Thinking outloud (something to piss off supporters of anyone! Equal Opportunity venting)

[Joe the Revelator]

So, Hillary had a pretty kickass week. She killed at the debate, Biden didn't split her base, and she totally dominated the GOP Witch Hunt/Shit sandwich that she fed right back to them. He numbers are going to go up, that's a given and she is going to go into the last 100 days as a fully entrenched front runner. She looks really good right now.

I still don't want her to be President.

Bernie's week, not so great, and not because of anything he did (though, if we are being honest with ourselves, he showed that he wasn't quite ready from prime time at the debate. If the debate could have just been opening remarks played on a loop he would have won, handedly.) Unfortunately, they had to talk policies, and while he had some high points, he also had some head scratching low points.

I think Bernie has peaked. I really do. Call it a feeling (Feelings are dumb Joe! what do you know about feelings? why should be trust your gut??) but it's a feeling based on what I'm seeing (no more upcoming game changers for Bernie) and I don't think things look awesome for his campaign. He threw his best shots, but Hillary weathered them.

So, with the missing Linc and Gentlemen Jim gone, we're left with O'Malley. I have been wanting to like Martin all season. So far he has disappointed. His lack of traction is just disapointing, and he has been more milquetoast than rock star. However, with only 3 people on stage at the next debate, he has one more last chance to put together a run.

Being honest with ourselves (again) there is a strong contingent of people who don't want anything to do with Hillary, but can't quite get behind Bernie. They, if they were like me, were holding out for Biden to run in during a break in the the debate like John Cena and save the day. Joe made the decision he did, and I support him for it, but maybe, just maybe, the young rock and roll star from Maryland can grab some O'mentum, and make things interesting.

Time will tell. Again, just thinking outloud.

[Armstead]

1. The thing about Bernie that's frustrating......

....Is that he's smart and very three dimensional, and when he gets to actually talking about stuff he has a real grasp of things on all levels. He is also very practical. When he was Mayor of Burlington, for example, he impressed a lot of people with his abilities as an administrator and ability to do all the boring things like provide city services and make operations more efficient. And he really does give a shit about the problems real people face, and is very empathetic.

But he's so determined to get out his basic anti-oligarchy message that he misses opportunities to show that. He always gets back to his mantra....I think that's because it is a core message and problem that he believes is important to bring out into the light of day.

I totally agree with him about that. But it also means he misses opportunities to broaden his message, and public persona. It makes him seem one dimensional and one issue.

I think if he could, I don't know.....loosen up a bit, I think he could give broaden his base and give Clinton a run for the money

[Joe the Revelator]

2. Good points, all....

Does he have another opening to do that you think? To show his broader appeal? I can't think of another game changer moment, at least one that we can forecast, at the moment. Anything could happen, but I think his moment to *really* challenge Clinton has come, and now gone. He needed ANY of the things that happened in this last week to have gone the other way. Going 0 for 3, politically, is devastating to his campaign.

[Agschmid]

3. I don't think it's over by any means.

He still has strong support in NH, and leads within the margin of error in some polls.

Yes it was a great week for her, but her campaign needs to keep up the pressure on NH voters, as well as continue to secure Iowa.

[Armstead]

6. Doesn't have to be a single game changer

A cumulative string of gradual building support can also create momentum. If he does better in the next debates could cause more people to look more closely at him.

Who knows? A year ago I could not have forseen he;d be running, much less be where he is already.

[artislife]

4. One debate and done?

You may be too fragil for primary season.


There is still a lot left to come.

Put on a smile and place your best foot forward, the future isn't here yet.

[Uncle Joe]

5. Exactly, artislife, this is a marathon, not a sprint.

[artislife]

8. :)

People will settle down and then remember who she is and what she has done.

[Joe the Revelator]

7. I've been around a lot of primaries, I just know that Bernie is on the ropes 100 days out.

Promise you that i'm not fragile! Maybe an eternal optimist for a O'M insurgence.