Democratic Candidates At Each Other’s Throats

Debate #Don’t-Remember, but a notable one

The debate stage has become smaller, and, unless more billionaires jump in the race, it will stay small. But it’s getting decidedly hotter. That will probably also stay the same as each candidate targets another one — a different one — every debate.

Everyone is on attack mode. It was rousing, to say the least, with a lot of verbal jockying and artful comebacks. Much of what was said seemed less canned and more spontaneous, although I know that is probably not true. The candidates came ready with one liners and stories that their people have written for them, approaches that were tested. But feelings were hurt and aggressive things were said.

The debate progressed so fast that it was hard for me to capture everything that was said that carried some import for this race.

Mayor Bloomberg was on the stage for the first time, and what he showed was a clear lack of charisma. But the amount of money he can spend on his campaign may make up for that.