The Democratic electoral race is still fluid, but there have been few breakout moments on the ebate stage.
Washington DC, Nov. 20.– On the impeachment procedures under the guidance of Rep. Schiff, there were more pointed questions, carefully worded answers and perhaps 
dramatic disclosures on a nationally televised event this Wednesday that may eventually have major implications for the 2020 presidential campaign.
But today also, there's a Democratic presidential debate.
The fifth debate, in Atlanta, just happens to be the evening after scheduled testimony by diplomat Gordon Sondland, the person identified as having the most direct knowledge of President Donald Trump's efforts to get the Ukrainian government to announce an investigation of former Vice President Joe Biden and his son.
And while Democratic contenders hope the debate will give them a bump in the polls or an influx of donations, the likelihood of anyone having a breakthrough moment is small.
"It used to be conventional wisdom that if you got on the debate stage, it got you the opportunity to be seen by millions of people, free, without buying ads," says former Democratic Senate aide Mark Alexander, dean of the Villanova University School of Law and a veteran of several campaigns. "That certainly is a challenge for them now, with these impeachment hearings going on. The impact (of the debates) are probably less now than in previous times," he adds.
Public polling backs that up: 8.3 million people watched the last debate, in Westerville, Ohio, but 13 million tuned in to watch the first day of impeachment inquiry hearing ...
[ Full text ]