Sweet Merciful Long-Suffering God, Here's Your Open Thread for Yet Another Democratic Debate

The answer, I will tell you honestly, is mostly unclear. There is, however, one subject that’s only been lightly touched on: abortion. NARAL and other abortion rights groups spent today encouraging the debate moderators to ask about it:

So did Bernie Sanders’ campaign, because they clearly believe it’s an area where he could distinguish himself from Clinton. And truly, it’s an area that could use clarification: Last time, the candidates got into fairly confusing territory when they were asked whether they support any restrictions on abortion at any stage in a pregnancy.

Sanders responded unequivocally (“I happen to believe that it is wrong for the government to be telling a woman what to do with her own body”), while Clinton reiterated her support for “a late pregnancy regulation that would have exceptions for the life and health of the mother.”) That’s somehow turned into a discussion across the web about 20-week abortion bans, which aren’t late-term abortions at all (20 weeks is about midway through the second trimester). And it’s been incorrectly insinuated that Clinton supports 20-week bans, which she doesn’t.

So yes: here is one area where perhaps we could learn something new, surrounded by an ocean of stultifying talking points, polite hostility, and, if we’re lucky, a little shouting. Enjoy!