Clinton was the clear winner of the first Democratic presidential debate, according to the assessment of both Democrats and Republicans in this week’s POLITICO Caucus, our bipartisan survey of the top activists, operatives and strategists in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.
Seventy-nine percent of Democratic insiders surveyed said she dominated her four opponents onstage. Fifty-four percent of Republicans said the same.
“Not even close,” an unaffiliated New Hampshire Democrat said. “Hillary crushed it tonight.”
“I think that everyone walked into this debate looking for her to make a mistake, and she didn’t,” an Iowa Democrat said. “On top of that, Sanders’ lack of preparation showed, and O’Malley was trying too hard to look presidential to be effective.”
Marveled a New Hampshire Republican, “She stood out as a leader, charismatic and personal. It may have been an out-of-body experience.”Early-state respondents, all of whom were granted anonymity in order to speak freely, said Clinton displayed competence and command of the issues, and came across as both “presidential” and accessible.
“I’m a reluctant Clinton supporter, but I thought she killed it tonight,” a South Carolina Democrat said. “She was in a league of her own. Prepared, confident, funny. And she genuinely seemed to be enjoying herself up there. Everyone who knows and loves Hillary Clinton always says how personable and funny she is in person. I felt like watching her performance in this debate was the first time I’ve gotten a sense of that side of her. For crying out loud…she made a joke about women taking longer in the bathroom! “
Several insiders also noted that Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders enabled her strong night with his vigorous denunciation of the scrutiny placed on her email practices while at the State Department behind her. “The American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn emails,” Sanders exclaimed during one of the most talked-about moments of the debate.”
She won it the moment Bernie Sanders got his loudest applause of the night sticking up for her, which he should’ve never done,” an Iowa Republican said.
Added a Nevada Democrat, “With an assist from Bernie she did a magnificent job of sweeping the email nonsense aside.”Sanders, who has been threatening Clinton in the polls in New Hampshire and Iowa, was less impressive onstage, insiders said. Only 8 percent of Democrats overall said he won the debate, tying with Martin O’Malley, who is far behind in the polls. And 20 percent of Democratic insiders said Sanders lost.
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