Contact CU Independent News Staff Writer Sydney Worth at sywo3665@colorado.edu.
Saturday marked another debate in the battle for the presidency. Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley gathered in Des Moines, Iowa to discuss major issues such as national security, the economy, gun control and other topics surrounding the presidential race.
While this debate didn’t have the same long row of candidates as its last Republican counterpart, it allowed for equal contribution from each candidate. Additionally, each key issue was discussed in depth; debates have earned criticism for lacking substantive discussion during this election cycle.
The debate kicked off with questions concerning national security in light of the recent tragedy in Paris. While Sanders and O’Malley said that America should help any country in trouble, Clinton urged the public to consider that anything not on American soil shouldn’t be an American fight.
Of course, Clinton’s vote for the invasion of Iraq didn’t go untouched. Clinton still had to defend her position. Her defense? You never really know what the outcome is going to be. Clinton’s stance makes the future seem like a black abyss of mystery.
The next hot topic of the debate was the economy and the shrinking middle class. Clinton stood with her fellow candidates in advocating for higher taxes for the wealthier population. Not much is new with Clinton here. The minimum wage, however, was the topic on which she differed from the other candidates. Unlike Sanders and O’Malley, who are fighting for a $15 minimum wage, Clinton sets herself apart by bringing that minimum down to $12 with room for increase in bigger cities.
Though all three candidates had similar ideas and almost identical plans, Clinton and Sanders were clearly top contenders in this debate. Clinton set herself apart with razor-thin differences. Sanders, though, succeeded in defining his campaign and telling viewers what his hopes were for the future of America.
O’Malley, though given reasonable face-time, lacked the shine that his competitors seemed to radiate. For most of the two hours, viewers heard about nothing but the success of Maryland from O’Malley. Great to know, but this could serve to hurt him as the interests of the U.S. public extend far beyond Maryland.
Compared to the Republican debate, this one had more structure and flow. It didn’t measure up to the Republican’s flare for drama and excitement, though. Still, viewers got the chance to hear more about who the candidates are and what they want for America.
