The field of candidates who earned a spot on the stage to talk about the issues was vast. To-date twenty-four candidates are vying for the opportunity to become the next leader of the free world. Twenty made it on national television to express their views and make their case for support. The four who did not make the cut should pack their bags, remain forgettable and anonymous to the American people. It was a two-night event as the Democrats’ debate in round one. I watched both evenings from start to finish. Needless to say, it was informative as well as entertaining on many levels.
Democrats who should leave
After watching with intensity, Democrats debate round one; the following candidates need to save themselves and their supporters some money by gracefully bowing out. Top of the chopping block should be Marianne Williamson, Andrew Yang, Jay Inslee, Tulsi Gabbard, Bill De Blasio, John Delaney, John Hickenlooper, and Michael Bennet. They were ineffective, unprepared, and forgettable. Many were single-issue candidates. The field should thin out before the next set of debates at the end of July 2019.
Democrats who stood out
Surprisingly, the front runner former Vice President Joe Biden did not do well under fire. Hopefully, the field will make way for contenders to shine. The top candidates to watch are Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, and Pete Buttigieg. Everyone else is middle of the road at this point. When Trump, who has been on the attack calling the former Vice President names defends him, it can only mean one thing. Biden might not make it to the nomination. He has gone down this road a couple of times during his political career and got shut out every time.
The winners in the debate include Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Cory Booker who all resonate with the audience. Others on the big stage who are getting a surge of new followers, not for the right reasons include Beto O’Rourke and Marianne Williamson. If the primary election took place tomorrow, I believe many Americans would be undecided. There is plenty of time for the middle ground candidates to find their footing. Not everyone makes a good first impression. Those who flubbed their lines and squandered their solos need to steps aside to allow the ones who have a fighting chance room to capture the undivided attention of the American people.