# South Carolina Democratic Debate tonight. **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 25, 2020, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516 "2020-02-25T21:43:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2020, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516/141 "2020-02-26T23:55:05Z")
So you have nothing but false assertions to contribute to the thread? Okay. ---
**Author:** ![Socsback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Socsback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Socsback)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2020, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516/142 "2020-02-27T00:05:04Z")
Giving up evening electronics for Lent. Going to go do something worthwhile. Have a great evening, Snowboarder. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2020, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516/143 "2020-02-27T00:14:17Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](#): > > It has nothing to do with being young or idealistic. I’m almost 40 Which makes you a Millennial. > [@Velocity](#): > > Considering that Bernie is going to great lengths to point out that “Democratic socialism is\*\*\* not at all \*\*\*the same as what happened in Cuba or Venezuela,” why is he then even mentioning Cuba at all? This would be like a Republican claiming that he doesn’t support fascism, yet trying to point out how Hitler improved Germany’s economy. GREAT way to crystallize it. The impression given is “Castro and the Sandinistas had the right idea, but made some mistakes, so I will fine-tune their approach, avoid making some of the same mistakes they did.” And in fact this is exactly what his most hardcore supporters want! But it’s not what the majority of Americans want, to put it mildly. > [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](#): > > My point was about a hypothetical reaction by a hypothetical **Slacker** -analog to a hypothetical Buttigieg who said this particular thing. Looks like you need to work on your analogies. This is what I wrote about Buttigieg last March, and I never became more favorable toward him: > [@Who is Pete Buttigieg?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-pete-buttigieg/831032/92): > > He’s very smart and articulate, but he also looks very young, even for 37 (which is young in presidential politics even if you don’t look young for your age), and has a weak chin. Seems like the kind of guy who ought to aim for a career as an appointed official in Democratic administrations, something like that. Note that I didn’t say he was a bad candidate because his position on this or that was wrong. I think that’s a naive way to look at politics, beyond the broad scope of choosing one party or the other based on which one has policies you like better. Once you do that, you look for the ones you can most easily market to the low-information chumps who swing back and forth from election to election based on anything but a deep, sober, evaluation of the issues. > [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](#): > > It is my belief that if a time-travelling wizard took the statements “In politics, truth isn’t truth” and “I appreciate his integrity of sticking to his opinions, but they do not serve him one iota. Never have. Never will.” back in time 6 months to when Democrats expected this primary season to go very differently, center-left Democrats would consider these overwhelmingly distasteful, Republicany and post-truth things to say. If the wizard added the additional context that these were statements made about the “truth” and the “opinion” that helping kids learn to read is good, even if a socialist is doing it, I’m pretty sure I would have to give you more than a few guesses before you said “oh! Those will be our opinions!” You’re just wrong. You can go all the way back to the Nineties, when I adored Bill Clinton because he was so good at snowing the rubes. You could see that Republicans knew he was full of shit, but they couldn’t convince swing voters of it, and it drove the GOP up the wall with frustration. I loved it! To sum up: you are vastly underestimating my cynicism about politics. But it’s not a bitter cynicism, at least not when the Democrats are being smart politically: it’s a gleeful, opportunistic cynicism. (When they give in to idealistic naivete, it does shift to frustration and bitterness.) ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2020, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516/144 "2020-02-27T00:25:13Z")
Your particular individual strain of this disease is immaterial to the point I was making. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2020, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516/145 "2020-02-27T00:29:45Z")
Not when you say “Slacker-analog”. And I believe you are overestimating the degree to which other pragmatic center-left Dems idealistically swoon over their preferred candidates. They may resist articulating it quite as nakedly as I do, but fundamentally they are looking for a showhorse who will win the competition, not a workhorse who will be best at the job. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2020, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516/146 "2020-02-27T00:37:08Z")
OK ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2020, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516/147 "2020-02-27T01:20:07Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > To sum up: you are vastly underestimating my cynicism about politics. But it’s not a bitter cynicism, at least not when the Democrats are being smart politically: it’s a gleeful, opportunistic cynicism. (When they give in to idealistic naivete, it does shift to frustration and bitterness.) FWIW, I’m not underestimating your cynical appreciation for opportunistic disingenuousness. I think it’s a pretty important thing for everyone to remember when they read your posts. You, on the other hand, are vastly overestimating the relevance of your opinions. Your calls for Obama to be a savior are, as I stated earlier, difficult to satirize. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2020, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516/148 "2020-02-27T02:15:50Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Guarantee! Ha! Love it - I love your magical powers! Magical indeed! ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2020, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516/149 "2020-02-27T02:21:32Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Impact on me as a center Left Democrat who has been no fan of Sanders: > > Bloomberg does not have what it takes. > > Biden might after all. > > I am more optimistic about the prospects with a Sanders led ticket than I was. Bloomberg might have what it takes, but he might not have the time to evolve. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2020, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516/150 "2020-02-27T02:49:20Z")
I think Bloomberg might have what it takes, as far as his GOTV, ground game and general organization go. I’m not writing him off til I see his Tuesday numbers. He’s built a lot of city level associations that he might have set to surprise his polling numbers next week. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2020, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516/151 "2020-02-27T02:53:12Z")
Would be fun to see Bloomberg come out on top or No. 2 after Super Tuesday, yup. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2020, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516/152 "2020-02-27T04:09:43Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > FWIW, I’m not underestimating your cynical appreciation for opportunistic disingenuousness. I think it’s a pretty important thing for everyone to remember when they read your posts. I do too, and I actually appreciate this even though I know you think it’s a subtle way to snarkily throw shade. 😛 And while Obama may not be coming to save us, Clyburn has given us a pretty good start and I love him for it. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2020, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516/153 "2020-02-27T05:08:30Z")
[CBS News did some post-debate polling](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/south-carolina-debate-watchers-most-impressed-by-sanders-and-biden-cbs-news-poll/) and found that more viewers thought Sanders made the best case that he could beat Trump. Here’s the two most important (IMO) polls they did: Who impressed you in the debate? 45% Sanders 43% Biden 40% Warren 38% Buttigieg 31% Klobuchar 25% Bloomberg 24% Steyer Who made the best case that they could beat Trump? 26% Sanders 21% Biden 12% Warren 11% Bloomberg 8% Buttigieg 6% Klobuchar 2% Steyer ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2020, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516/154 "2020-02-27T05:09:37Z")
Bloomberg, you better drop another hundred million in S.C. in the next 24 hours. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2020, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516/155 "2020-02-27T05:29:25Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > [CBS News did some post-debate polling](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/south-carolina-debate-watchers-most-impressed-by-sanders-and-biden-cbs-news-poll/) and found that more viewers thought Sanders made the best case that he could beat Trump. > > Here’s the two most important (IMO) polls they did: > > Who impressed you in the debate? > > 45% Sanders > 43% Biden > 40% Warren > 38% Buttigieg > 31% Klobuchar > 25% Bloomberg > 24% Steyer > > Who made the best case that they could beat Trump? > > 26% Sanders > 21% Biden > 12% Warren > 11% Bloomberg > 8% Buttigieg > 6% Klobuchar > 2% Steyer This info tells us absolutely nothing about whether Bernie can win in November. Absolutely _nothing_. For pete’s sake, 74% of the people who watched this debate (presumable semi-engaged Democrats) don’t even think Bernie made the best case to beat Trump. What in the hell is so important about this? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2020, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516/156 "2020-02-27T06:11:29Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > This info tells us absolutely nothing about whether Bernie can win in November. Absolutely _nothing_. For pete’s sake, 74% of the people who watched this debate (presumable semi-engaged Democrats) don’t even think Bernie made the best case to beat Trump. What in the hell is so important about this? I re-read my post that you quoted and I didn’t see anywhere that I indicated that the poll told us whether or not Bernie can win in November, nor did I see where I indicated that I thought the poll was of supreme importance. Could you point those out? :dubious: :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2020, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516/157 "2020-02-27T06:13:17Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I re-read my post that you quoted and I didn’t see anywhere that I indicated that the poll told us whether or not Bernie can win in November, nor did I see where I indicated that I thought the poll was of supreme importance. Could you point those out? > > :dubious: > > :rolleyes: You mentioned that those were “important.” (I never claimed anything about “supreme” importance, but way to sneak that goalpost in there.) Still, I don’t see how in the hell they are even remotely important, since the only important thing is beating Trump. :dubious::rolleyes: right back atchya. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2020, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516/158 "2020-02-27T06:33:38Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > [SIZE=“4”]Who made the best case that they could beat Trump? > > 26% Sanders So as \*\*Happy \*\*said, 74% believe the current national frontrunner did NOT make the best case that he could beat Trump. :dubious: CNN’s John Avlon made a great quip on the Forecast Fest podcast about Bernie’s Cuba defense: “It’s like being accused of being a communist, and objecting that you’re not a Stalinist, you’re a Trotskyite!” One thing they said that does concern me: they said there’s a coordinated South Carolina GOP campaign to get their voters (who don’t have a primary) to go vote for Bernie. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2020, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516/159 "2020-02-27T08:01:54Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > warren and sanders have a non aggression pact. they will not attack each other. I’m not seeing it - [Warren had no problem blasting Bernie directly in the S.C. debate over his stance on DNC superdelegates.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/watch-elizabeth-warren-tell-sanders-045424343.html) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2020, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516/160 "2020-02-27T21:12:31Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > You mentioned that those were “important.” (I never claimed anything about “supreme” importance, but way to sneak that goalpost in there.) Still, I don’t see how in the hell they are even remotely important, since the only important thing is beating Trump. Context is everything but apparently not _your_ thing. I said they were the important polls _of the ones posted at the link I gave_. I made no claim that they were important in and of themselves, just that I thought they had more relevance than the others posted at the link. YMMV, obviously. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-democratic-debate-tonight/848516.md?page=9)