Initially, the Nevada debates exposed just how badly moderate Democrats are falling behind with minorities. While the focus on Mike Bloomberg took up a considerable amount of debate time, important issues such as minority business opportunities, education, the economy, immigration, and criminal justice reform are some of the topics that were overlooked. In South Carolina, these issues were once again glossed over in favor of moderates attacking the frontrunner.
In Nevada, where 29% of the population is Latino, focusing on a candidate who many argue hasn’t done the work to earn his place on the debate stage highlighted the constant missed opportunities by Democrats to address many issues. As the boss at Latino Rebels pointed out in an NBCNews THINK piece after Nevada, “The remaining candidates can’t seem to get beyond simplistic takes on immigration and pablum about our supposed entrepreneurial hopes.”
South Carolina was no different. In a state where 27% of the population is Black, Democrats missed another opportunity to address the issues that disproportionately affect minority communities. After the debate, Democrats likely left Black voters questioning their policies rather than solidifying their positions with them. After missing the opportunity with Latinos in Nevada, I’m starting to get the impression that they don’t understand the needs of minority communities.
Like Nevada, the debate in South Carolina continued to highlight just how fractured moderate Democrats are. Bloomberg’s first two debate appearances make it clear that he has become a shiny, new, very loud, $500 million disturbance that’s sucking the air out of the room. His campaign, however, means to silence issue-focused voters who are just as bent on beating Trump in favor of pivoting to a conversation about who has more money.
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