I’m at that age where my mind still thinks I’m 29, my sense of humor suggests I’m 12, while my body mostly keeps asking if I’m sure I’m not dead yet. – Unknown

Coming to you, Coronavirus free, from deep inside an underground bunker in Montana that also serves as the worldwide headquarters for The Western Word blog!

These topics caught my attention in the last 24 hours:

• Democratic Debate Wrap
• Schumer meets with Bullock
• One More Thing

DEMOCRATIC DEBATE WRAP:

Great googly moogly – all the Democratic debate last night needed was Ozzy Osbourne singing “Crazy Train.” It was not a good showing for the Democrats and it was not a good showing for the CBS moderators who lost control early and did not gain any control until late in the two-hour debate.

Margaret Brennan, who hosts Face the Nation, was the only moderator who seemed to be able to control the candidates.

Joe Biden had a stronger than normal showing (maybe his best yet). It could all be over if Biden does not do well in South Carolina and the “Super Tuesday” states.

This morning, House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.), endorsed Biden, which should give him a good boost.

Frontrunner Bernie Sanders was attacked and attacked but held his own. In the post-debate poll, he came across as the top candidate who could beat Donald Trump.

According to the CBS Poll that I participated in right after the debate, Sanders, Biden, and Elizabeth Warren most impressed those taking part in the poll.

Warren seemed like she was highly caffeinated. She came out strongly attacking Michael Bloomberg. I did enjoy Warren’s plan for education and hope whoever wins adopts it.

Amy Klobuchar is the calm voice of reason among the candidates. Her comment saying “if we spend the next four months tearing our party apart, we’re going to watch Donald Trump spend the next four years tearing our country apart,” was one of the most memorable moments of the night.

Pete Buttigieg did a good job answering a question about the city of Idlib in Syria that is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Buttigieg showed he had a grasp on Middle East issues with his answer.

As for Michael Bloomberg and Tom Steyer, they were underwhelming in the debate.

You can read the results of the CBS Poll that I participated in by clicking HERE. You can a transcript of the debate by clicking HERE.

SCHUMER MEETS WITH BULLOCK:

Politico reported yesterday that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer met with Gov. Steve Bullock in Montana last weekend as Democrats make a last-ditch effort to woo him to run for the Senate this year, according to multiple sources familiar with the meeting.

I doubt Bullock decides to run. Although I think he would have the best chance of beating Steve Daines, it is very late to be getting into the game.

Shame on the Democrats (statewide and nationally) for not planning ahead and recruiting stronger candidates to take on Daines.

At least as we approach the filing deadline (March 9) in Montana, we’ll have something to keep an eye on.

ONE MORE THING:

You’ve probably seen the video of the Orlando, Florida, police officer arresting a 6-year-old girl who had zip ties put around her wrists at her school as she cried to be let go. The officer was later fired.

Supposedly the girl “battered three staff members by kicking and punching them.” (NBC News)

I thought it might be for something more felonious, like for not eating her vegetables or drinking her milk, or for yelling “Make America Great Again” in class.

Nonetheless, this little girl will suffer the trauma of being arrested and handcuffed for life. I can personally attest to the fact that overly aggressive police action around young children can stick with them for their whole lives.

I see a lawsuit coming.

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