Watch the Feb. 25 Democratic debate with Newsday’s editorial board and columnists
Members of Newsday’s editorial board, along with opinion columnists William F.B. O’Reilly and Cathy Young, watch the Democratic candidates square off in South Carolina on Feb. 25.
Read through their live conversation and ratings of the candidates here.
The field narrowed to seven candidates who qualified based on polling or receiving a delegate from either the Iowa caucuses, New Hampshire primary, or the Nevada caucuses.
Mark Chiusano: Despite other candidates having much smoother performances, Bernie Sanders probably did well enough to win the night: opponents and moderators came at him more than usual, and as usual, he stuck to his talking points.
Rita Ciolli: Pete Buttigieg had his most solid performance yet, but Joe Biden takes the prize for looking more presidential than Sanders.
Michael Dobie: In a messy, chaotic back-and-forth that likely didn’t play well in much of the country and didn’t serve certain candidates well, Biden and Michael Bloomberg survived and Sanders took some hits. But Buttigieg rose above by projecting calm, connecting with the audience and landing more strong lines than anyone.
Lane Filler: Biden has improved throughout this process, if only because he’s become more comfortable with his own weaknesses on stage, and increasingly makes the case that he could do the job.
Amanda Fiscina: Voters are sick of the anger and attacks in our politics today, and Buttigieg showed Tuesday night again he can be a voice of reason.
Randi F. Marshall: In a debate marked by far too little substance, Bloomberg outperformed himself, and as such, came out as a clear winner. Biden and Buttigieg showed how capable they are, but without resonating enough at this stage.
William F. B. O’Reilly: Bloomberg and Biden both helped themselves, but that doesn’t solve their moderate logjam problem. Amy Klobuchar and Buttigieg were superb, but their campaigns are probably reaching the end. Elizabeth Warren hurt herself Tuesday night by looking cruel. Sanders remains the clear front-runner.
Eli Reyes: Biden and Bloomberg did better, but only because they had done so poorly before. Both were being measured against themselves not the other candidates.
Cathy Young: Biden performed well enough to regain some momentum; Bloomberg came back from being pummeled last week and held his own. Sanders stayed even. Buttigieg and Klobuchar did well, but not enough to pull off a miracle. And Warren actually got booed.
Mark Chiusano: Despite other candidates having much smoother performances, Bernie Sanders probably did well enough to win the night: opponents and moderators came at him more than usual, and as usual, he stuck to his talking points.
Rita Ciolli: Pete Buttigieg had his most solid performance yet, but Joe Biden takes the prize for looking more presidential than Sanders.
Michael Dobie: In a messy, chaotic back-and-forth that likely didn’t play well in much of the country and didn’t serve certain candidates well, Biden and Michael Bloomberg survived and Sanders took some hits. But Buttigieg rose above by projecting calm, connecting with the audience and landing more strong lines than anyone.
Lane Filler: Biden has improved throughout this process, if only because he’s become more comfortable with his own weaknesses on stage, and increasingly makes the case that he could do the job.
Amanda Fiscina: Voters are sick of the anger and attacks in our politics today, and Buttigieg showed Tuesday night again he can be a voice of reason.
Randi F. Marshall: In a debate marked by far too little substance, Bloomberg outperformed himself, and as such, came out as a clear winner. Biden and Buttigieg showed how capable they are, but without resonating enough at this stage.
William F. B. O’Reilly: Bloomberg and Biden both helped themselves, but that doesn’t solve their moderate logjam problem. Amy Klobuchar and Buttigieg were superb, but their campaigns are probably reaching the end. Elizabeth Warren hurt herself Tuesday night by looking cruel. Sanders remains the clear front-runner.
Eli Reyes: Biden and Bloomberg did better, but only because they had done so poorly before. Both were being measured against themselves not the other candidates.
Cathy Young: Biden performed well enough to regain some momentum; Bloomberg came back from being pummeled last week and held his own. Sanders stayed even. Buttigieg and Klobuchar did well, but not enough to pull off a miracle. And Warren actually got booed.