I think we can all agree that Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton came out on top after Tuesday night’s first Democratic debate of the election season. Independent senator from Vermont, Bernie Sanders, and former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, were up against former senator from Virginia, Jim Webb, former governor of Maryland, Martin O’Malley, and former governor of Rhode Island, Lincoln Chafee.
While these three latter candidates were probably hoping for something more than just an introduction, it looks like that's all they got. For example, I’ll remember Jim Webb, who is an Emmy winning journalist, filmmaker, and author of ten books in addition to his political accomplishments, as the whiny guy who complained about not getting enough time.
As for the other two, O’Malley seems to have done better than Webb and Chafee. He was forced to defend his governorship of Maryland during the Baltimore riots, but seems to have held his own. There was just no big headline, no one-liner to really grab people’s attention and moreover, nothing notable to differentiate him. As for Chafee (who?), he just seemed a little bit off. Not to mention, Twitter users all over the country are beginning to use, #FeelTheChafe, as some sort of cruel twist on Sanders’ #FeelTheBern. Chafee also gave a very odd answer to Anderson Cooper’s question about one of his Senate votes in 1999, replying to Cooper: “I think you’re being a little tough.”
Meanwhile, Clinton and Sanders each shined with their respective outspoken moments. Bernie managed to at least partially overcome his old, irrelevant, uncle look with fiery passion in his introduction and throughout the debate. He also gave Clinton a nod when he spoke out against discussion of her email “scandal,” stating that the American people are sick of hearing about the “damn emails.”
Clinton also took a stand for herself on this issue, responding to Chafee’s demand for an “ethical president and world leader” by choosing not to dignify his statement with a response. She told Anderson Cooper, “No,” when asked to reply.
While a huge range of topics were discussed in the Democratic Debate last week including capitalism, economic inequality (shout-out to Bernie), the environment, gun control and sustainable energy, what seems to have mattered most is which candidates were able to make themselves stand out among the crowd. Well, there was no upset there, Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton are continuing to garner support from the American people. As for who won? Many political experts are saying that Clinton got the edge over Sanders on this one. However, according to a Chegg Media poll, Sanders is the overwhelming favorite on college campuses like ours after the debate, with 59% of the student vote, while Hillary has 18%. So, where do you stand? Make sure to stay informed and make your vote count next fall. The next Democratic debate is scheduled for November 14, 2015.
