Predictions for tonight's debates

[pinebox]

I was thinking about this last night late at night (ahhh how the mid doth wander at 2am) and I thought I'd put together a very short little list of some observations which I think we will see in tonight's debates.

*O'Malley will be the attack dog. This bodes well for Sanders which will serve to reinforce his positioning against Hillary as O'Malley will hit hit Hillary on just about everything and she's going to be hit very hard. Bernie will use this not to attack Hillary but as a springboard to show America how far to the left he is of Hillary and explain what makes him a different candidate tan Hillary and how he views things so very differently.

*Hillary will have to defend her flip flopping. This will be a very big issue and she's going to have to defend herself on her flip flopping on many issues. I expect to see her defending her stances on LGBT issues, TPP, KXL, immigration and other things which are very hot button issues. How she does and how she explains her "evolving" (as her supporters call it) will be a key issue for future support. In fact this will be an issue as I have CNN on now and they're saying this will basically be a debate question.

*Webb and Chafee, the debates are theirs. America is completely unaware of both candidates existence. This is very much a coming out party for both contenders and personally, unless either one has something drastic which will really shake the headlines, I think they're basically vying for a VP spot. Stranger things have happened though & I look forward to hearing both gentlemen.

*Sanders will wow the American people. Let's face it, there's a huge reason why Sanders is raising massive amounts of cash without a SuperPAC and why he is having the largest turnout of any Democrat at his rally's.The news tomorrow will be about Sanders and "where has this guy been?!"

*Typical talking points out of all contenders on the issues. We'll hear the typical issue stuff like SS, EDU, equality, gun control and immigration but there will be some new stuff thrown in too, most notably BLM. I also think we'll hear the praises of Obamacare BUT health care will be an object of contention as Sanders supports single payer and Medicare for all where as Hillary does not.

It's going to be an awesome night folks!

[peacebird]

1. I think Hillary will attack as well. Wonder if Biden will show up? That would be a game changer...

[DemocratSinceBirth]

2. I predict all our candidates will acquit themselves admirably. I predict Biden will...

watch the debate from the vice president's residence.

[pinebox]

5. Same

n/t

[underpants]

3. The next President will be standing on the stage

I think it will be very civil

[Le Taz Hot]

4. And a very outside possibility:

Joe Biden enters the race by showing up at the debates thereby completely obfuscating any of the lesser-known candidates' message and since he's just as much of a corporate shill as Hillary is, the bought-and-paid-for DNC "wins" again.

[Honeylies]

13. CNN keeps showing stills of the lonely shrink wrapped podium ready for Biden

It's kind of sad. Is that supposed to keep viewers on the edge of our seats ready to watch the debate?

[Thinkingabout]

6. Wow, Hillary defending her flip flops, okay, then the other flip flops will also have to be defended

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

8. lol...Hillary has more flip-flops than groupees at a Jimmy Buffet concert.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2016!!!

[Thinkingabout]

20. She isnt the only one.

[Honeylies]

7. I think O'Malley will go after Sanders. Hard.

He attacked Sanders from the get go and is probably floored that Sanders is #2 in the polls instead of him, and drawing the progressive support that OMalley probably thought he should be getting. Or he'll go heavy on both Sanders and Hillary. But I definitely don't think he'll try to do Bernie any favors.

[FSogol]

9. When has he ever attacked Sanders? n/t

[Honeylies]

11. OMalleys SuperPAC ran attack ads against Sanders in June

which backfired after Bernie's campaign used the attacks to raise campaign donations.

OMalley has peppered interviews and campaign speeches with comments about Bernie being a democrat just for the presidential race. It's not Trump vs. Carly level nasty attacks by any means, I simply think is trying to position himself to usurp Bernie as the progressive alternative. What other option does he have strategically? He's at like what, 1%? Going after Hillary is just going to help Bernie, unless he takes Bernie down a few notches too.

[FSogol]

14. As you are aware, candidates have no conenction to SuperPacs and O'Malley

criticized them for that ad.

When you say "not Trump vs. Carly level nasty attacks by any means," you are really saying that you are wrong about your "He attacked Sanders from the get go."



You are essentially complaining because O'Malley is running for President.

[Honeylies]

21. Go on thinking theres no connection if you want...

but the Superpac ad's subject material mirrored the talking points OMalley was giving at the time. So that was pretty nice of them to support his campaign strategy. OMalley's campaign staff also made supporting statements about the ad. I haven't seen the pro-OMalley SuperPAC put any ads out against Hillary, but I could be wrong. TV ads are expensive, so for them to invest in anti-Bernie ads tells me he was a bigger target for them at that point.

And no, I'm not complaining about OMalley running at all. I think it's great he entered the race. Please don't put words in my mouth. But FWIW, Bernie did manage to fly past OMalley in the polls without without taking cheap shots in interviews or out on the campaign trail. But I also think it's fair and necessary for candidates to differentiate themselves from the rest of the pack. I personally don't think OMalley has been very compelling in that regard and that may be why he's trailing.

My first post was simply commenting on what I think O'Malley's likely or best debate strategy would be. He's attacked both Sanders and Clinton in the past, I personally think he's going nowhere, but I think he'll try to chip away at Sanders in this debate. We'll see tonight!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

10. Sure, why not? M'OM has no shot at the VP slot with Bernie in the general.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2016!!!

[Honeylies]

12. No kidding!

I wonder who Bernie would pick. He wouldn't say at the MTP interview last weekend. He's focused on winning the primary first. As much as I like the idea of Warren on the ticket, I would hate to lose her role in the Senate. Can we elect some Warren/Sanders clones to fill some Congressional seats too?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

15. I'll take Elizabeth as the first woman VP, giving the Dems the best chance at winnin the WH, over just bein 1 of 100 votes in a dysfunctional Senate, tyvm.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2016!!!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

16. Bernie in a landslide! Count on it!

Feel the Bern!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2016!!!

[Robbins]

19. here is mine

Clinton-she will be very scripted.she may even get softball questions.she will hit bernie on guns.beyond that her attacks will mostly be on republicans.her stragedy is to act like she is nominee and other dems are ilrelvent

Bernie-i think closest to attacking her he will make is to say he has been consent.otherwise it's about the issues and introducing himself to american people

O'Malley-he is going to try to make himself relvent.he will hit clinton hard.with bernie i suspect he will make comment he is one who has actully accomplished progressive goals.

Webb-if he's serious this is night to make his mark. I expect him to attack Clinton on foreign policy.if anyone goes after Bernie for
being too far left it will be webb

Chaffe-i expect him to go after Clinton on foregin policy.

Don't be surprised if someone tries to bring up bernie not being a real democrat.Chaffe could even say while i became an actual democrat.

Webb and Chaffe are kind of wild cards.

still i expect MSM to try to pump Clinton while many watching to be impressed with Bernie.