Four Things I'll Be Looking For In Tonight's Democratic Debate in Iowa

This evening I'll be making another sojourn to another establishment for tonight's Democratic Debate Watch Party. Tonight, the debate takes place in Des Moines less than three weeks away from the Iowa Caucuses. Here are three things for which I shall be watching.


Elizabeth Warren Raises The Sexism Card Against Bernie Sanders


Until now, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders have played nice with each other. But this was bound to end given they are competing for the same voter universe. In September, Warren topped the polls. In October, Bernie had a heart attack. But a funny thing happened. Warren slumped and Bernie surged. Now she needs to stop his surge. Warren has now accused Sanders of telling her in a private meeting in 2018 that a woman couldn't win the White House, a charge Sanders has denied. This reeks of desperation, but it could work. However, Bernie could remind the debate audience that AOC endorsed him and not her. If AOC intervenes on Bernie's behalf in this matter it could prove a death knell for Warren's campaign.


If Klobuchar Continues to Pester Pete Will He Bring Up Her Temper?


Amy Klobuchar received high marks for her debate performance last month in Los Angeles particularly at the expense of Pete Buttigieg. While Buttigieg's numbers have dropped, it has gained her little traction in the polls in Iowa. But given that Iowa voters often decide late, I suspect she will continue to pester Pete in tonight's debate concerning his lack of experience.


Should this happen then Buttigieg's best defense would be a good offense. If Klobuchar chides Buttigieg for his lack of experience then he ought to bring up her temper. Buttigieg could say something along these lines:


You speak of your experience. Fine. Let's talk about your experience. When things don't go as you wish you lose your temper and throw things at your staff. If anyone in this room had done that in their workplace they would lose their job. It is certainly not something that was tolerated when I was mayor of South Bend. Nor was it an option when I served my country in Afghanistan. You can speak of your experience all you want, but experience without a good temperament doesn't count for much. We have a hot tempered President in the White House right now. We do not need another.


If Pete were to say something along those lines I believe it would leave Klobuchar shaking right out of the race.


Will Biden Be Ignored Despite Narrowly Leading The Polls?


One wonders if Sanders and Warren and Buttigieg and Klobuchar will be so busy with each other that they will neglect Joe Biden who narrowly leads the field in both Iowa and New Hampshire. Oh, Tom Steyer might chime in, but nobody likes him. In which case, Biden should have a good night.


Of course, should anyone target Biden they will have to do so carefully. Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, Julian Castro and Eric Swalwell all went after Biden in the debates and did themselves absolutely no good.


It seems to me the only person who can damage Joe Biden is Joe Biden.


Iran


Had this debate been held a week ago, the candidates would have universally condemned President Trump for his recklessness in killing Iranian Quds Leader Qassam Soleimani. They still might, but over the past week Iran shot down a civilian airliner which led to the deaths of a lot of Iranian students and anger is now being directed at the Iranian regime. When Iranian demonstrators refuse to stomp on American and Israeli flags there is something in the air. There's also something in the air when Britain, France and Germany are now focusing on Iran's violation of the nuclear agreement have seen fit to trigger the dispute settlement mechanism.


While President Trump's foreign policy in haphazard, the Democratic candidates must be cautious in their criticism in light of events on the ground. They would be wise to stand with Iranian protesters instead of the Iranian regime, but who among them would be so wise outside of Buttigieg? In which case, where it concerns Iran, Democrats might end up helping Trump. No Democrat should want that outcome.