* As we saw, some gloves, particularly those figuratively worn by Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, came off at the last debate. Both went after Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who is the Iowa frontrunner. Warren went after the “wine cave” fundraiser for rich people. Klobuchar made note of the fact that he had never won a statewide race. None of that was surprising since Buttigieg leads in Iowa polls, and the Iowa caucus is barely more than a month away. Klobuchar, in particular, has to do well in Iowa to remain viable.
* Former President Barack Obama, who’s trying not to tip any scales toward any candidate, recently said something that could cause some tipping. While overseas, he noted that women “indisputably” make better leaders. Most of the problems in the world, he said, come from “old people, mostly men, holding onto positions of power.” We’ll hear that line again.
* There was a lot of analysis that Joe Biden won–because he didn’t lose. Nobody came after him and there were no glaring gaffes. Some bars are a bit lower than others.
* Frankly, I’d give the nod to Klobuchar. Fewer candidates made for more time, and she took advantage of it. She can make policy points while injecting humor and zingers.
* Favorite Klobuchar line referencing her experience as well as Pete Buttigieg’s youth pitch: “59 is the new 37.”
* Good bye and good riddance, Tulsi Gabbard. The erstwhile candidatevoted “present” during the impeachmentvote.Hardly helpful.But we will hear from her again, even if indirectly. She will surely be referenced by Trump during the upcoming campaign–from ads to a debate forum. “Even a Democratic candidate for president didn’t think I deserved impeachment.” Talk about unforced errors.