Democrats Draw Clear Lines in Debate
Democratic presidential hopefuls gathered in South Carolina last night for the fourth and final debate before Iowa and New Hampshire.
Andrea Bernstein, senior editor for politics and policy for WNYC News, says it was a good debate because Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton were able to clearly state their position on a number of issues. Sanders articulated that he wanted a complete overhaul of the healthcare system ("which definitely speaks to a lot of the electorate," says Bernstein); but Clinton countered by pointing out that Sanders doesn't have the experience and knowledge to do this.
She also offered her analysis on the reason why Sanders appeals to millennials:
"I think young people naturally go for the clearer, more direct argument. Single-payer healthcare, break up the Wall Street banks - these things are very easy to understand, much easier than Hillary Clinton's 10-point plan and 6 year windows on stock trades. The kinds of things that she proposes are sort of muddled."
Jamil Smith, senior editor at New Republic and host of the podcast 'Intersection,' largely agrees with Bernstein, saying that you have to look at the candidates personalities more than their policies to explain millennial appeal.
"I think with Bernie Sanders you have what I call the Rex Ryan [pro football coach of the Buffalo Bills] syndrome. You have the loud coach who's very bold, who's very boisterous, who's very angry, who's very showy, and young people are drawn to that. They're not drawn to a woman who is, in my opinion, clearly the one who has the most experience and has the most knowledge about how to actually govern."
