Three things to expect from the Cruz vs. Sanders healthcare debate

But something few anticipated is Tuesday night’s debate between two former candidates. Enter Sens. Ted Cruz and Bernie Sanders to wax eloquent on Obamacare and to personify the political battles we’re met with on social media.

The rehearsed meets the reactive, and I can’t wait. Here’s what to expect:

Facts vs. Myths

Both Cruz and Sanders remain sitting senators, despite running for president largely on this issue. However, it will be interesting to see if they trot out the talking points we heard so often on the campaign trail, or if we will be met with new content based on the ever-growing chorus of Obamacare failures.

Regardless, there are a few myths we’ve heard in the past year (or five) that are in need of a good “Come to Jesus” moment:

Myth #1: Repealing Obamacare will leave 20 million uninsured. That is a debatable (and possibly inflated) number explained more fully here. Also, those 20 million currently receive subsidies or are on Medicaid coverage. Neither of these provisions will end during or after the repeal and replace process.

Myth #2: If repeal happens without replacement, people currently enrolled will experience a lapse in coverage. Both President Trump and Republican lawmakers have said there will not be a lapse in coverage. Instead, Obamacare will likely be phased out; repeal and replace will be a process.

The truth: The 25 million who pay out of pocket but receive no subsidies and have had premium increases year after year are more at risk of losing their coverage. For example, from 2016 to 2017, the average benchmark plan premium increase was 25 percent in that year alone.

Look for Sanders to lean heavily on the myths and Cruz to counter with the truth, but will either do so effectively? Or will tonight’s performance look like 2016 2.0?

Polar Opposites

Cruz and Sanders are coming at this debate from opposite sides of the aisle, which is not brand new information. We know they don’t agree politically.

But something to watch for (in addition to their messaging) is their delivery. Not only will we watch conservative vs. liberal, but we’ll also have a front row seat to rehearsed vs. reactive, clinical vs. emotional.

Cruz will have his talking points itemized and be practiced to the point of robotic; Sanders will also have his talking points memorized, but the application will be much more loosey-goosey. A good argument needs stories backed up by numbers, but my hopes for either senator to incorporate both to great effect are low.

Perhaps the most superficial way to sum up their differences in messaging and delivery is to evaluate their appearances. If Cruz walks on stage buttoned-up and shellacked and Sanders calls for another application of hairspray at the commercial break, we’ll know to expect what we saw in every debate from the 2016 campaign season. Only this time, the prize isn’t the White House.

Will CNN be fair?

Great question. Can we counter with “does it matter?” The Obamacare issue needs a solution, and fast. It’s on Cruz and Sanders to cut through the noise and defend their opinions to the best of their abilities.

CNN may not call out Sanders for his ridiculous claims while unfairly criticizing Cruz’s talking points. But with all the “fake news” allegations, it’d be wise not to.

No matter how CNN approaches either senator in tonight’s debate, voters are looking for substance and a practical way forward.

My guess? Both Cruz and Sanders will walk away from this debate having satisfied their supporters and no one else. Color me cynical.

Beverly Hallberg (@BevHallberg) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog. She is president of District Media Group.

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