Last night 5 of our candidates had a Townhall at CNN in NH , for those who missed it here is the full clip… I will diary my Live Reaction
1st question talks about him being the Anti-Trump, but that just like Donald Trump he does not have State or Federal experience.
He gives his stump speech response which I think has always been a good one. Has government as opposed to Trump ( I know it is a low bar but it is also true). More Executive experience than the VP, more military than anyone since George HW Bush. Belonging to a Generation that will take the brunt of the decision being made today. Emphasis of local government and how that "solve-problem" dynamic that you can't solve with a shut-down if there is disagreement.
Good start, nothing new: I've always liked this answer so I am giving it an A
Cooper follows on the lack of policy details on his website
PB: Reminds that he has always been clear on his policies, how he was the first to talk about reforming the Supreme Court. He says, and I agree, he has been the most specific on HOW TO GET to a Medicare for all Environment ( he doesn't say Medicare for All as THE solution, probably referring to what we all now call M4A, I 100% agree on this ) instead of saying "we can make it happen". He mentions a searchable tool in his website that will be make it possible to search by topic and hear his position on that topic ( I also did notice the Spanish version of the site which I had not seen before…. Muy Bien Señor Alcalde).
"I think before we drown people with minutia we vindicate the values that animate our policies, because as democrats this is a habit that we have; we go right to the policy proposals, and we expect people to able to figure out what our values must be from that" THANK YOU!!! as a Political Junkie I am like "I still want to see those policy position… as a voter I am like stranding up and clapping… ( it is usefull sometimes to be able to compartmentalize yourself… not sure is that healthy). So as a DKOS reader/writer I'll give the answer a B+ as a regular voter an A-
3rd question about Big Corporations
Refers to his problem with how concentration of wealth and power have lead to concentration of wealth and political power. He mentions how we need to clearly define that corporations do not equal people and money does not equal speech ( my internal standing ovation). Constitutional amendment to get rid of Citizen United ( aware of how that will be difficult). Enforce and enhance antitrust laws. Big Tech needs to be regulated.
Perfect answer A+
4th question immigration
Ahhhh you had me at "They are Americans, they may not be Citizens" ( talking about Dreamers). 10 million undocumented immigrants' status… pathway to citizenship. Reforms in the backlog on lawful immigration ( refers on how his father came to America), and reasonable measures on border security. Sí A+
Cooper follows up of he would support South Bend being a Sanctuary City
He considers his city as a welcoming city. Describes what local police enforcement are and are not allowed to do. To me it seems pretty much what we would call a Sanctuary City. "we have plenty of room for more" , "undocumented workers are subsidizing the rest of us because they pay taxes". Que quieres que te diga, Bravo un A+
5th question Trade
Good explanation of how, even though some manufacturing jobs will increase it will never go back to the thousands of employers of the boom era. That we will have to adjust of not having a one on one employer -employee relationship for life, and that we make sure to plan ahead of the shifting technologies and how these communities can prepare for the shift. It was a good answer, I wanted to hear more about trade agreements and how what Trump has done has affected middle America. I am giving it a B.
6th Student debts , College Tuition
Referring to what Warren has proposed, he parts ways with her in higher income brackets and would revisit after reforming the tac code to a more progressive one. I have student loans too… A+
Cooper talks about the infamous comparison between Trump supporters and Bernie Supporters
He clearly considers Trump and Sanders "Stupendously "different. But he emphasizes there was anti-establishment energy that goes in different political direction. Many voters asked themselves not if you're close to me on the political spectrum but are you going to profoundly change how the current system works. He mentions that we, democrats, don't become defenders of the system that is letting people down. Yes!! That explains a lot of 2016.
Here is my A.
Question on Felons rights… here he departs 100% from Sanders
I 100% agree with him, you are in jail you are being rehabilitated ( in theory), you are stripped of some rights, one of those is the right to vote, Once you have paid your debt to society you should regain that fundamental right. A+
OK i have not been consistent in numbering questions since i was separating audience from Cooper so I will stop numbering them lol
Question on the housing/gentrification issue he has been criticized about
South Bend had lost 30k in populations since the manufacturing crisis. He also said that when he went door-knocking as part of his first campaign for mayor, low-income and minority residents identified the vacant homes as one of their primary concerns. Red lining... When he responded to those concerns as mayor he attempted to distinguish between vacant homes that belonged to local residents and those that belonged to out-of-town landlords.
He did acknowledged that he had made mistakes in implementing the policy and that his administration now talks more with residents when determining whether to levy fines or tear down a home. A man who recognizes where he could've done better or made a mistake is an honorable man. I give him B+ liked the answer , should've done a little more homework before implementing the policy.
The demotion of the first AA police chief.
this is pretty straight forward law breaking and acting accordingly towards an appointed police chief who allegedly had violated federal statutes and was under FBI investigation. I won't grade this as it is just a legal question/answer. I don't think this should in any way reflect his positions on AA relations.
Human Rights/ Homosexuality in the world
HOw to approach homophobia in the world. He mentions that America should lead but that we also need to better our way we treat LGBT citizens before we start being the role model. A+ amazing answer
Impeach Trump
A+++++++
Religion
I am a Latino Gay Roman Catholic guy, This could not have expressed better how I feel. Sepration of Church and State but not give the right monopoly on religiosity. A+
annnnnd The Bait
Do I really need to grade this?
Amazing Townhall
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Some poll news from IA and NH
Seems like Mayor Pete is taking votes from all the non biden/ Sanders voters and that Biden is kind of simmering down… if it's true that he is announcing tomorrow… let's see what happenes
Gravis IA
UNH New Hampshire
There are some new National polls that I am not going to post… someone else can diary… but has staying power