Bernie is the only one I can work up any sort of enthusiasm for because he offers a change from the same old shite that's been going on for decades. Of course the cynic in me wonders if anything could ever change given the entrenched opinions and monied interests.

Even if he does get in, what is the likelihood that he can get some of his more controversial policies passed in Congress?

Given the level of intransigence in Congress what's the likelihood of Bernie or any other candidate Democrat or Republican getting any policies passed?

Bernie talks about political revolution which involves helping elect like minded candidates at all levels of government. Whether that is possible remains to be seen. Then again not long ago it was impossible for Bernie to have a chance of even winning the primary, but the odds are growing.

Republican reporter David Brooks bemoans the incompetence of their caucus.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/13/op...ucus.html?_r=0

So, who watched the dem debate? I had a prior engagement so I'm just catching up reading reviews of it now. Sounds like Hillary did quite well.

I caught around 50% of the Dems debate as I was coming and going. I plan to rewatch when I get a moment.

Initial thoughts:
- Bernie very passionate opening;
- Bernie didn't come out of the gun debate very well;
- Hillary mainly managed to stay out of trouble;
- O'malley gave a decent account of himself;
- Chafee for President? Just no...;
- Wtf did Jim Webb go off the deep end or was I imagining things?

Some good discussion, parental leave, education, gun control, the economy etc. Bernie and Hillary intent to compete on who hates the banks/wealthiest most.

This debate was missing another real competitor.

Hillary did very well imo. A much more feisty debater than I was expecting. Sanders was ok, but not particularly inspiring. The other three were pretty poor. Webb just seems weird. O'Malley was blah. Chafee is simply hopeless.

And, yeh, Clinton needs a competitor. She's going to be the nominee unless the email "scandal" blows up in her face.

I agree...Clinton nailed it last night. The new, more likeable Clinton came across as confident, informed and polished.

It turned out to be the Clinton and Sanders show...the other three may have well stayed home.

Likeable Clinton?

I think Clinton came across as a very polished politician, hitting her marks.

I thought Sanders came across as a decent human being.

Chafee should drop now to save face, O'Malley did well I thought but honestly it seems to me that the best Webb, O'Malley and Chafee can hope for is being a VP candidate. Especially if Biden tosses his hat into the ring.

Yeah I watched the debate last night and these are my thoughts:

Hillary was Hillary, going through her talking points and lines defending her record on the email, Benghazi etc. She didn't take an positions that could be controversial e.g. legalising marijuana. Hit Bernie hard on gun control, also had a good line on attacking the GOP over Planned Parenthood. She was in danger of overplaying the first woman president thing; should she get the nomination just because she's a woman, it was starting to sound like that was what she was saying. Plus being British I remember that our first Prime Minister is known for being somewhat controversial.

Bernie was Bernie, good on income equality as expected, OK on other subjects. Didn't do well when trying to defend himself on gun control. The concern about how he's going to achieve his agenda wasn't met particular as his defence of "because it was hard" on gun control. Good line on being sick about Clinton's emails, emphasised his stick to the issues shtick. As a fan fan of the 4th Amendment, I liked his answers there, especially as he was the one who voted against the Patriot Act.

O'Malley did OK, but not enough to pick up any Clinton or Sanders supporters.

Chafee, looked like a deer in the headlights all night, I'm surprised Webb didn't put him out of his misery, after all he's killed a man you know.

Webb would have made a decent Republican before they went crazy.

OK...maybe I should have said 'more likeable than her normal unlikeable self'.

I was being gracious as I can't stand the women...but am trying to have a balanced view. Credit where credit is due...I thought she did good last night...far better than Sanders.

Apparently Huckabee was live tweeting the debate. It's like civil conversation doesn't exist any more.

"I trust @BernieSanders with my tax dollars like I trust a North Korean chef with my labrador! #DemDebate"

Iron Mike at his best.

That's more like it. I just can't warm to Hillary, there's something so robotic about her. She did come across better last night but she is by no means inspirational or exciting. She's a status quo candidate.

While most news outlets declared her the winner, most public polls actually preferred Sanders and even Webb. Though Hilary is backed by Time Warner, curiously. (I'll keep my foil hat firmly in place, thanks).