Why Hillary Clinton, not Bernie Sanders, 'won' the CNN town hall

[riversedge]

Anyone who really watched and listened to Hillary last night will agree. I do.


Why Hillary Clinton, not Bernie Sanders, 'won' the CNN town hall

http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/04/opinions/democratic-town-hall-sanders-clinton-louis/index.html
Errol Louis

By Errol Louis, CNN Political Commentator

Updated 2:36 AM ET, Thu February 4, 2016


Errol Louis: Sanders, Clinton mostly avoided negative attacks at town hall, where Clinton won the night with her well-rounded presentation
Louis: Clinton parried Sanders on progressivism, connected with audience. Sanders must show himself as more than spokesman for a cause

....................

(CNN)Bernie Sanders, fresh from a virtual tie in Iowa, moved through CNN's Democratic Town Hall meeting in New Hampshire by mostly keeping to his policy of not "going negative" against Hillary Clinton.

Which is not to say there was no parry and thrust on issues. But Clinton's mild jabs at Sanders weren't what made it a winning night for her: the real advantage the former secretary of state realized Wednesday night was in her ability to connect with voters as a wife and grandmother, as well as a polished political professional.
..................................


But Clinton did not let Sanders criticisms stand, answering point by point, and stealing the show with a more well-rounded presentation.

To the issue of progressive bona fides, she countered that "Sen. Sanders has set himself up to be the gatekeeper on who is the progressive...I'm a progressive that likes to get things done." Sanders has called for sweeping proposals for higher taxes, universal government-paid health insurance and massive spending on infrastructure, which some have called unrealistic in the current political climate. "It's hard to see how any of his policies would ever be achievable," said Clinton.

Clinton's advantage shone when she talked effusively and at length about the joys of watching her granddaughter say some of her first words (including "Grandma!&quot . And Clinton played to a key strength, the chance to make history by electing the first woman president.

"I'm going to try and break the highest and hardest glass ceiling," she told a town hall participant.

The lesson is clear for Sanders: he has to decide if he wants to win an argument or win the nomination. He can, in some sense, out-point Clinton among progressives by continually promising sweeping change and pointing out her centrist votes and decisions.

But that won't give Sanders the ultimate victory. Clinton's ability to connect with voters and ask them to make history are a heady combination that many voters respond to. ..................

[Thinkingabout]

1. It just may be more moderates likes Hillary's agenda and don't

Like Bernie's agenda. Disparaging a large percentage of the Democratic voting base will not win elections.

[Punkingal]

2. I don't think she won.