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Is There An Anti-Biden Lane for Other Democratic Candidates?
Nate Silver has a pretty interesting discussion up this morning on what candidates might do to knock Biden off his lead. Link here:
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/is-there-an-anti-biden-lane-in-the-democratic-primary/
I think it's the sort of thing we should keep in mind as time goes by and the debates draw closer. As to be expected the majority of the group are squarely in the 'anti-electability' corner. But even this group is willing to admit that the electability factor (be it real or not) is playing into Biden's early success.
They also agree that knocking off Joe Biden will not be easy. Biggest vulnerability: in their opinion, Joe's age. I'm reading this slant in a number of articles reflecting Biden's casual rollout, the fact that he's not barnstorming the crucial early states as are other candidates. Could it be, the articles query, a lack of stamina?
Also, the attacks on Biden will (they believe) ramp up though the effectiveness is yet to be determined. They made an interesting observation that if a number of Dem candidates start slamming on the same issue, it might break through. For instance the 90s Crime Bill, something Hillary Clinton caught heat over. The same attack from Trump would be less effective since his stance on criminal justice has been historically abysmal, despite the reform bill. The Manhattan Five, anyone?
Anyway, I think the maxim: To be forewarned is to be forearmed is useful to remember. Discussions are heating up even at DU and we're only a tiny slice of the Democratic community. The most recent slam over Joe Biden's attention to the 10-year old girl at the Teachers Union town hall was silly and lame. But that doesn't mean there won't be plenty more where that came from.
The other thing pointed out in the discussion is the determinative power of the debates. I think we all realize this. I have confidence in Biden standing his ground. But this will be the moment that lesser candidates will use as a breakout moment. Which means releasing the Big Guns, even if the fire is ultimately impotent. So far, none of the attacks have lessened Joe's undeniable lead.
Should get very interesting! Did I say ugly? 
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