| | | | The big question the 1st Democratic debate answered |  | | You can debate about who did the best -- and worst -- in the first Democratic presidential debate, which was spread out over two nights this week in Miami. (Trust me, I did just that; here are my winners and losers for the first and second nights.)
But what the first debate of the 2020 campaign season proved -- beyond the shadow of a doubt -- is that people are VERY interested in the race to face President Donald Trump.
Thursday night's debate featuring some of the brighter stars in the race -- Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris -- drew 18.1 million viewers, making it the highest-rated Democratic presidential debate in history. More than 15 million people watched Wednesday night's debate, which, aside from Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, lacked the star power of the second night.
While those numbers don't reach the heights of the first Republican 2016 debate, when 24 million people watched Trump make his debate stage debut, they are far higher than most estimates -- mine included.
What does that tell us? That people are engaged and interested in politics -- even with almost 18 months left before the 2020 general election. It's hard to attribute that level of interest to anything other than the current resident of the White House.
Like him or hate him, Trump has created a level of engagement in politics that we simply have not seen in decades. People who may have only loosely followed politics prior to Trump are now watching cable TV religiously (bless you -- each and every one of you). The stakes have been raised by Trump.
There were questions coming into this first debate as to whether some of that energy had worn off after the first few years of Trump's presidency. The ratings suggest otherwise. People are watching -- and in record numbers.
The Point: If 18 million people watch a Thursday night debate in the middle of the summer with 10 candidates onstage, how many might watch an October debate when a) actual primary votes are only a few months away and b) the field has slimmed to only candidates with real chances at the nomination?
-- Chris
Below, the week in 29 headlines.
Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: | | "Don't meddle in the election, please."
-- President Trump to Vladimir Putin, while smirking and wagging his finger at the Russian President. | | | THE POLITICS OF CRITICISM | |  | Joe Biden's thin skin may cost him in 2020 | | Joe Biden isn't a big fan of criticism. Especially when it's directed at him.
May we direct you to The Point on YouTube? Subscribe now! | | Elaina Plott on how a rape allegation against the President never even made a ripple among Trump allies
Love this Politico photo gallery of the first Democratic debate circus
Marianne Williamson is, uh, different
A really good read from Amy Howe on the Supreme Court's partisan gerrymandering decision
What's the best Beatles song?
Not great, Bob! | | | Chris has been an on again, off again fan of Strand of Oaks. But this newest album is A+++. | |
LAUREN'S CAMPAIGN TRAIL SCHEDULER | | | Coming next week, Bernie Sanders hosts half a dozen ice cream socials, Beto O'Rourke is marking Independence Day from Independence, Iowa, and Joe Biden makes a rare appearance alongside many Democratic challengers at a teachers union forum.
Saturday, June 29 Sunday, June 30 - Bernie Sanders: Finishes his weekend in New Hampshire with three different ice cream socials
- Elizabeth Warren: Kicks off a two-day tour through Nevada
Tuesday, July 2 Wednesday, July 3 Thursday, July 4 - Beto O'Rourke: Spends his Fourth of July in Iowa, including attending a reading of the Declaration of Independence in Independence, Iowa
- Bernie Sanders: Celebrates the Fourth in Iowa, including a campaign office opening and ice cream social in Ames
- Kamala Harris: Is barbecuing in Iowa on the Fourth
- Kirsten Gillibrand: Hits the New Hampshire parade circuit in Amherst and Laconia
- John Delaney: Is on the New Hampshire barbecue circuit, hitting cookouts in Brentwood and Manchester
- Seth Moulton: Spends his Fourth of July attending parades and celebrations in Nevada
Friday, July 5 - Strong Public Schools Presidential Forum: Hosted by the National Education Association, the powerful teachers union, forum participants include Joe Biden, Julián Castro, Amy Klobuchar, Jay Inslee, Beto O'Rourke, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren in Houston
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