Biden-Sanders debate Official Thread- 1

[brooklynite]

Biden and Sanders are already on stage (making notes).

I can't imaging why either would need to. This debate calls for a soulful and personal discussion between the two. No pre-set punchlines.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

1. I hope it's civil. This is a time for reconciliation.

[brooklynite]

2. Not clear why Sanders was beating up Biden TODAY on changing his college costs position.

[still_one]

31. Exactly, he should welcome it with open arms. I think Sanders is going to be disappointed that his

attitude is not going to play well

However, that has been his entire campaign since he hired Gary, Sirota, and Turner

[brooklynite]

3. 15 seconds to go.

[nolabear]

4. Welp, here goes.

[brooklynite]

5. I wouldn't have gone with the dramatic music if I were CNN

[brooklynite]

6. Jack Tapper, Dana Bash and Univision's Ilia Calderon

[brooklynite]

7. First question on Coronavirus...

Didn't see that coming...

[brooklynite]

8. 90 seconds for responses and rebuttals

[brooklynite]

9. Both candidates asked what they would do about Coronavirus

[Sloumeau]

10. Ugh, it's CNN. That means more "Bernie how much do you hate Joe?" and...

more "Joe, how much do you hate Bernie?" questions.

[brooklynite]

13. Hasn't happened so far

Why don't you wait until it happens before complaining?

[Cha]

56. Oh maybe just from experience.. a wild

guess as to why Sloumeau is entitled to voice their opinion on cnn now.

[brooklynite]

11. Biden: laid out a detailed plan last week

1. Take care of those who are, or are likely to be expose. Use WHO test kits.

2. Make sure every State had 10 locations with drive-through testing. Plan for additional hospital beds.

3. Deal with economic impact.

[brooklynite]

12. Sanders: Shut Trump up; he's confusing general public.

Move aggressively that every person will be covered financially for any Coronavirus testing/treatment.

[demtenjeep]

18. I liked that

he has some good lines at times



like last time when he said no one cares about the damn emails

[brooklynite]

14. Q to Biden: Did bureaucratic red tape hinder US response?

A. No. WHO offered tests which Trump rejected.

[brooklynite]

15. Biden needs to try for shorter responses.

[LizBeth]

19. They really should have addressed this sooner. Like um, Obama um, always, um saying um um

throughout um, his speaking, um. LOl. That use to drive me bats, but he worked it out of his speech.

[Squinch]

106. All he really needs to do is play out the clock. The longer the response the better.

[frazzled]

16. No, Bernie! Don't tell people to go to the doctor!

They’re emphasizing that people not go to their doctor or the emergency room. You’re supposed to call. A physician will determine if your symptoms suggest you should be tested, and you will be sent to the appropriate place.

[LizBeth]

22. So, lack of being informed, he got that wrong too. GIVE me a person that actually does the leg work

to give us the information we legitimately need.

[frazzled]

36. Well, and after criticizing

Trump for confusing people, he’s giving out the wrong advice himself. And then turning it into an ad for Medicare for All, which has zero to do with having enough testing or hospital beds, or equipment to address a novel pandemic that may affect millions.

[LizBeth]

43. Right. I have found him do that a number of times in situational instances. More than once.

He does nto get informed before speaking. The lazy way. I think that is indicative of a lifetime.

[Cha]

85. Thank you, frazzled!

[gristy]

157. Well, we already know to call the doctor before we go to the doctor.

When one says "you should go see your doctor" it is implied that "you should call your doctor and make an appointment". So the way Bernie said it isn't a big deal.

[frazzled]

161. No, you're just not supposed to go to the doctor's at all

if you think you might have COVID-19. Or an emergency room. We can’t risk spreading another case, and at this point, we can only test patients who are determined to be at real risk. Wish it were otherwise, but it isn’t.

[brooklynite]

17. Q to Sanders: how do you deal with overloading hospitals?

Sanders pivots to criticism of health care system (uninsured population).

Beating up on pharmaceutical industry.

[still_one]

41. Not a good answer. How do we deal with the crisis NOW Bernie?

[LiberalFighter]

164. That's because he doesn't have experience as President, VP, or Cabinet member.

[Aquaria]

165. Or with the real world. n/t

[highplainsdem]

20. Bernie's back to his stump speech, after being asked how he'd deal with the emergency.

[Cha]

113. Did he say in any way how he would deal

with the Emergency?

There you are! Stay Safe, hpd!

[highplainsdem]

127. It was almost all complaining about the current system.

And he just did it again. We "have to understand how we got here."

[Cha]

131. The ******* Russians and those who Enabled them.

[brooklynite]

21. Q to Biden: would you impose a national lockdown

A,. Would call a meeting of all experts. Listen to them.

[LizBeth]

25. Good answer.

[brooklynite]

23. Biden slaps Sanders over MfA. Not working right now in Italy.

[William769]

26. ...

[brooklynite]

28. Sanders: disfunctionality of health care system is apparent.

[mucifer]

29. But Italians aren't afraid to go to the doctor

Because of no insurance like Italy has so it will be worse

[Demsrule86]

58. Italians over 60 are being allowed to die...their medicare for all type system has failed.

[Demsrule86]

71. Sorry Bernie supporters, Biden is cleaning Sanders clock as I expected in a two person debate

Sanders is offering a stump speech.

[Demsrule86]

82. Biden is knocking it out of the park...showing how much he knows with dealing with countries like

China...Sanders...unprecedented ways must act together...beating up pharmaceuticals again...one trick pony.

[mucifer]

75. That's because they don't have ventilators NOT

Because they have no money and are afraid to go to the doctor for financial reasons

[Demsrule86]

98. A system that doesn't have the equipment needed is not one I wish to emulate. My point stands.

[kcr]

171. Guess what?

https://www.businessinsider.com/us-hospitals-may-be-short-ventilators-as-coronavirus-spreads-2020-3

[treestar]

137. agree this is not about the system or paying

this is an emergency, not normal, so whatever the healthcare system is, it will have troubles. It's a different animal.

[Cha]

119. Whoa

[musicblind]

141. I don't think he should have.

He has a point, and it's okay if he thinks that, but he should keep it to himself until after the primaries because we need to win over as many Sanders supporters as possible. Just my humble opinion.

[lindysalsagal]

24. Biden sounds strong and centered: "like we did"

Keeps referencing obama in Ebola. Good.

[Upthevibe]

34. I'm glad Biden is letting it be known

that we turned down the tests from the WHO. And I'm glad he's saying I agree with Bernie about the hospitals.....

[MustLoveBeagles]

27. Here's the link

https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/2020-democratic-debate-live-updates/index.html

[showblue22]

30. Joe Biden is doing great.

Bernie has a hard tine veering from his stump speech but he is trying.

[George II]

37. And he keeps veering over to that speech, mixing up the healthcare system with this crisis.

[showblue22]

47. Yes. Bernie is going off the nation crises and heading to his usual stump. LOL

[still_one]

48. Exactly. Focus on what we need to do NOW regarding the criisi

[brooklynite]

32. Biden: National crisis response has nothing to do with regular health care rules

[George II]

33. So Sanders is the first to interrupt, and he's now done it twice.

[brooklynite]

35. Biden and Sanders squabbling about whether current legislation covers everyone...

[elleng]

39. Right.

[elleng]

38. Talking past eachother,

sorry to hear it.

[brooklynite]

40. Sanders tries to suggest Coronavirus could lead to NON-virus issues that they can't pay for...

"I consider that a crisis"

[lindysalsagal]

42. Bernie really debating single payer.

Doesn't he ever talk about anything else?

[DaDeacon]

59. does he have too?

The Simple fact that Biden's response is "for this crisis we have single payer" why not for everything?

[polichick]

44. Bernie is correct - corporate Dems will not take on...

their donors to get all Americans covered for healthcare and affordable drugs.

[brooklynite]

51. Where will I find "corporate democrats" in the transcript for this debate?

[TwilightZone]

54. Which has nothing to do with the question asked.

[Cha]

62. But what's new?

[brooklynite]

45. Moderators allowing both to respond to each other...

[William769]

46. Sanders is losing it. Literally.

[Cha]

65. Good to read.. I'm not watching.

[FloridaBlues]

130. I'm not watching either thanks to all informing us

[Cha]

132. Yes, FloridaBlues! Mahalo to all who are Watching

and reporting on DU!

Mahalo!

[onetexan]

70. yes, Bernie's his usual grumpy uncle demeanor airing grievances without any real solutions

Biden is reiterating the detailed COVID19 plan he released several days ago.

[LizBeth]

88. Chip on the shoulders Sanders. I do not know why so many can't see it.

[BeyondGeography]

49. Bernie is showing his limitations and losing

Pivots to MFA talking points. Using ridiculous hypotheticals to get there. Kind of pathetic actually.

[lindysalsagal]

55. Bernie negative. Joe positive. Nuff said.

[Todd79]

50. Joe Sounds Great

Both sound good and this format is by far the most informative without playing to the crowds and ten people who don’t need to be there yelling over each other.

[mucifer]

52. So far they both sound great !

[dchill]

78. Agreed. Some seem to be watching a different debate?

[sop]

53. Biden's being clear, concise and animated, as is Bernie, both look and sound good

[brooklynite]

57. Biden: "I would call out the military" to help with crisis

Much better response than Sanders' pontificating.

[DaDeacon]

64. I will call out the Military to do what?!?!

[DaDeacon]

69. Cult of ignorance ...

There is no military surge for pandemics.

[LizBeth]

101. NY has asked for military. I think they have things that can be done like set up drive in testing.

[Blue_true]

144. The military can handle testing and set up field hospitals that

takes the pressure off regular hospitals. It is a brilliant idea that worked with Ebola in West Africa in 2014.

[LizBeth]

147. Right. !!!

[TwilightZone]

103. He's not talking about a surge.

I presume you're not watching.

He's clearly talking about assistance in building infrastructure - temporary hospitals, testing and treatment centers, etc.

[Squinch]

133. Cult of ignorance? Really? Have you noticed that NY is having the military help with testing?

Or am I just being ignorant in noting that?

[Codeine]

149. Well somebody is certainly ignorant.

The military has portable medical facilities and can be of great assistance in a situation like this.

[arthritisR_US]

170. Only low IQ45 could order them to do so.

[elleng]

74. Build hospitals, bring supplies etc.

[Hav]

79. Biden specifically mentioned helping with the surge

of patients in a major outbreak, for instance with building tents and additional hospital beds.

[TwilightZone]

92. Stuff like this:

https://www.npr.org/2020/03/10/814164923/new-york-state-deploys-national-guard-to-manage-coronavirus-in-nyc-suburb

He's not talking about ramping up the military. He's talking about using the military to help manage the crisis, build temporary testing and treatment centers, etc.

[Blue_true]

143. To administer tests to citizen. President Obama sent the Military Medical Corps

zoo West Africa in 2014 when it looked like Ebola would overrun the world, other countries like Britain, France and Germany followed and sent teams. The issue was resolved and contained.

Biden proposed using military medical corps domestically if COVID-19 overwhelms hospitals. I believe that is an excellent idea.

[Pachamama]

86. Nobody has mentioned the Army Corp of Engineers

In WW 2 the Seabees and the Army Corp of Engineers could build runways and structures in days....

They should be used right now to be building emergency hospitals and ways to be supporting our medical community and communities in general.

[ZZenith]

163. They've largely been replaced by Halliburton et al, I am sad to report.

[napi21]

60. Bernie is being a Pain in MY Ass!@ nt

[edhopper]

61. I would gladly vote for either one

in November.

[tman]

63. Biden being too defensive, when he's in full control.

Makes it look like he's defending the status quo. They could be both bringing this back round to Trump again.

Wasted opportunity.

Bernie not as aggressive as I expected, which is good.

[PatSeg]

145. Bernie seems to be trying to control

his hand gestures.

[Todd79]

66. Biden has been underestimated

Pundits forget that he’s much better in this setting than overcrowded stages.

[Cha]

72. Steady On Joe!

[helpisontheway]

84. I was wondering about that. I remember Obama blowing his

first debate for re-election (was a little rusty) and Biden saved them with his VP debate. Gave the media something else to y’all about. Then Onama improved with the second debate.

[brooklynite]

67. Biden is sounding Presidential; Sanders is sounding political

[nolabear]

77. True dat. It's theoretical to him. Joes been there in some form.

Bernie’s not doing terribly but he’s trying to drag in all his usual economic issues. Joe is really on point.

[frazzled]

91. Yes, cares more about selling his plan for the future

than to save lives now. He only cares about how people will pay than with how you must mobilize special medical and economic forces in the midst of an unprecedented crisis.

He can’t think on his feet. It’s mono vision

[Hav]

68. BS is getting desperate

From a question regarding the corona virus, he again pivots to a Biden attack, this time because of the 2008 bailout...because that is totally related to today's worries.

[Cha]

128. gawd!

[Tarc]

73. Don't really care for this format

No audience, only 2 of em at podiums? Meh.

Would have looked better to sit everyone around a (large, spaced-out) round table.

[DaDeacon]

81. you mean having a fact based debate.

Round table or podiums this is the Debate we should have been having sooner.

[Todd79]

95. I agree

I hate debates in front of audiences. This is great.

[Tarc]

148. I do agree there. I am so glad that we're finally Tulsi-free,

Bloomberg-free, and Steyer-free.

The gimmick candidates are out.

[Skya Rhen]

93. Bernie didn't want a sit down - wanted to show how much stamina he has.

[Music Man]

96. I enjoy the lack of audience.

It feels calmer and more informative, rather than going for applause lines. It has a seriousness to it.

[TwilightZone]

110. They should make that permanent.

Audiences never made sense.

[DaDeacon]

76. Biden is not addressing any issue beyond the buzz line.

[nolabear]

80. Buzz line? You mean the pandemic we're terrified of and they're being asked about?

[DaDeacon]

97. Yeah, buzz line. "Surges and The Military" sorry just MHO

[TwilightZone]

118. Your assertion is false.

You're clearly not watching the debate, because Biden clearly noted what he meant.

[DaDeacon]

138. LOL

[Aquaria]

166. Uncalled for.

[edhopper]

87. Are we watching the same debate?

[DaDeacon]

109. Yeah.....I'm not sure many people on here are.

This is a healthcare debate whether we like it or not and YES one guy has been talking about it before it a crisis.

[Blue_true]

153. One guy has talked about it, the other has been part of an

Administration that had to face THREE pandemics (H1N1, Ebola, Zika). One knows what is required to solve the pandemic, the other is talking hypotheticals.

[Aquaria]

167. One person talks about it

But has zero idea of how to implement it.

The other one talks about what needs done and how to get there, from experience.

Experience wins.

Welcome to reality.

[Upthevibe]

89. I like that Biden said this is beyond politics this

is a national crisis.

[polichick]

104. True.

[Demsrule86]

112. Based on Sanders answers, he is not ready for prime time and should not be our nominee...

Biden just said people are looking for solutions...not a revolution...snap.

[JudyM]

123. And we are going to war with the virus. And we have to meet people's immediate needs.

Fine points but he keeps repeating them as if they’re new each time.

[tishaLA]

83. LOL Samantha Bee.....

Link to tweet

[LaurenOlimina]

99. LOL

[frazzled]

102. The bars have been closed

At least in my state

[tishaLA]

115. In CA they are, too

Gov Newsom ordered them bars, clubs, and pubs closed immediately and restaurants can only operate at 50% capacity.

[frazzled]

124. Our restaurants are completely closed

Except for takeout or delivery (Illinois)

[Codeine]

150. Yeah, my wife just found out she won't be working

for at least the next two weeks because of the bar closure.

[tishaLA]

152. I'm sorry to hear that. It's got to be especially tough on

bartenders and servers because they depend so much on tips.

[Codeine]

156. Yeah, even if her boss continues to pay her

the loss of tips will hurt a bit. She’s a bouncer so her tip share isn’t the same as the bartenders but still noticeable.

[brooklynite]

90. Amazing how far apart the two podiums are...

[still_one]

105. social distancing?

[spooky3]

114. I think so. Nt

[TwilightZone]

126. Yes, it's pretty clearly intentional.

[dchill]

111. Amazing? How about predictable and dictated by circumstances?

[Blue_true]

159. .....

[LaurenOlimina]

94. Wow... I miss competence.

[cry baby]

135. Are you saying that you're watching competence right now and miss it

in the White House?

[LaurenOlimina]

136. Yup.

[cry baby]

139. Thank you! Me, too! nt

[brooklynite]

100. Biden: we will need a major bailout program for INDIVIDUALS, not corporations

[TreadSoftly]

107. 1st part boiling down to: have we invented the virus response already or not?

Biden seems to be saying "there is a process for dealing with infectious disease that works" while Sanders is saying "crisis unprecedented gotta start something new". I like Biden's approach and hope voters don't cast his approach as old stuff that won't work.

[hlthe2b]

108. Uggh ohh. Bernie had a brain fart and got stuck on Ebola. Finally corrected.

[Hav]

125. And he blamed Biden for his brain fart (n/t)

[LizBeth]

134. lol

[DaDeacon]

116. Damnit BOTH are now just on the pivot! BOOOOOO

[polichick]

117. Bernie understands how everything fit together to get to this...

disastrous moment and wants systemic changes. Biden is talking bandaids.

[DaDeacon]

122. FACTS!!!!

[nolabear]

129. Hardly. He's talking triage and Bernie is talking elective surgery.

[Aquaria]

168. Please

He doesn't even know how to make any of his pie in the sky work in reality. All hat, no cattle.

Anyway, you're never going to get anyone who knows how mediocre Medicare is to vote for expanding it. Nobody who knows how expensive it is to get adequate healthcare with it are going to vote for that waste of money and time.

[liberalmediaaddict]

120. Biden sounds like a President

Disproving the nonsense about him having dementia. I wish he was in the White House right now. Who knows where we're going to be in 8 months.

[brooklynite]

121. Please switch to thread 2

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287668512

[sop]

140. Imagine what a complete shit show this will be when Trump is standing at the other podium.

[DaDeacon]

158. yes ...

no audience is the BEST that should stay.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

142. They are each writing down a list of stuff to buy before they self-quarantine.

We did a little shopping today. We already have our CDC-recommended Zombie Apocalypse supplies, so it's just filling in the gaps.

My favorite scene from today was at the 7-11, where some guy was filling the back of his truck with case after case of beer. Clearly this was a man who has his priorities in order.

[dsp3000]

146. I wish this debate format continues.

I hate the audience, the short response times

[DaDeacon]

155. agreed... it's more civil and direct.

even if it's more heated.

[CottonBear]

151. Where is your link? No link equals no access to the debate. N / T

[Kitchari]

154. Did! Did not!

Too much sniping--the two of them need to contrast the Democratic positions vs the current horrible R admin, not slicing each other apart.

[dsp3000]

162. Nothing will get done without compromise.

That's how government works.

[Aquaria]

169. Oh good grief

The only corporate Democrats are all of YOU M4A supporters, because the only way that people will be able to get adequate coverage for all of their healthcare needs on your pie in the sky plan is to buy a bunch of supplemental CORPORATE insurance policies to provide them with all the things that Medicare does NOT cover. And there's a whole slew of things that Medicare does not cover. There are also all kinds of maximum coverages that millions butt up against year in, year out. And then there's the joke of trying to find a doctor who will accept Medicare.

If you were a real liberal, you'd be advocating for MediCAID for all, which provides more and better coverage, across the board, and that more doctors accept.