NYTimes: Warren and Booker Shone at LGBTQ Forum

[DrFunkenstein]

There was a lot of drama. Senator Cory Booker, by way of greeting, lifted one of the moderators of Friday night’s L.G.B.T.Q. Presidential Forum right off the floor in a great bear hug. Later, an audience member interrupted Senator Amy Klobuchar with what sounded like an appeal to “protect sex workers.”

And then there was Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who was asked what it would feel like to serve as president of a country for which he could not, under current regulations, donate his blood.

But the most breathtaking moment, by my reckoning, belonged to Senator Elizabeth Warren, who said that she wasn’t just going to tell us what she’d do in her first 100 days. She would show us.

And then she read aloud the names of the 18 transgender women of color who have been murdered this year, in a voice that quavered with emotion. “It is time,” she concluded, “for a president of the United States of America to say their names.”

Those names are Dana Martin, Jazzaline Ware, Ashanti Carmon, Claire Legato, Muhlaysia Booker, Michelle Tamika Washington, Paris Cameron, Chynal Lindsey, Chanel Scurlock, Zoe Spears, Brooklyn Lindsey, Denali Berries Stuckey, Kiki Fantroy, Pebbles LaDime “Dime” Doe, Tracy Single, Bailey Reeves, Bee Love Slater, and Ja’leyah-Jamar.

...

Meanwhile, as an older American — and one from Pennsylvania at that — I have a longtime affection for former Vice President Joe Biden, a fondness that has occasionally put me at odds with a younger generation of queer activists. I had hoped that Biden’s appearance at the forum would finally put to rest the uncertainty around his candidacy.

That didn’t happen. Instead, — I’m so sorry to have to say this — he appeared, once again, to be phoning it in. He said a few passionate but circuitous words as he stepped onto the stage, then looked over at the host, Lyz Lenz, an Iowa-based writer. “Do I go sit down?” he asked.

She nodded. “Honestly, I thought you’d go a little longer.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/21/opinion/elizabeth-warren-booker-lgbtq-forum-biden.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage

[BeyondGeography]

1. Warren/Booker

Fitting. That’s the ticket.

[aikoaiko]

2. "I'm so sorry to have to say this -- [Biden] appeared, once again, to be phoning it in.

ouch.

[BlueWI]

3. It's what he does

frequently. The contrast between Biden and Yang, for instance, at the Harkin BBQ couldn't be starker in terms of energy and substance.

[Tipperary]

4. "Do I go sit down?" Yikes.

Oh dear.

[NewsCenter28]

5. Wow, this brings tears to my eyes

I’ve been waiting and praying for Liz to show this kind of breakout performance so I could comfortably support her!

[DrFunkenstein]

7. Expecting Ivory Tower, People Have Been Surprised At Her Passion and Personal Touch

In theory, Warren is some cranky, snooty professor. But the more people actually see her, they realize she's nothing of the sort.

This was another great moment following on her inspiring NYC speech.

[cwydro]

6. I wish there was a clip of the candidates there.

Not at all surprised Warren did well.