Why was the Bernie v Biden debate so absurd? It might have to do with the coronavirus

[BlueMTexpat]

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/03/15/bernie-sanders-joe-biden-debate-missing-coronavirus-column/5055183002/

For most of the time I was watching Sunday’s Democratic debate between Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden, I was trying to figure out why it was so frustrating. Sure there were ideologically illustrative moments — as when Sanders argued that coronavirus stems from a larger emergency of health and economic inequality that requires a systemic response, versus Biden wanting to focus on the outbreak as a discrete challenge. And there were newsworthy moments — as when they tried to portray slivers of each other’s historical records as endemically problematic, or when Biden promised to have a woman as running mate if he’s the nominee (a commitment Sanders refused to make).

Those elements and more would usually be catnip for folks like me, looking for meaningful grist for our meaning-making mills. And yet… somehow, I guess on an emotional level, the debate felt at best unsatisfying and at times downright absurd. Why? I’ve got five theories. Here they are:
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5. I miss Elizabeth Warren
Okay, this is a personal point but I think it applies more broadly, too. It’s not just that Warren was my candidate, but I think she would have threaded the needle of this moment on this stage — outlining her detailed, comprehensive plans and pointing out the differences between her and her opponents but also highlighting where they agree and keeping her true enemy in her sights. Warren would have done what neither Biden nor Sanders did — explain with precise and devastating clarity exactly how Trump’s failed leadership exacerbated this pandemic. And bear in mind how elegantly she eviscerated Michael Bloomberg — not finger wagging or screaming at him but posing sharp, simple questions and points with painfully plain implications. I feel like Warren is the candidate we needed on this stage and the leader we need in this moment and we, as a party, blew it by not nominating her.

[BeyondGeography]

1. Warren is a much better version of what Sanders purports to be

We saw that again last night. Bernie basically squandered two hours of airtime by recycling his familiar policy points and relitigating Biden’s Senate career. He came across as what he is; a world-class poor listener who wouldn’t recognize a good and useful idea that wasn’t his to begin with if it came into his room and sat on his head.

[BlueMTexpat]

3. She always was.

And always will be.

[PatrickforO]

2. Well, I watched the debate. Bernie and Joe seemed like two

old guys getting in an argument on the porch. I'm really sorry to say that, but it did.

Of course I still support Joe because he'll be the last man standing. AND, he did say he would for sure have a woman on the ticket which is GREAT. So that was good.

AND, he has come out in support of Warren's packages, which is good.

One thing Bernie said that pissed me off was about getting back into Paris. He said, "Who cares?"

Why would you say that? I care. We all know Paris isn't enough, but it is stupid for us not to get back into it, and Bernie was wrong for saying 'who cares?' This is the old purity thing biting us in the butt. Oh, unless you go whole hog in a certain direction and do a, b, c, and d, then none of it is any good. That is the same fallacy that has the socialists wasting their votes on obscure (but ideologically pure) third party candidates instead of voting for the Democrat.

Yeah, the debate did seem a bit absurd, and I'm sorry for that.

Because if Trump wins in November we're fucked.

[mercuryblues]

4. Bernie will sacrifice the good

because it isn't perfect.

[PatrickforO]

5. I'm afraid some of his supporters will, for sure. nt