carolina came early/

This debate is wild.

[bullwinkle428]

148. Joe is right re: stop & frisk. The courts forced Bloomberg to shut it down.

[dustyscamp]

158. Wow Warren

[uponit7771]

166. +1, I think Warren is going to punch Bloomberg in the grill before the night is over

[bdamomma]

183. nt

[Lucid Dreamer]

156. Bloom stumbling on S&F

[uponit7771]

170. +1, Warren stuck her leg out and pushed him from the back

[hlthe2b]

159. Reading these two threads it sounds like DUers are watching about five different debates.

Nighty Night folks... I'm going to watch it tomorrow so I can actually sleep.

[Lucid Dreamer]

176. I'd like to see the one where a Democrat wins. Where is that? nt

[ecstatic]

178. lol! nt

[Chemisse]

161. You go, Joe. LOL!

[LaurenOlimina]

171. time for the next thread...

[qanda]

172. Just say no to Bloomberg

He's awful!