1. Elizabeth Warren Tactical: A+ Strategic: A.
Warren is probably the smartest person in this field. And tonight she was definitely the best prepared. She knew that she would get plenty of screen time, so she didn't fight for more. She seemed to know that most of the flak would be directed at Joe Biden. She also knows that most Democratic primary voters do not like when a candidate goes hard at another Democrat. So Warren answered her questions and she answered them well. But she didn't go for cheap applause lines and she didn't offend anyone. This is exactly how a front-runner should perform.
2. Pete Buttigieg Tactical: A, Strategic: A
He is both young and intelligent. He obviously has the temperament for this job and a pretty good feeling for where both the Democratic base and the general election persuadable voters are, politically. He is still a long shot to be the nominee because his resume is too short and I don't think the left wing will embrace him. But he did great tonight.
3. Cory Booker: Tactical A, Strategic: A-
I do not like Senator Booker. I think he is a phony. But he was great tonight. He was charming and witty without seeming too rehearsed. I do no think he will shoot up in the polls, but he helped himself as much as possible tonight.
4. Joe Biden Tactical: A-, Strategic: A-
Biden was better prepared tonight and he excelled in the first half of the debate. His team obviously told him to avoid using names and to not get bogged down in details. But his presence was pretty good and he conveyed his message well. Of course in the last 45 minutes or so he had a few of his usual slips. (He even talked about 'record players' during a question about education reform.) But I don't think he said anything that will gain traction in the media so he probably still stays at the front of this field for now.
5. Amy Klobuchar Tactical: A-, Strategic: B+
Her substance was very good. Like Buttigieg, she has views that are sensible and popular generally. But she's not charismatic on television and I would be surprised if she gets much of a bump out of tonight's performance. That's too bad because she would make an excellent president and is the perfect antidote to Trumpism.
6. Kamala Harris Tactical B+, Strategic: B+
She was comfortable and relaxed. I am inclined to like her, so that played well with me. Her plan was obviously to make the night about bashing Trump and she got a couple good lines off, but I don't think that made her stand out particularly. She does deserve credit for improving on the subject of criminal justice reform.
7. Beto O'Rourke Tactical: B+, Strategic: B
Beto is handsome and he can articulate a talking point well. Perhaps the most telling moments tonight was that he was complimented so frequently by other candidates on the stage. They know he is popular in Texas. They also know he's not much of a threat to become the nominee. But he did not cost himself any votes tonight.
8. Bernie Sanders Tactical: C+, Strategic: C
I have a friend who saw Flock of Seagulls in Concert about 20 years ago. They played "I Run"...twice. Because what the hell else do you want to hear Flock of Seagulls play? Bernie too only has one hit and he plays it as often as the crowd will let him. But his team failed him by not giving him cough drops before the debate. He is mailing it in now.
9. Julian Castro Tactical: C, Strategic: D
He sucked. And he took a shot at Biden's age. That probably cost him an ambassadorship.
10. Andrew Yang Tactical: D, Strategic: Not Applicable.
This clown is not running to be president. He is running to be a celebrity. And he actually started the night by offering a bribe to voters. That gimmick will probably get him some email addresses and exactly 10 votes. But he really showed his hand tonight. He is not running to be president. He is not running to win a cabinet spot or to be the ambassador to Aruba. He is running to be some combination of Joe Rogan and Tony Robbins. Fuck him.
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