Today on Sojourner Truth, our weekly roundtable discussion.
The punditry class are aglow with reports of Kamala Harris' hit on Joe Biden, who is the lead candidate in the polls in the lead up to the debate. She hit him on his record on race in Round 2 of the Democratic presidential candidates marathon two-night debate. Will it be enough to stop Biden's climb in the polls? Race and racism turned out to be central during both nights of presidential debates, with Corey Booker on Night 1 and also Elizabeth Warren. Warren knows she has to continue to break through in winning the Black vote. This highlights the importance of the Black vote in the upcoming presidential election in defeating Donald Trump.
Bernie was Bernie, and as usual, came across as the candidate who sticks to his principles and policies. He is also the only candidate who says a people's movement on the ground is necessary for things to change. The attack on socialism by at least one presidential candidate aimed at Bernie clearly fell flat. And Julian Castro broke through the crowded stage with his passionate lambasting of U.S. policies against migrants. Beto O' Rourke was the first to speak Spanish during the debate, but otherwise came across as lackluster and somewhat confused. Pete Buttigieg, the only gay candidate on the stage, stood out as calm, but also fresh, intelligent and pointed. Though many on the left continue to question his policies and portray him as a centrist, blue dog-leaning Democrat.
Warren continues a dramatic rise in the polls. Prior to the debate, she was just four percentage points away from Bernie. But Warren's supporters are concerned as now some are already imaging a Harris-Buttigieg ticket. Both Biden and Bernie were attacked for their age.
Meanwhile, reaction continues from around the world over the shocking photo of the drowned migrant father and his daughter from El Salvador. It has become a symbol of what increasing numbers of people see as inhumane policies and treatment of migrants, breaking international standards.
And the Supreme Court made two major decisions with wide implications for both parties that center also on race. One on the question of adding to the Census a citizenship question. The other on gerrymandering.
Meanwhile, the G20 meeting of world leaders of major nations is underway in Japan as of Friday. Big on the agenda are trade wars involving China and India.
