The Democrats held their first debate on October 13, 2015. As you probably know, it was hosted by CNN and the moderator was Anderson Cooper.  I must admit that before I tuned in to the debate I anticipated that it would be boring but I had long ago decided that I would watch it anyway.  Not only had I decided that I would watch it but I had also determined that I would somehow endure the full two-and-a-half hours.

Boy am I glad that I decided to watch it! More than 15 million other Americans apparently decided to watch it as well.  It was worth every bit of my time and I believe that the rest of the 15 million plus people who watched it likely felt that it was worth it for them too.

Initially, I had become less than enthusiastic about watching it because I had watched the full long-and-drawn-out Republican debates where very few issues that we Americans are concerned about were addressed. And those issues that were addressed, if you will permit me to use the word ‘addressed’ without insulting your intelligence because the subject issues were in effect ignored, were addressed quickly and superficially so that the candidates could get back to insulting one another, immigrants, sitting lawmakers and – in general – the American people.

The Democratic debate was just the opposite of the Republican debates. It was very informative and it allowed one the opportunity to gain important insight into where each candidate stands on the issues that are currently at the forefront with Americans whether they are Democrat, Republican or Independent.

It was a major win for the two front-runners, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders. I have said before in a number of articles in my blog that I like Senator Sanders as a candidate.  I like him even more after witnessing how he comported himself during the debate when he had the opportunity to really hammer Secretary Clinton on her email problems and on her relationship with Wall Street but instead, chose to take the high road.

Senator Sanders made it clear during that particular exchange about Secretary Clinton’s email problems that what he was about to say was not a gaffe. So I believe that his decision not to take full advantage of her comment regarding her efforts to reign in the Wall Street crowd was not a mistake and a missed opportunity either but a realistic glimpse of who Senator Bernie Sanders really is.  He is a true statesman.

Senator Sanders has some weaknesses with Democrats, especially the base, when it comes to guns issues and the support of African Americans. He has had a clash or two with the Black Lives Matter group on issues that impact in particular on African Americans and other people of color.  This has obviously had an impact on how he is viewed as a candidate by African Americans.

I believe that Senator Sanders is a sincere and fair-minded politician who stands on principle and who wants all Americans to be treated equally and allowed the opportunity to prosper based on their ability and willingness to work hard to achieve their dreams. I hope that this is how all African Americans, despite our differences of opinion with him, will view him.  Differences of opinion can be worked out or adversaries can respectfully agree to disagree.  Differences of opinion notwithstanding, Senator Bernie Sanders has proven by way of his record as a politician that he is not an enemy of African Americans; therefore, he should be viewed and treated as the statesman that he is.

Having said that, I do not believe that Senator Sanders is electable. Polls show that a Socialist, which Senator Sanders openly admits that he is, cannot be elected to the highest office in America.  Even if he could be, given that Hillary Clinton is running to be the 2016 Democratic nominee I would not vote for him; I would vote for her.

I reiterate that I have long been and still am an avid supporter of Secretary Clinton. I believe that she should be the next person to take the helm of the Democratic Party as President of the United States of America.  It is my opinion that she was the overall winner of the debate and her performance went a long way to regain the confidence of those who had begun to doubt her as a result of the email server and emails problems that continue to cloud her campaign efforts.

The fact that Representative Kevin McCarthy all but admitted that the Benghazi Committee was established to pull down her poll numbers and other Republicans are beginning to speak up with regard to the questionable purpose of this committee should further boost her chances to regain the loss of supporters that she has experienced.

Let’s all get behind the Democrat of our choice for President and move forward with the primary process. And when the 2016 general election time arrives, let’s come together and put the Democratic nominee – whomever that may be, in office.

Eulus Dennis