Columnists and political analysts around the country were quick to weigh in on the shouting match, ahem, the Democratic presidential primary debate co-hosted by CBS News. While some had differing opinions on who won, or which talking points were most persuasively conveyed, one thing most reviewers agreed on was that the debate was, if nothing else, loud.
Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank commented on the lack of dignity portrayed by the candidates.
“Within the first few minutes, the CBS News moderators lost control. Candidates shouted at each other, talked over the moderators and interrupted at will. ‘He spoke over time, and I’m going to talk!’ bellowed Joe Biden. The audience cheered and booed as if watching professional wrestling.”
Russell Berman, a staff writer for The Atlantic, dubbed the event, “the loudest debate yet.”
“Well, that was loud.
“They interrupted one another, bickered with one another, and bitterly accused one another of all manner of political and moral failings.”
The New York Times tweeted out Frank Bruni’s column stating this election cycle seems even more vicious than usual.
USA Today opinion writers gave out grades for the debate and commented on the hostility displayed between candidates.
“If last week was fight club, this week was food fight. The Democrats interrupted, cross-talked and attacked each other with such intensity that it seemed like 2016 again,” said Jill Lawrence, commentary editor.
CNN contributor Raul Reyes argued the debate was embarrassing.
“Tuesday night’s debate was somewhere between an episode of ‘The Jerry Springer Show’ and a ‘Real Housewives’ reunion: messy, chaotic and embarrassing for nearly everyone involved.”
Newt Gingrich wrote an op-ed for Fox News contrasting President Trump’s visit to India with the Democratic debate.
“The Democratic contenders are simply not ready for prime time. The leap from quarreling on the stage in South Carolina, to landing in New Delhi in Air Force One is simply too great.