The 2020 democratic debate lays the groundwork for an accelerating campaign

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Often, the impact of a debate becomes clear only in the following days, when the exchanges that did not immediately resonate take on added significance as the campaign rolls over.

There is a wealth of material for each campaign to exploit to correct the weaknesses of rival candidates. And the team of President Donald Trump must have looked with joy at the comments on firearms and health care accumulated for announcements of general attack.

During this race, nothing indicates that the debates modify the hierarchy of the candidates. But the clashes serve to expose the complex layers of the campaign and to give clues on its possible evolution.

The upper level can freeze up

The debate has solidified the top of the hierarchy in this race and none of the leading candidates should fade away quickly in the crucial Iowa caucus approach in February.

Former Vice President Joe Biden had an uneven night but Thursday was his best performance so far in his campaign. Senator Elizabeth Warren was relatively quiet but made no big mistake. And Senator Bernie Sanders will have delighted his strong supporters but does not seem to have solved the puzzle of expanding his base.
The debates confirm that there is really only one problem in the Democratic primary.

However, these three people have not yet managed to explode each other. It's a thing to watch as the race really begins.

Outdoor despair

From now on, time is running out for everyone else.

Candidates for the low election must bow to the next rank. The subtle insinuations of Julian Castro at Biden's age, Beto O. Rourke's promise to confiscate the assault rifles, and an apparent Kamala Harris turn against Trump under the eyes aimed at the camera are an undeniable sign that the pressure to stand out is starting to show.

In the coming weeks, liquidity maintenance will become even more important as candidates build early-stage machines and buy advertising. They must therefore show donors that they still have a chance and that there is a reason to continue. The success of this debate will depend on the success of third-quarter fundraising at the end of the month.

The businessman Andrew Yang presented a new way of attracting attention, turning his campaign into a draw to give $ 1,000 per month to 10 people for one year to highlight his income plan basic universal.

Biden and the question of age

Castro's pile was clumsy. By repeatedly asking Biden: "You forget what you said two minutes ago?" The former secretary of the HUD has created empathy for the former vice president.

But make no mistake, many other candidates are happy that this is happening and even happier that Castro stepped on the mine before having to do it – their post-debate interviews are proof of that.

Joe Biden has his best evening of debate - and that might be enough

"Many people are concerned about Joe Biden's ability to carry the ball down the line without fumbling," Booker told CNN's Anderson Cooper at the end of the debate. Harris was questioned several times about "New Day" about the Castro assault, but clearly chose not to criticize his author or defend Biden.

The question of whether the former vice president is fit for the rigors of the presidency and facing Trump will not go away. It's one of his biggest weaknesses and, as even Biden has said, it's a fair game for opponents to explore. And Biden himself put it on the table by basing his campaign in a discussion about the possibility of being elected.

If you fall into the debate on Democrats next month, the issue will be back in the foreground.

The moderates awakened

The dominant discourse is that the Democrats, led by Sanders, Warren, and the militant base, take the Democrats so far to the left that they risk alienating the political center of America.

Biden, Harris, South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Senator Amy Klobuchar and O. Rourke have all had strong moments, pushing a pragmatic policy to reflect the realities of Washington.

Their strategy is likely to become a more open theme of the contest as the first candidates come forward.

The schism on the ground is particularly evident when it comes to health care – whether it be to rely on Obamacare or to fully participate in the Medicare for All initiative.

The third debate shows why the primary democrats might take some time to decide

There are signs that Warren might well cover his bets and try to give himself some leeway to return to the center during a general election campaign. But his phrase that "I've never met anyone who loves their health insurance company" may deter Americans who do not want to give up the plans provided by their employer.

Trump will certainly emphasize this if she ends up becoming her Democratic opponent and reinforce the statements of the moderates that progressives lead Democrats into a dead end.

O 'Rourke on guns: brave move or historical mistake?

Another moment starting on Thursday is sure to find its way into an attack announcement: O 'Rourke's wish: "Good God, yes, let's take your AR-15, your AK -47. " His call for a mandatory firearms redemption system was a passionate response to the slaughter of his hometown, El Paso, and a strategy designed to help his underperforming campaign attract attention.

There is an argument that the firearms policy is changing and that Washington has not yet understood the message. But O'Rourke also risks playing on the GOP's dogma that any gun control is a ruse for Democrats to confiscate law-abiding guns. This is a claim that is already feeding the Conservative media. And the prospective Democratic candidate will have to answer several times for O 'Rourke's comment.

A prominent Democrat is already angry with O & # Rourke.

"I honestly think this clip will be aired for years at Second Amendment rallies with organizations trying to scare people into saying," Democrats are picking up your guns, "Delaware Sen. Chris Coons said Friday. in CNN's "Newsroom".

The trump in the room

The Democratic debate sometimes seemed from another era. Candidates seriously argue over politics, pursue traditional political attacks, and fire pre-planned zingers.

Trump blew up such conventional political codes by destroying the GOP field in 2016. Assuming he shows up for next fall's presidential debates, anyone who emerges from the Democratic race will have to deal with the extravagant style and muscular of the president.

While Democrats were arguing over the nuances of health care, Trump was counter-programming a swirling campaign speech at a Republican retreat in Baltimore. He denounced the ban on plastic straws, complained of energy-saving light bulbs, said Trump, made it look orange and included a strange reference to the about Republican minority House leader Kevin McCarthy.
The 33 most overflowing lines of Donald Trump's speech in Baltimore

"Kevin is just like a cow, he's just smaller," said Trump.

Overall, the race for the Democratic presidency marks an implicit bet on the fact that Americans are tired of the Trump Act – and that offering clear plans on issues like health care is an antidote to the madness that shakes the White House every day.

Biden played the most obvious role up here for Trump's killer role. Harris joined the game on Thursday night, which means that the question of the ability to elect will be more and more important in the coming weeks.

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