MSNBC Fifth Democratic Debate Recap - The Hillary Debate

So last time, I declared the fourth democratic debate the Bernie debate. This one, I'm declaring the Hillary debate, though not in a good way. If you missed the debate, you can watch it here.

Hillary came into this debate full throttle. She was ready with a punch at every turn, often taking the words out of Bernie's mouth before he could speak them. For undecided voters watching the debate who hadn't read up on either candidate's record, I was certain they'd be leaning toward Hillary.

The biggest moment of the debate was when Hillary "called out" Bernie on his attacks of her being establishment, resulting in boos from the audience and the Bernie's best statement of the night.

But what makes this debate the Hillary debate, for me at least, is not what happened so much during the debate, but what came after.

During the debate, the question was brought up over whether Hillary was a progressive. While Hillary stuck to her story that she was, the internet called bullshit. Young Turks proclaimed that she really has no idea what a progressive is, and Twitter exploded with the hashtag #HillarySoProgressive where Tweeters pointed out her not-so-progressive record.

Hillary also defended herself from the accusation that taking funds from Wall Street could influence her, claiming that wasn't the case. But a video from 2004 with Elizabeth Warren explaining how Wall Street funds changed Hillary's mind on an important piece of legislation circled around Tumblr. Another, perhaps more damning video circled of Hillary blaming homeowners for the financial crisis during a speech at NASDAQ headquarters.

When Hillary called on viewers (during the debate and the town hall meeting the day before) to find anything Wall Street had influenced her on, a Daily Kos author took up the charge. Even CNN, which has been Clinton biased throughout the democratic race, published an article on Hillary's speaking fees. 

A YouTube video of Hillary "lying for thirteen minutes straight" also circled Facebook where quotes from Hillary during the CNN debate are placed against contradictory statements made by Hillary in the past. 

Why does any of this matter? Surely Clinton has faced attacks after every debate? True, but I've never seen them circle with such ferocity before. I can honestly say that for the first time I understand why the first word that comes to mind when people think of Hillary reportedly is "lair." When Hillary promotes her "solid" record, either she has completely forgotten what her record entails, or she's flat out lying through her teeth and hoping voters don't do the research.

Hillary was hit hard after this debate. What's worse (for her) is outside the debate, a crowd of college students wearing American flag capes held signs supporting Bernie Sanders.

The bern is being felt in more ways than one.

Revolt Against Plutocracy

Recently, Elizabeth Warren said she won't rule out endorsing Bernie Sanders' campaign but that it's too soon to say. A few days later, a petition was started calling for Warren's endorsement.

From CSMonitor

Some have criticized Warren's decision to wait to give an endorsement. Bernie Sanders has long stood up for the American people, even when his views were shunned. Critics call for Elizabeth Warren to show the same backbone and endorse the presidential candidate she feels best aligns with progressive views, not wait to see if Bernie or Hillary turn out to be the popular candidate.

The petition calling for Warren to endorse a candidate was started by Revolt Against Plutocracy, a group that echos Bernie's call for a political revolution in this country. The group also calls for Bernie supporters to take a pledge to write in Bernie Sanders for the presidential nomination.

Why? The site calls it leverage to show the DNC the amount of support Bernie Sanders has so he gains the Democratic nomination. But the principle is similar to the call for Warren to name a candidate. If we truly believe in Bernie Sanders and the call to a grassroots movement to take back the government for the people, then our resolve cannot live or die based on whether he gains the presidency or Democratic nomination.

If we truly want to change this country, then we need to show the government that "enough is enough" and that we will have our voices heard. Bernie has said that he doesn't want his candidacy to split the Democratic vote, and while that is a noble sentiment, turning to Hillary if Bernie loses the nomination will not create the change this country needs.

That's why I took the pledge to write in Sanders in 2016, not because I don't believe Bernie will win the presidential election but because I want to show that I'm in this for the long haul. Bernie will win. I have no doubt that he can raise the momentum. But if he doesn't, I want my voice to be heard. I don't just want to vote, yet again, for the lesser of two evils. I want the government of this country to know that I demand change.

I have told people over and over again that doubting Bernie's ability to win and choosing to back someone else is only making them part of the problem. If you want Bernie to win, back him. It's as simple as that. The same applies to this nation. If we want change, we have to make it. When Bernie isn't there to lead to us (and some day he won't be), we can't falter. We have to let our voices be heard.

And if all over America people decided we weren't going to to let our corrupt political system make our choices for us and wrote in Bernie Sanders name for president, just imagine what could happen.