Report Card: Immigration Records Highlight Clinton, Sanders Miami Melee

Early conflict over immigration records defined a night of spirited contention between two testy and determined combatants, although most of the disagreements covered familiar ground and employed rehearsed rhetoric. In the wake of Sanders’ Michigan victory and continued fundraising prowess, both candidates (along with the supporters who cheer for them and the reporters who cover them) seemed resigned to prolonged political trench warfare.

Consistently more precise and energetic than in the most recent debate. Less negative, more natural, more earnest, and more on message than his opponent. Sometimes missed chances to pivot to his favored big-picture themes, given the specific moderator queries, but struck many progressive chords that got the audience revved up and cheering. Clinton’s delegate lead looms large, but he showed why he is inspiring tens of millions of liberals across the country.