I definitely left watching that first night with a greater sense of camaraderie and hope. Regardless of political ideology it's hard to disagree Sanders and Warren really knocked it out, Sanders slightly more so. Their tag team was really something to watch. I was on the fence on healthcare, before that night, on whether to do a medicare option or complete M4A and I think M4A won out. I'd be scared and looking for a job in another sector if I worked in the private health insurance industry right about now. I don't think Delaney or Hickenlooper have any place in the race after that night and I was previously rooting for them. Williamson was entertaining but that's about it, she didn't have a clear position on healthcare and was flopping during and after the debate. I think she fought well on reparations, regardless of who wins that probably needs to come to fruition or it's just going to be rehashed every 4 years for eternity. I do think there was too much focus on healthcare and not enough on climate change but that's probably for the viewers at home, fortunately the candidates who are progressive on healthcare and other issues are usually indicative of their policies on climate change. Buttigieg is probably the most articulate and with youthful energy, sharing qualities with Obama in that way, but feels like a moderate in progressive clothing. Beto is another who fought well but seems to be approaching the end of the race soon. Ryan was making a lot of sense on a few things like regenerative agriculture but also didn't particularly stand out.

2nd night didn't bring as much hope as the first for me. It felt more about going after the character of the candidates than of substance, they essentially cannabalized each other which the Republicans probably enjoyed to hell. Biden didn't hurt himself but didn't fully redeem himself either, he did the thing where he cut himself off a couple times too. Harris is overall in the same place but took a couple minor hits. Her M4A-lite probably hurt her a bit, it made her appear like she's trying to pander to both sides but losing both in the process. Until last week I saw her as being in the same lane as Sanders and Warren. I think Bennet is one of the couple remaining viable candidates in the moderate lane. Yang is another entertaining, outsider candidate but will probably remain in the fight a bit longer, if not to at least spread awareness of automotation. Inslee is another single issue candidate who will do the same but with climate change. I don't think Gillibrand, Booker, Castro or the rest did anything to shoot them into the top 5 but did well overall. Gabbard took a good stab at Harris but she's still seen as a single issue candidate on regime change wars and feels stiff.

Overall the only candidate I feel confident has name recognition, policies that will get us where we need to be and broad appeal to all voting groups is Sanders. We already know from '16 he'd win in areas where Clinton lost. Doesn't hurt he also already has some celebrity endorsements.

I hate how CNN ran this round of debates but luckily most of the candidates, mostly on the first night, didn't play into their bullshit.