Is this a debate or a riot?

Last night's Democratic candidate debate was a mess, from Elizabeth Warren's unprovoked attack on Mike Bloomberg before the first question was answered to the petty back-and-forth between Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg, this was no way to choose the leader of the free world.

This was the debate that was going to introduce Bloomberg to the Democratic electorate. Viewers heard a lot about Bloomberg's alleged racism and misogyny, but Bloomberg seemed totally unprepared for for the attacks and unable to defend himself. Bloomberg had spent millions in advertising as he avoided the traditional political path, but he should have invested in some answers to questions that were sure to be asked. This debate should kick the legs from under Bloomberg's sudden rise in the polls, but it might not. His ads have been well done and effective. But if he wins the nomination, he will have much harder fight against an incumbent president whose debate style specializes in insults, falsehoods and distortions.

Bernie Sanders' debate performance was unchanged. He evaded questions about his campaign's ruthless attacks and misinformation about his opponents. The socialist democrat senator managed to change the subject every time he faced a tough question. Challenged to explain how he'd finance his health care plan and other pie-in-the-sky promises, he switched to his attacks on billionaires, Wall Street, millionaires, tax policy, on and on. Nothing about how you afford it. You've heard it all before. Sanders is nothing if not relentless and evasive.

The more moderate candidates — Buttigieg, Klobuchar and Biden — spent precious time attacking each other instead of appealing to the majority of Americans who don't want Trump reelected and don't want a radical turn toward socialist five-year plans. Biden has improved since the first debate but still doesn't inspire confidence in him.

Given his poor showing in his first debate, Bloomberg does not look like the solution to Democrats' problems. If he can't defend himself against Sanders or Warren, how will he do against the imperialist opponent in the White House who has proclaimed he can do anything he wants to do, and neither Congress nor his own attorney general can stop him.

Democrats need to get together on a less-than-socialist candidate or get used to government run by gut instincts between golf outings.