I want to be happy that we’re down to only seven candidates qualifying for this debate but I’m not. We currently have a billionaire that bought his way in while a legitimate candidate dropped out recently. Sen. Kamala Harris was a shining light on the stage and an example to women and people of color everywhere — a reminder that people other than rich white men can and should run for office. She was in my top 3 and I was really bummed when I heard the news. Especially as I see Tulsi, Uncle Joe, Marianne and Tom still somehow in the race.
But what is even more bothersome to me is that with Kamala out, there is no longer anyone on the debate stage that represents a race other than white. Cory Booker and Julián Castro didn’t qualify for this round. I know I’ve been vocal about supporting Elizabeth Warren (and voting blue no matter what) but Julián Castro should be on stage. Kamala Harris should still be around. Cory Booker should be on the stage. Representation matters and rich old white guys do not represent me or a majority of the Democratic voters. So this is my ask of you — donate to some campaigns, even if it’s $5.
We’ve been through a lot lately with the impeachment hearings, impeach vote and Joe Biden calling the drug that most states are legalizing a gateway drug. Don’t let Grandpa Joe catch you partaking before dealing with your crazy family this holiday season. First you’re smoking whacky tobacco and then the next thing you know you’re doing sketchy things for meth. That’s just how it works, I don’t make the rules.
So buckle in — 2020 will be here soon and we only have like 7 more Democratic debates featuring too many cooks in the kitchen.
Joe Biden: Aside from being Big Mad at the GOP, stumbling all night, talking about wind solar batteries (that are TOXIC WASTE AND BAD), he also managed to imitate a child with a speech impediment about 20 minutes after talking about disabilities. It has been noted that he overcame a stutter as a child and felt like it was fine. But the way he went about it was wrong and really upset a lot of people. And when he misunderstood a question he attacked the moderator saying he was joking. Big yikes. Do us all a favor and drop out.
Line of the night: No. Nothing good came from his mouth.
Pete Buttigieg: Mayor Pete was defensive as hell tonight and it just came off as petty. He tried (and failed) to fight the two women on stage. Amy shut him up with a “respect us” comment about all the combined experience on stage after he mocked it. I’m honestly really tired of him in the stage.
Line of the night: “If you’re in the top 10%, why don’t you pay your own tuition?” (On wealth/taxing/free education)
Amy Klobuchar: Amy actually kind of killed it tonight. More confidence than I’ve ever seen from her and defending herself and Liz Warren? 😍 She invoked MLK, Stacey Abrams and Ruth Bader Ginsburg too.
Line of the night: I have two. “It all comes down to one “R” — returning to sanity.” And when the guys got to answer a question about needing more women and less old white men (in the way): “Thank you for asking a woman this question.” FINISH HIM, Amy!
Bernie Sanders: My notes don’t reflect a lot aside from saying his Day One goals would be to restore DACA, keep federal agents from snatching babies at the border and bring all of our people together.
Line of the night: (In response to Joe Biden telling him to quit raising his hand) “I’m just waving at you Joe.”
Tom Steyer: Honestly, he had a better night than I expected. He puts his money where his mouth is on climate change and he doesn’t mind the wealth tax. Should he be up there though? No.
Line of the night: “President Trump is not against immigration. He’s against immigration of non-white people.”
Elizabeth Warren: First off, “in the blink of a tweet” gave me life. As did calling out corruption. Saying “Rich people in smoke-filled rooms will not pick the next President of the United States” in response to Mayor Pete’s recent wine cave fundraiser = 👸🏻 But what was the best part of the night (aside from not letting the moderators cut her off)? See below.
Line of the night: After being told she would be the oldest person ever inaugurated – “I’d also be the youngest woman ever inaugurated.” And at that moment, I cried into my wine glass. That wasn’t consumed in a cage.
Andrew Yang: I will say this: I need Andrew Yang and his math pin on stage to keep me sane instead of polishing off a bottle of wine on a weeknight. Yeah, democracy dollars and book plugs get old, but he makes me laugh. Like Yang, I too am disappointed that he was the only person of color on the stage and got almost no talking time. Bring Booker and Castro back so this can we can better represent this country.
Line of the night: “If you get too many men, and leave us along for a while… we kind of become morons.” (On the comment from President Obama on bringing more women in and less old men.)
Winner of the debate: Bringing up trans rights (even if a lot of answers sucked). Not having Tulsi “Present” Gabbard there. And Tom Steyer’s recycled yet festive tie.