Tomorrow night, most of the credible declared Democratic candidates for President (with the notable exception of Larry Lessig, who is being excluded) will be gathered together onstage in Las Vegas for the first Democratic presidential debate of the 2016 cycle. CNN is the Democratic Party’s media partner for this event, and will be televising the debate beginning at 5:30 PM Pacific.
Tomorrow night’s Democratic debate promises to be very different from the clown shows that the Republicans organized with Fox and CNN back in the summer. Unlike the Republicans, the Democratic candidates have a range of serious, substantive proposals to improve America’s quality of life.
The Democratic candidates have laid out plans for reducing gun violence, holding police accountable, making it easier for voters to participate in elections, expanding Social Security and Medicare, providing paid family and vacation leave to American workers, increasing the minimum wage, ensuring new Americans can become citizens, and combating the climate crisis. The Republican candidates have not.
While CNN’s hosts can be expected to ask silly, shallow questions, this debate is among the Democratic candidates for President. They collectively have the power to decide what kind of conversation they want to have. We hope they will show that they’re the true adults in the race by keeping the focus where it belongs: on the serious issues the mass media and Republicans are largely ignoring.
Most of the participants in tomorrow night’s debate are blips in the polling that’s been conducted so far. Partly that’s because the mass media has focused almost exclusively on Hillary Clinton (and to a lesser extent, because he’s made his campaign impossible to ignore) Bernie Sanders. As a consequence, not many Americans have had the chance to hear from Martin O’Malley, James Webb, or Lincoln Chafee. Tomorrow night, voters who tune in will get that chance.
Sadly, Larry Lessig is being excluded from the debate, and we think that’s just wrong. We hope he is included in the next one, and we will happily rewteet his commentary on the debate if he participates from a distance on Twitter.
If you’d like to watch the debate in the company of other progressives, you have options. Here is a list of some of the debate watch parties we know about in the Puget Sound area. These are not sponsored by any of the campaigns. You should plan to arrive no later than 5:15 PM, so you don’t miss the beginning of the debate.
32nd LD Presidential Debate Watch Party
Jersey’s in Shoreline
1306 N 175th St, Shoreline
Join with friends and neighbors to watch the first Democratic Presidential Debate at Jerseys in Shoreline ‑an all ages event!Capitol Hill Presidential Debate Watch Party
Comet Tavern
922 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122
The Comet Tavern (where Bernie stopped on his Seattle trip and gave a memorable speech!) will be hosting a Democratic debate viewing party! We offer a giant screen TV, two big screen TV’s, full sound, full bar and rad food selection.YDWA Presidential Debate Watch Party
Admission required; tickets will be sold at the door
West of Lenin Theater, Fremont
203 N 36th St, Seattle, WA 98103
Don’t miss the greatest Presidential Watch Party of the year! YDWA is renting out a theater to watch the Democratic candidates go head-to-head in the first debate of the 2016 campaign.Pierce County Democrats Presidential Watch Party
Tacoma Firefighters Hall
1109 S 50th Street, Tacoma WA, 98408
Complimentary food and beverage! Please consider joining Rick Talbert and the Pierce County Democrats at the Firefighters Hall in Tacoma on Tuesday for a debate watch party. This event is not affiliated with any presidential candidate and all are welcome.
We will have live coverage of tomorrow’s debate beginning at 5:30 PM.
One Comment
Tini Bigs & Hula Hula in Queen Anne will be showing all of the presidential debates.