5 Takeaways From The Democratic Debate In Milwaukee

Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders met on the debate stage for the sixth time Thursday night in Milwaukee. The event, hosted by the PBS NewsHour, saw the two staying mostly true to form. Sanders, a U.S. senator from Vermont, hit hard on his core message of taking on economic inequality while former Secretary of State Clinton cast herself as the pragmatic contender who would be able to get things done in the White House on both foreign and domestic issues.

The debate didn’t see many fireworks — in fact Clinton at one point said she and Sanders seemed to be in, “vigorous agreement” on several issues. Both made promises to take on Wall Street interests, push for immigration reform and work to address racial inequity in the United States.

Here are the takeaways, based on what Wisconsin journos and politicos were saying on Twitter during and after the debate:

1. It wasn’t an exciting debate. Many on social media noted that the candidates were in agreement for much of the debate, and weren’t as feisty as they’d been in previous forums. Plus, it seemed, there wasn’t much in the way of new information to glean about the candidates.

HRC summarizes 1st hour of the debate: She and Sanders in “vigorous agreement” on education, abortion, black incarceration, etc #DemDebate

— Daniel Bice (@DanielBice) February 12, 2016

Shocking what passes for “disagreement” between two left-wing career politicians. #DemDebate #MilwaukeeDebate

— Brian Reisinger (@BrianJReisinger) February 12, 2016

What have we learned in the first 40 minutes of this #DemDebate? Serious question. Shouldn’t debates illuminate and inform?

— Brian Fraley (@Dailytakes) February 12, 2016

2. The Henry Kissinger talk, however, was very much unexpected. There was a lot of buzz when Sanders brought up the ways Henry Kissinger may, or may not, have influenced Hillary Clinton on her foreign policy strategy.

I’ll admit it. I didn’t expect Henry Kissinger to be a focal point of tonight’s #DemDebate.

— Mike Gousha (@MikeGousha) February 12, 2016

Wow! A debate about whether to take counsel from Henry Kissinger! Christopher Hitchens would so appreciate this moment.

— John Nichols (@NicholsUprising) February 12, 2016

Bernie with fresh slams on Henry Kissinger, Herbert Hoover. TAKE THAT, DECADES AGO. #DemDebate

— Christian Schneider (@Schneider_CM) February 12, 2016

3. A clash over allegiance to President Barack Obama was another highlight. Clinton and Sanders ended up sparring over the ways they’ve criticized or cheered Obama’s performance as president.

In a year of the political outsider, the best moment comes when Clinton and Sanders debate who is true heir to incumbent prez. #DemDebate

— Daniel Bice (@DanielBice) February 12, 2016

Fireworks at the end. Clinton criticizes Sanders for criticizing President Obama. Sanders responds, “low blow.” #DemDebate

— Mike Gousha (@MikeGousha) February 12, 2016

In a #demdebate without a lot of contrast, the smallest sparks will get a ton of attention. Kissinger and Obama exchanges will be the story

— Brian Fraley (@Dailytakes) February 12, 2016

4. Hillary knew her Wisconsin. Indeed, Hillary Clinton made references to labor struggles and the Dontre Hamilton shooting, and even slammed Gov. Scott Walker — not once, but twice.

In #DemDebate @HillaryClinton is delivering knowing references to Walker, Wisconsin and Dontre Hamilton–MKE man shot and killed by police.

— John Nichols (@NicholsUprising) February 12, 2016

Final Wisconsin reference score: Clinton – 11, Sanders – Naught. #DemDebate

— Matthew DeFour (@WSJMattD4) February 12, 2016

.@HillaryClinton took her share of jabs at @ScottWalker when he was a presidential candidate. She’s back at it tonight in MKE. #DemDebate

— Jessie Opoien (@jessieopie) February 12, 2016

5. Scott Walker’s campaign didn’t take criticism sitting down. The governor’s Twitter account ended up taking a swipe right back at Hillary:

.@HillaryClinton, while you took big speaking fees, we froze tuition 4 years in a row to make college affordable. #DemDebate

— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) February 12, 2016