The D Debate

if you just “work hard and play by the rules” you should expect that the American system will deliver you a decent life and a chance for your children to have a better one"

I am disappointed in the questions from the CNN people. The Republican debates had so many questions about how one candidate said something about a different candidate. They did nothing like that tonight.

Well here. I'll bump it up for you.

Clinton’s jujitsu wasn’t relegated to questions about her past. Clinton’s partisan witch-hunt–themed response to questions about her email scandal was nothing we haven’t heard from her before—but the response to her strong delivery suggested that Democratic voters are willing to forgive and forget. Not only did she draw boisterous cheers from the crowd with her tried-if-not-completely-true defense, she even had Sanders coming to her aid.

“I think the secretary is right,” Bernie interjected, “and that is that the American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn emails.” When your biggest rival is deflecting questions about your biggest weakness for you, you know the evening has been a success.

Ruth Sherlock - HILLARY CLINTON
It has finally became clear why so many Democrats have feared challenging Hillary Clinton for the presidential nomination. After months of being drowned out by the email scandal - and Donald Trump - tonight Mrs Clinton shone. She was the teacher and her opponents the pupils. As they succumbed to flares of passion or long rambles, she was collected, quick-witted, and charming throughout.
Rob Crilly - HILLARY CLINTON
Anderson Cooper, the CNN host, said at the start of the debate that this was a much closer race than anyone had predicted. It was not true at the start of the night and he was proved demonstrably wrong by the end. Hillary Clinton is light years ahead of a weak Democrat field. Although Bernie Sanders' insurgent campaign has been trumpeted by journalists desperate for a better story, it has long been clear that Mrs Clinton has the grooming, the policies and the brain that put her comfortably at the head of race. Tonight she dominated the stage. For once during this campaign she looked relaxed and as if she were enjoying herself. Dare I say it, but she looked presidential. In contrast, Mr Sanders stumbled through his answers. He struggled with the big picture stuff and had little grasp of the finer details. He was weakest on foreign policy. No-one will want his finger on the button.
Nick Allen - HILLARY CLINTON
Bernie Sanders had his moments but Hillary was the clear winner. If it had been a football match her supporters would have been chanting "Easy" by the end. She was incredibly well prepared for what were predictable questions. She was also helped enormously by her opponent when he refused to attack her over the email scandal. Sanders ranted about Wall Street but the "Bern" didn't really catch fire. The other three candidates were feeble and only served to make Mrs Clinton look even more presidential. Barring a new scandal she should sail on to the nomination.
Harriet Alexander - HILLARY CLINTON
Hillary Clinton was streets ahead of the others; poised, prepared and polished. Her rebuke to Republican candidate Carly Fiorina - the only other woman in the contest - about paid maternity leave was a particular triumph: she demolished Fiorina's argument that paid leave harmed businesses, saying that in California it was working just fine. And she took that chance to talk about her own experiences as a young lawyer and mother - looking after a sick child and still having to run to court. Although Clinton was the obvious winner, Martin O'Malley also put in an assured show: he was measured and well-informed, especially on gun control. His closing statements were sophisticated too - praising the other candidates for a debate about the issues, rather than an assault on immigrants, women and religious beliefs. "It was an honest search for answers," he said. Honest, and - for those two, at least - successful.
David Lawler - HILLARY CLINTON
The toughest opponent Hillary Clinton faced tonight was the weight of high expectations. Given her frontrunner status and reputation as a skilled debater, a pedestrian performance simply would not do. What we got from Mrs Clinton was strongest debate performance I have ever seen her deliver, and probably the best of the 2016 campaign on either side of the aisle. She was prepared, she was sharp and, crucially given her wonkish reputation, she had moments of humour and engagement with the audience. Hillary Clinton won the debate, and it wasn't close.
David Millward - Hillary Clinton
Having been surrounded by Bernie loyalists all evening, it would have been nice - or a least polite - to say their man won. But he didn’t. Hillary walked it tonight. Bernie’s one answer fits all approach was cruelly exposed under the harsh light of a TV debate. Hillary was slick, but not too slick and her camp can justifiably breathe a little easier tonight.
Barney Henderson - HILLARY CLINTON
Hillary was the clear winner tonight - totally outshining her rivals. It should be noted that she received a lot of help from her Democrat rivals. "Enough of the e-mails!" said an exasperated Mr Sanders referring to the scandal that has dogged her campaign to date. Mrs Clinton was also quick to remind the crowd how Mr O'Malley had firmly supported her run for president in 2008 as he looked on, slightly sheepishly. The former Baltimore mayor could definitely be a potential Clinton Running Mate. In general though, this was a much more friendly - if duller - debate than the brutal Republican outing last month. The Democrats gave the impression of being far more united - behind their clear leader, Mrs Clinton.