The biggest misfortune tonight, IMO,

[MontanaFarmer]

is that John Hickenlooper, Marianne Williamson, Andrew Yang, and Eric Swalwell were on the stage and Steve Bullock wasn't. He won't be the nominee, either, but would/ will add more than any of those folks to a dem debate.

[Bradshaw3]

1. Totally agree

Bullock has been a successful, pretty progressive Democratic governor in a red state. I understand the DNC had to come up with some formula for this many candidates but this needs to be reworked in the future.

[technotwit]

2. as long as we don't let everyone running in the debate

[link:https://www.fec.gov/data/candidates/president/?election_year=2020&cycle=2020&election_full=true|

[2naSalit]

3. I suspect he may qualify for the next round.

I agree that some have little or no chance, I don't understand why they run. I hope Bullock will hang in until the next debate(s).

I have been thankful for his leadership here.

[brooklynite]

4. Why do you see Bullock as a better option than Hickenlooper?

[MontanaFarmer]

10. I just think he's a more compelling candidate.

He has some, but much less, connection to the energy industry. He's been able to expand Medicaid in a state with a Republican legislature. In my opinion he has a better understanding of agriculture, which is of interest to me. He was attorney general here, so should have a decent plan for restoring some semblance of integrity at DOJ. IMO he's just a slightly more interesting and better choice in many ways.

[brooklynite]

12. I don't think that, from a progressive standpoint, Bullock's energy policy is better

He has argued that it’s impossible to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy in the next 15 to 20 years — longer than the time scientists say is left for action — and that states like his own ought to test technologies that would capture carbon emissions.

“You often hear a false choice: You can either address climate change or we can continue to produce power from coal and fossil fuels, but not both,” he said in 2017. “And I think we need to reject this choice.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/14/us/politics/steve-bullock-on-the-issues.html

[MontanaFarmer]

14. Matter of opinion, I guess;

I know folks in Colorado think Hickenlooper is too beholden to energy companies to ever do anything meaningful on climate. I don't see Bullock that way. He's certainly taken some pro- energy positions in the past (mostly relating to the colstrip plants and related mining). Also, he's not totally wrong, and here's why: American consumers are 100% addicted to cheap power. We're not giving up cheap power in defense of the climate. You know we need to, I know we need to, the whole world knows, but it isn't happening until renewables can replace fossils economically. So major investment is needed in renewables, but major investment is also needed in trying to develop capture technology, because I don't believe humans are smart enough to save ourselves in the time we have to do it, simply by cutting emissions. I think we as a species are proving that every day.

[Honeycombe8]

5. I wonder who Steve Bullock is.

But I thought Hickenlooper & Williamson had a lot to add to the debate. Surprisingly so.

Swalwell made the #1 point repeatedly, and it was a good one: pass the torch.

[Blue_true]

7. Two term Governor of Montana. Has been pretty good. nt

[hlthe2b]

6. Agree. Hickenlooper has more potential, but the rest need to go.

[JI7]

8. wouldn't it be funny if he ends up the nominee . i think he could do well in Iowa

but not sure of the southern states. it would depend on who else is still in the race.

[Rhiannon12866]

9. Stephen Colbert apparently felt the same way! "Governor Steve Bullock Gets His Chance To Debate:"

From his live show tonight!

Governor Steve Bullock Gets His Chance To Debate

Sure, twenty candidates qualified for the first round of Democratic debates. But only one candidate qualified for the 'All Governor Steve Bullock' debate.

[bullwinkle428]

11. Didn't Bullock qualify for the next debate? Will be a great opportunity

to make his mark.

[brooklynite]

13. No - he met one of the debate thresholds (polling)...

...but since there are more than 20 candidates, there's a ranking of how they did on both polling and fundraising.