Democratic Primaries

HotTeaBag

(1,206 posts)

78. A debate between the last two remaining Democratic candidates is in no way pointless

Fri Mar 6, 2020, 05:40 PM

Mar 2020

In fact it's vital because their points of view, experience and policies are almost diametrically opposed to one another and those of us who live in (much) later states deserve to have them debate their ideas one on one without the noise of 10 other people on the stage.

I'm for Joe right now, but barely, and I'd appreciate the opportunity to see he and Sanders one on one to see who can better defend their point of view and is more capable of thinking on their feet...especially as there will be Trump debates on the horizon for whomever wins the nomination.

I'm surprised there is so much opposition to Joe and Bernie debating, I would think that there would be more interest in seeing them without a circus atmosphere where they have plenty of time to fill in the blanks of their respective positions that they may not have been able to in previous debates. Especially Joe, as he always seemed to shy away from going over the set time limit to his answers and quite frankly I'd like to hear more from him.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

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Joe has to debate Bernie for his, and our, own good. AFTER that we likely can turn the page. [View all] Tom Rinaldo Mar 2020 OP

We've all heard BS's same answers to every question how many times now? we can do it Mar 2020 #1

That's okay. We should hear it again in that setting. nolabear Mar 2020 #6

An hour and half of the same answers. Over and over and over. LizBeth Mar 2020 #9

Yes joe does tend to do that, thanks for pointing it out. ChubbyStar Mar 2020 #97

Every answer morphs back to his stump speech. NurseJackie Mar 2020 #11

Can we stop calling Bernie 'BS'? He may be our candidate. nt zackymilly Mar 2020 #20

Not going to happen. we can do it Mar 2020 #22

I know, I know, lol nt zackymilly Mar 2020 #23

😹 we can do it Mar 2020 #40

Candidate or not, his initials are BS. jrthin Mar 2020 #30

Yes, but we've never heard Joe tell that story... Act_of_Reparation Mar 2020 #24

Corn Pop to the rescue!! FoxNewsSucks Mar 2020 #32

We have heard Joe's answers as well. But the DNC scheduled that debate and I think it would not totodeinhere Mar 2020 #26

Biden may win Washington and Michigan and if that happens, I would say no to any debate...Joe is the Demsrule86 Mar 2020 #83

I don't want to see either candidate attacked although Bernie sure gets a lot of attacks on DU. totodeinhere Mar 2020 #94

The only way i would say not to debate is if any candidate has 1991 delegates before the next debate still_one Mar 2020 #105

Joe doesn't "HAVE" to do anything. George II Mar 2020 #2

Of course he doesn't have to but it would not be a good look if he were to bow out now totodeinhere Mar 2020 #28

No kidding Just_Vote_Dem Mar 2020 #37

V.P. Biden certainly has positive attributes, elleng Mar 2020 #3

Lol ! Top marks for effort though, Tom. OnDoutside Mar 2020 #4

the winner seldom debates the loser, no reason to do so nt msongs Mar 2020 #7

Less than half of the delegates have been selected. We need to allow the voters in upcoming totodeinhere Mar 2020 #31

you're correct, the already long ago scheduled event should occur. no need to create another nt msongs Mar 2020 #49

But with just 2 of them, maybe cut it down to an hour or 90 minutes. nt tblue37 Mar 2020 #56

Tweaking the debate format to take into account that there are only two major candidates left totodeinhere Mar 2020 #63

I say no...if Biden has an insurmountable lead ...no debate period...Sanders will to after him and Demsrule86 Mar 2020 #84

Maybe joe will bring up the thing ChubbyStar Mar 2020 #102

Debate is March 15 AFTER the next series of primaries (March 10), including Michigan... hlthe2b Mar 2020 #5

But BEFORE Illinois, Florida, Arizona and Ohio the next week. hedda_foil Mar 2020 #36

True. But a major loss in Michigan for Sanders will have some major implcations. hlthe2b Mar 2020 #39

He's not going to drop out after Michigan except in your dreams. hedda_foil Mar 2020 #62

Honestly, I'm among those who has tried hard to be even-handed. So to assume I "dream" hlthe2b Mar 2020 #72

I apologize, hitthe2b. You didn't deserve the swipe. hedda_foil Mar 2020 #76

Of course! hlthe2b Mar 2020 #77

Thank you. hedda_foil Mar 2020 #82

It doesn't matter to me what he does...no debate if Biden has an insurmountable lead so Sanders Demsrule86 Mar 2020 #85

Tom, I don't for one second believe that the Sanders supporters now smearing Biden will stop even if highplainsdem Mar 2020 #8

They are all one group - organized to defeat the Democratic party. NCProgressive Mar 2020 #16

Excellent analogy. emmaverybo Mar 2020 #41

I think it is over with before March 15th at which point no point to help the right by Demsrule86 Mar 2020 #10

Correct squirecam Mar 2020 #17

Refusing to do so would be incredibly disrespectful democrattotheend Mar 2020 #12

I don't think those in later states are anxious to throw in a losing ballot. NCProgressive Mar 2020 #18

Pretty ironic coming from a supporter of a candidate left for dead a week ago democrattotheend Mar 2020 #21

After March 7 NCProgressive Mar 2020 #65

That's all based on polls, or CW even in states that haven't been polled yet democrattotheend Mar 2020 #68

What I wrote above is NOT based on any poll. It is simple delegate math. NCProgressive Mar 2020 #69

I would have if the lead was insurmountable. NCProgressive Mar 2020 #70

"Biden friendly states" based on polls or conventional wisdom democrattotheend Mar 2020 #74

The path is well-lit, clean and without bumps now NCProgressive Mar 2020 #75

What is the purpose for the Democratic nominee to have debate when it won't change anything. Demsrule86 Mar 2020 #86

I haven't made up my mind yet democrattotheend Mar 2020 #91

Is there a question as to whether the March 15 debate will be held? KPN Mar 2020 #13

There is a question if the debate should be held if as I believe Sanders is mathematically Demsrule86 Mar 2020 #87

The GOP will get ammo if the debate is not held. Blue_true Mar 2020 #100

The debate should take place as scheduled. Blue_true Mar 2020 #99

Corollary frazzled Mar 2020 #14

He will go when he's ready.... Crowman Mar 2020 #29

Sounds ominous. emmaverybo Mar 2020 #43

bernie has a track record on this issue as do his supporters at the convention nt msongs Mar 2020 #51

Is that a threat? frazzled Mar 2020 #54

you sound a bit with the old argy bargy, may I suggest a nice cold Moscow Mule to relax a wee bit? Celerity Mar 2020 #60

That last part sounds like a threat, to me. Decidedly not a wise choice. nt Blue_true Mar 2020 #104

No more debates NCProgressive Mar 2020 #15

You captured his M.O. perfectly. emmaverybo Mar 2020 #44

If Bernie loses michigan then he has no mathematical path. squirecam Mar 2020 #19

Not so sure... Cradle of Liberty Mar 2020 #25

At this stage it would probably take the other way around for the ultimate nominee to be in doubt Tom Rinaldo Mar 2020 #38

The presidency is not about debate "performance." It is the ability to use the power of the office emmaverybo Mar 2020 #53

Debates are about "winning" the presidency. And you can't do anything in an office you don't win Tom Rinaldo Mar 2020 #57

Biden could win without debating Bernie although I'd love to see a debate dedicated to foreign emmaverybo Mar 2020 #58

I would be happy with a Town Hall format debate. Unfortunately one isn't scheduled far as I know Tom Rinaldo Mar 2020 #61

This! happy feet Mar 2020 #66

Talk about the past! Bernie is a walking 60's campus revolutionary template. His past "achievements" emmaverybo Mar 2020 #46

Well, Biden certainly has the support of black voters, who are the base ehrnst Mar 2020 #79

What policy has Bernie actually implemented that compares with ehrnst Mar 2020 #80

will be a big yawn as sanders argues pie in the sky issues and Joe talks reality beachbumbob Mar 2020 #27

Debates are overrated no matter what happens Jersey Devil Mar 2020 #33

listening to 2 guys born in the early 1940s IcyPeas Mar 2020 #34

Same here, pretty much democrattotheend Mar 2020 #92

Agreed. Joe will have another chance to get his message out in front of millions of voters. totodeinhere Mar 2020 #35

I hope they lob bombs at each other Jersey Devil Mar 2020 #45

It depends. I think it's widely believed that Bloomberg's poor debate performance torpedoed totodeinhere Mar 2020 #47

well, but that was so extremely bad, maybe the worst ever Jersey Devil Mar 2020 #52

She will return to the Senate and continue her work on behalf of the people of her state and totodeinhere Mar 2020 #64

Gonna have to disagree with you about Obama's debating prowess ProgRocknProgPol Mar 2020 #81

Well... I wouldn't watch because it wouldn't make any difference, tavernier Mar 2020 #42

There will be a debate. The only ones speculating there won't be are some here still_one Mar 2020 #48

You are probably right IMO. Obviously some people are afraid that Joe might commit totodeinhere Mar 2020 #71

I just hope the remaining debates don't allow audience chaos to prevail still_one Mar 2020 #73

There is no reason for a debate...we all know where these candidate stand and it is fodder for the Demsrule86 Mar 2020 #88

Joe will debate still_one Mar 2020 #93

Why debate when you're ahead? n/t zackymilly Mar 2020 #50

No need to because Biden is winning go away right now so why should he give Bernie a chance to .... Botany Mar 2020 #55

Regardless of your opinion it would hurt Biden. and therefor most likely all of us, if he refused Tom Rinaldo Mar 2020 #59

It won't hurt him at all NCProgressive Mar 2020 #67

A debate between the last two remaining Democratic candidates is in no way pointless HotTeaBag Mar 2020 #78

Oh please, there have been numerous debates and you can read about the policies online if Demsrule86 Mar 2020 #89

Eh, voters deserve to see Joe and Bernie one on one HotTeaBag Mar 2020 #96

There is still going to be a Democratic debate? MyNameGoesHere Mar 2020 #90

Don't forget Tulsi Gabbard IronLionZion Mar 2020 #95

He doesn't have to but I'm sure Joe will want to discuss guns for example ucrdem Mar 2020 #98

There will be a debate, and it won't change anyone's mind still_one Mar 2020 #101

Tell Bernie the debate is in Selma. He won't show. n/t zackymilly Mar 2020 #103

I am always shocked at how much weight people place on debates MaryMagdaline Mar 2020 #106