Agree that it's encouraging to see and hear substantive people discussing substantive issues in an informed and respectful manner. I'd forgotton what that was like.

And this was despite the CNN production being uncomfortably reminiscent of Hunger Games.

As I think about it, perhaps that's really the way to characterize this whole political season. The Republicans have, in the past few years, been doing little more than clowning around and acting like undisciplined children. Rather than working well with others (or even playing well with others) to look for the best compromises to serve the American people, Republicans have been acting like impudent toddlers and pre-teens.

First, they show a seeming lack of awareness of how the real world works, dream up imaginary pretend-worlds and issue unreasonable demands. Next, if they don't get their way, they hold their breath and refuse to cooperate with anyone. When that doesn't work, they drop to the floor and throw a fit, hurling insults and screaming about how they're not treated fairly. Finally, when everything goes wrong, they start making things up and pointing fingers in an effort to blame everyone but themselves.

Is that any way to run a country? Of course not. As long as the GOP wants to act like children, they should be treated as such. They need to be put in a corner for an extended 'time-out,' and to be left there until they're ready to come out and act like reasonable, responsible adults.

(link...)

I concur. And so does Slate.

It is funny to hear Santa Claus brought up by liberals calling the GOP unserious. The questioners were so in the tank that they never asked how all of these new programs would be paid for during this debate.

Sanders has a hard time explaining both the truth (the economy is terrible and counting things like unemployment in dishonest ways to hide that fact doesnt change it) and why Democrats are the ones to rescue us from an economy that Democrats have controlled primarily for the past 8 years.

Tax more! Spend more! Inequality continues to increase, our tax system continues to encourage corruption, corporations continue to buy politicians and receive welfare from both sides of the aisle. A real populist who could capture the anger at the rigged crapitalism we are seeing would do very well. People who just want us to ape Sweden when we are wildly dissimilar demographically (family structure, education etc) is living in dream land.

I think we need someone that has the best in ethical standards as our next president. That’s how I feel.

COOPER: Secretary Clinton, do you want to respond?

CLINTON: No.