Substantive debate

The Feb. 5 article As Democratic race gets tighter, jabs get sharper, published after the most recent debate between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton did readers a disservice. It made it sound like the debate was all about attacks, like the Republican debates.

Nowhere was it mentioned that the debate consisted of a substantive discussion of many issues, including analysis and policy proposals. It didn’t mention the excellence of the moderators, Chuck Todd and Rachel Maddow, who asked probing questions then let both candidates engage in actual debate. Nor did it mention the classy refusal of both Sanders and Clinton to discuss the media-encouraged sore points of another. Their respect for each other was obvious and heartening.

Both candidates came across as intelligent, knowledgeable and committed to serving our country. I am an independent, but when I compare these two experienced politicians to the front-runners in the Republican campaign, I can see which way I will be voting.

This story was originally published February 9, 2016 at 10:07 PM with the headline "Substantive debate."