Democratic Primary Debate: Final Grades for Every Candidate

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

After the two night, six hour marathon of the Democratic 2020 primary debates in Detroit, the dust has settled. Here, Rolling Stone presents our consolidated letter grades for the performance of all 20 candidates, over both nights, assessing the contenders’ effectiveness of message, their clarity of purpose, the sting of their attacks, and their success in avoiding gaffes, self-owns, and face-plants.

Elizabeth Warren: A

Warren delivered another commanding debate performance. She made the case for Democrats to stir the passions of their base by choosing a candidate and a platform worth fighting for. Taking an implicit dig at Biden and the caution that girds his case, Warren said: “We can’t choose a candidate we don’t believe in just because we are scared.” Under constant attack from can’t-do moderates who claimed her plans were “impossible” Warren shot back, targeting John Delaney in particular: “I don’t understand why anybody goes to all the trouble of running for president of the United States just to talk about what we really can’t do and shouldn’t fight for,” she said. “I don’t get it.”

Bernie Sanders: A-

On the first night in Detroit, Sanders stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Warren, fending off centrist attacks and fear-mongering about his signature legislation, Medicare For All. Dismissing these critics as lacking heart and being wrong on the particulars, Bernie barked “I wrote the damn bill!” Standing next to the young Pete Buttigeig (the millennial who flexed that he’d only be in his 40s come 2030) Bernie appeared sharp and nimble, helping put to rest questions about the 77-year-old’s staying power. Like Warren, Sanders benefited from a favorable draw, as both progressives got to tee off on centrist candidates who are languishing at the back of the pack.

Cory Booker: A-

Booker made a case for joining the top tier of candidates, preaching unity and optimism, but still stripping the bark off Biden for the former vice president’s role in creating America’s tragedy of mass incarceration. “Sir, you are trying to shift the view from what you created,” Booker told Biden, directly. “There are people right now in prison for life for drug offenses because you stood up and used that ‘tough on crime’ phony rhetoric that got a lot of people elected but destroyed communities like mine.”

Jay Inslee: A-

Inslee created a moment on his signature issue by confronting Biden on climate change, insisting that true realism in responding to the crisis is accepting the life-and-death stakes the world is now presented with: “Survival is the plan we need,” he said. Wearing Clark Kent specs, Inslee also broadened his message to voters, playing up his many progressive wins as governor of Washington state that he’d like to bring to Washington D.C.

-more-

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/july-democratic-primary-debate-final-grades-866347/

[Sherman A1]

1. I would like to see the grades for

the moderators and the networks.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

2. D- in my opinion

They seemed more interested in stirring up fights between candidates than focusing on issues.

[Sherman A1]

6. I believe

you are being exceptionally generous.

[onetexan]

3. This is BS

"disastrous debate performance in June" for Biden? Clearly biased.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

4. They gave him a B- in spite of that.

[TexasTowelie]

5. I give the Rolling Stone report card a D.

After reading this critique, I now recall why I stopped buying their rag.

[Sherman A1]

7. Just like the 24/7

Breathless Breaking News Cable Infotainment Channels who need to fill airtime between ads for drugs we never knew we needed, RS needs to fill column inches with opinion. Just another talking head from where I sit.

[TexasTowelie]

8. I weight the analysis of Mad Magazine ahead of Rolling Stone. nt

[George II]

9. Inslee, Gillibrand, and Williamson above Biden? Nope.

[left-of-center2012]

10. You know what 'they' say about opinions.

“Opinions are like a__holes; everybody's got one”

[TSIAS]

11. This article is bunk

Somehow Harris received a higher grade than Gabbard. And Delaney got a D. Whether or not you like his politics, Delaney will be sought after for a role in the Administration if he is unable to secure the nomination.

[theaocp]

12. You'll have to pry Delaney away from Faux News.

He likes to cry to conservatives when progressives kick his ass in front of the world. Sad, little man.

[jcgoldie]

13. pretty good ranking

I'd say spot on with the top 4... Williamson's too high, maybe Bullock too, a little rough on Bennet and Delaney should fail is my opinion.