How much of a difference to you think this debate will make in Iowa and other key states?

[calteacherguy]

I think Obama did very well, but I wonder how many people actually watched it and will be influenced by it six weeks from now?

[gateley]

1. I think the people in Iowa are paying very close attention. They take their

first place seriously and feel a responsibility to the rest of us to choose who they think would serve us best.

The people in Iowa are probably MORE influenced by the on-the-ground interactions, though - don't you think?

And why don't I just stop talking about something which I know nothing about, and let the Iowans speak for themselves? Good idea, gateley. :hi:

[Tejanocrat]

2. None. No one gaffed. No 2nd tier candidate moved up. No 1st tier candidate fell down. If I had to

pick two possible results, they would be that perhaps

1. this debate is helping cement Biden overtaking Richardson for 4th place in Iowa, as

2. the exclusion of Gravel is helping Kucinich consolidate the farthest left vote among those who will vote on ideology alone without any consideration of electability.

[Evergreen Emerald]

3. I disagree.

I think Edwards gaffed. I know that Biden will move up--this may have been his night. I think Edwards will move down, Obama will move down slightly, Clinton will rise back to where she was before the last debate.

[calteacherguy]

6. You seriously think this will have an effect on Iowa polling?

If it does, I expect Obama to surpass Clinton, especailly after the behavior or her supporters this evening. She may have a rude and boisterous 50% in Nevada at the moment, but she doesn't in Iowa.

[emilyg]

9. Good analysis.

[BeyondGeography]

4. Not much

Iowa is ultimately a ground game. Out-of-state debates, unless something extreme comes out of them, play a minimal role.

[itsrobert]

5. I think the Iowans will be turned off by the rude crowd

Iowans are for the most respectful at their debates and the booing of John Edwards by Hillary supporters will not go unnoticed.

[ClarkUSA]

7. None. Zip. Nada.

Obama's knockout speech this past weekend will have a much more relative impact to the activists that make up
Iowa caucus goers.

[calteacherguy]

8. I suspect you are absolutely correct. nt

[monmouth]

10. I think Joe Biden will move up in numbers...

[Stop Cornyn]

11. At most, Biden rose from 5th to 4th in Iowa, passing Richardson. That's the only conceivable effect

if any.