Running in tandem with ABC’s televised coverage of their Democratic presidential debate on Thursday, the network also streamed coverage and analysis online. And during that stream, chief global affairs correspondent Martha Raddatz gushed about the “really real authenticity” she felt from the candidates during their closing comments.
Before getting to that point, ABC reporter Devin Dwyer appeared during one of the ad breaks to have a chat with lefty ABC News contributor and Democracy for America chairwoman Yvette Simpson.
In their conversation, Simpson touted Senator Kamala Harris (CA) for her performance. “She’s really showing herself strong. I think talking directly to Trump, which is what people want,” she said. “Yeah, impressive start,” he commended.
“Man, Cory Booker has had a couple laughs. I think everybody’s doing a really good job today. I am very impressed with this field,” Simpson added.
During ad break, team on the #ABCNews online feed: “A good night,” “impressive start" for Kamala Harris. “Everybody is doing a really good job.” #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/zw7ftaSCT2
— Brent Baker (@BrentHBaker) September 13, 2019
Then, following the debate, Raddatz was speaking with her fellow ABC journalists and wanted to share how much she “loved the ending.” “Oh, the ending was fantastic. That was brilliant,” added chief White House Jon Karl. White House correspondent Cecilia Vega also agreed: “Me too. I do too.”
Suggesting “it was inspirational”, Raddatz opined about how the candidates tackled ABC’s softball final question about their resilience:
RADDATZ: You saw a real—It was different. You saw really real authenticity. I think from most of the candidates telling their stories. Even if they’ve told those stories before. It was almost like, “Okay, the debate’s almost over. We’re a little more relaxed. Let’s just be ourselves.”
VEGA: Reset.
“I loved the ending. It was inspirational. You saw real authenticity” – ABC News reporter @MarthaRaddatz on #ABCNews #DemDebate online post show. pic.twitter.com/Kvxz5QGkf3
— Brent Baker (@BrentHBaker) September 13, 2019
In contrast, former North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp arguably had a more accurate interpretation of the events on that debate stage from the point of view of the blue-collar worker.
“I think the failure in all of this is that, if you are the blue-collar worker who is in a factor that’s doing pretty well and you’re listening to something that affects your life, you didn’t hear it. And That’s been my problem all along,” she declared.
After an interruption from Simpson, Heitkamp continued: “I mean, I will say this. I think that, I spend a lot of time with moderate, independent voters, and I don't think they looked at this debate and heard their life experience reflected in this debate.”
Former Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp on the #DemDebate: "I spend a lot of time with moderate, independent voters, and I don't think they looked at this debate and heard their life experience reflected in this debate." pic.twitter.com/DnMmkD0EkW
— Francis Brennan (@FrancisBrennan) September 13, 2019
The transcript is below, click "expand" to read:
ABC’s Online Stream
DEVIN DWYER: Hey everybody, welcome back to Houston. I’m Devin Dwyer. We’re behind the sense at the ABC News debate here at Texas Southern University. And I’m here with ABC News contributor, Democracy for America chairwoman Yvette Simpson.
YVETTE SIMPSON: Thank you. Good to talk to you.
DWYER: We were talking before the debate about your expectations. And who’s having the best night so far?
SIMPSON: It’s a good night. Like, Kamala has had some great moments. She’s really showing herself strong. I think talking directly to Trump, which is what people want.
DWYER: Yeah, impressive start.
SIMPSON: Man, Cory Booker has had a couple laughs. I think everybody’s doing a really good job today. I am very impressed with this field.
(…)
MARTHA RADDATZ: And I have to say, I loved the ending.
JON KARL: Oh, the ending was fantastic. That was brilliant.
CECILIA VEGA: Me too. I do too.
RADDATZ: It was inspirational.
VEGA: Yup.
KARL: Different.
RADDATZ: You saw a real—It was different. You saw really real authenticity. I think from most of the candidates telling their stories. Even if they’ve told those stories before. It was almost like, “Okay, the debate’s almost over. We’re a little more relaxed. Let’s just be ourselves.”
VEGA: Reset.
(…)
HEIDI HEITKAMP: I think the failure in all of this is that, if you are the blue-collar worker who is in a factor that’s doing pretty well and you’re listening to something that affects your life, you didn’t hear it. And That’s been my problem all along.
(…)
HEITKAMP: I mean, I will say this. I think that, I spend a lot of time with moderate, independent voters, and I don't think they looked at this debate and heard their life experience reflected in this debate.
(…)
