Substantive and clear is how I would describe Thursday night’s Democratic debate. Fewer candidates clearly allowed for a more substantive debate. PBS and Politico did a great job of asking nuanced questions that forced the candidates to take a deeper dive into their positions. Most Democratic voters saying they’re not glued to one candidate and are open to switching according to three separate polls by USA Today/Suffolk University, NPR/PBS NewsHour, and Quinnipiac University. So it was important that candidates showcase their gravitas beyond the simple soundbites that usually result from having so many candidates on the stage.
The centrists reigned supreme in the debate, showcasing the importance of pragmatism, which seems to be on life support when you compare their positions to those advocated by Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, and Amy Klobuchar by far had the best night. They were far more realistic with Democratic voters on matters such as healthcare, education, and race. They didn’t promise pie-in-the-sky ideas, and they weren’t living in a utopia that logic would tell even the casual spectator is impossible.
Andrew Yang also did well, but unlike the candidates above, he didn’t come off as a candidate who could take on President Trump head-to-head. He needed to show more force, zeal, and energy. He would be a great addition to someone’s cabinet, specifically focused on economic and infrastructural issues, but he still doesn’t show the necessary presence to convince me that he’s capable of battling Trump, who doesn’t play by any rules.
The farther left did worse. Sanders, Warren, and billionaire Tom Steyer seemed out of place. They spoke only to a small but loud group of liberals, but they failed to realize that their message won’t resonate in the general election. Warren kept reminding us about her selfie lines, Bernie kept screaming about “Medicare for all” that the country just can’t afford, and Tom Steyer was just there, never having a breakout moment and making you question why he was even on the stage at all.
Overall, it was the best debate so far. But while there were major improvements in comparison to previous debates, they still failed to showcase a fighting spirit. Voters want a fighter; they want to know you can go into battle and come home with a victory. Democrats may be far more reluctant to admit this than Republicans, but there is an inherent recognition in all of us that strength and knowing how to wield it can accomplish critical goals. This is important to building and sustaining support in presidential primaries.
While there were some interesting moments of disagreement (such as the Warren-Buttigieg spat over fundraising and Sanders and Biden debating healthcare), the candidates still mostly played it safe. But playing it safe isn’t going to help them against Trump. It’s like bringing a knife to a gunfight, and we all know how that ends.
Either Democrats want to win, or they want to lose, but it’s time to stop playing softball. They’re in the major leagues, and the person who showcases an ability to compete at the highest level is the person who will have the best shot at winning the Democratic nomination. Democrats could learn one thing from Trump: Projecting strength and a fighting spirit can take you a long way. They would be wise to showcase that in future debates.
Shermichael Singleton (@Shermichael_) is a Republican strategist and political analyst regularly appearing on MSNBC.
