PC: Patrick T. Fallon



The first Democratic Debate of 2016, and the last one before voting starts in Iowa on February 1st, happened on Sunday night in Charleston, South Carolina. The debate was focused around Bernie Sanders. He still leads in New Hampshire, he is now at least tied with Hillary in Iowa, and nationally he is closing in on her too. America is feeling the Bern, and Sanders hopes that the South will too soon. After the vibrant debate on guns, Wall Street and ISIS, the campaigns now are courting black voters as everyone is trying to win Iowa. Hillary is traditionally polling better with the black voters, and Sanders is from an almost all-white state, but there are signs that this is changing. And Sanders doesn't have to win a majority of this voting block, but for the March primaries it will be enough if he can just chip away a sizeable part from Clinton's support.





Everyone was waiting for the fireworks. And they got it. Bernie Sanders has been creeping up on Hillary in the polls lately, and people were wondering how he will handle it. Well, he was excellent. He successfully defended Hillary's old rhetoric against him, and won his arguments.





Chelsea Clinton came up too. Hillary's daughter has been accusing Bernie for trying to end Medicare and raise taxes. It simply is just not true. Bernie Sanders helped to write that health law, why would he tear it up? Please. We are sure the Clinton can come up with better attacks. And no, that ad was not negative. They just seem to be so desperate to stop Sanders's movement that they will literally say anything. It just looks kind of pathetic from an outsides point of view. End of rant.





And what Hillary couldn't respond to are her strong ties to Wall Street. She didn't give a clear answer to how she can separate herself from the big banks. And how could she have when she has received millions of dollars for speaking fees in the past few years. And people expect her to regulate Wall Street. Good luck with that.





ISIS or Donald Trump weren't mentioned that much during this debate, but the two candidate's viewpoints are pretty similar on these issues. Bernie also reinforced his main points of campaign finance reforms and equality. Hillary also talked about women's rights and how Bill Clinton's role would change from 2017 if she were to win.





Anything else that wasn't mentioned? Martin O'Malley. He will never win, but it's a shame. He does have some good ideas, but he is just so overshadowed. It is kind of sad to watch it sometimes.





President Obama was mentioned a hell of a lot more than him.





Democrats like Obama, though they admit some of his shortfalls. But a Clinton Presidency would look like a third term from Obama's policies, and increasingly believe that a change of directions, or at least a route correction is needed. It's ironic, but it is also true. And they feel like Bernie Sanders is the man for that. And surprisingly the black population is open for this change too.





Most African-Americans have been voting for Democrats since the 60's, and especially for Obama. But many are frustrated that nothing has changed, and Trump and Bernie are the ones that give them hope because they are different. And by a lot. They just feel like they would better represent them, and this could be the start of major shift in American politics and society. Especially if they find their way to Trump.





Trump has other good news too as Sarah Palin just endorsed him, giving him his first real endorsement from a major politician. While many mistakingly dismiss the former Alaska Governor as a laughing-stock, she still is very influential and has a sizeable group of followers. It could certainly be enough to tip the scale in Iowa towards Trump, over Cruz.



