Yesterday I wrote about why no has been talking about the Democrats.  Well today the worm has turned.  Everybody is talking about the Democrats.  The debate was pretty good.  I mean, as good as a debate can be without Donald Trump.  Five candidates seems like the right number, totally digestible without getting dull.  And in the end one thing is clear: Hillary is it.

The general consensus seems to be that Hillary had a successful debate last night.  She was poised, and [surprisingly] came across as human and likable.  She had no gaffes or real problematic moments, and she did a fine job (with the help of her debate opponents) of avoiding the email issue.  I think it might be fair to say that Benghazi and Hillary’s emails are not going to remain the hot topics that Republicans hope for.

Hillary looked – dare I say? – downright electable.  And none of the other candidates on the debate stage did.

Bernie Sanders had a great debate if you ask any of his supporters.  Sanders’ problem is that he’ll have trouble appealing to anyone who doesn’t identify as liberal, particularly on economic issues.  Economic inequality is “immoral and wrong.”  Yikes.  Most Americans are uncomfortable with discussions of economic disparity as a moral issue, especially when it’s coming from a politician who is a self-proclaimed Socialist (as opposed to a politician who has been branded a Socialist by their opponents, which could apply to any candidate who has ever run against a Republican).  I still say Bernie can’t win a general election.

Ugh, and then the rest…

Lincoln Chafee had what most consider the worst performance.  When asked why he voted to repeal the Glass-Steagall Act, Chafee basically said it was because it was his first vote and he didn’t know what else to do.

Martin O’Malley and Jim Webb seemed happy just to be on TV.  Both did well enough to maintain their poll numbers…

It’s a long road to nowhere for anyone but Hillary.  Biden would be a formidable candidate, but as time goes by it seems less and less likely he’ll get in the ring.  The best thing for the Democrats would be for the gentlemen to bow out gracefully and allow Hillary to continue the delicate task of trying to stay in the spotlight without everyone getting sick of her.  Easier said than done.