My objective review of tonight's debate

[MonkeyFunk]

Edwards helped himself a lot. Probably not enough to win anything, but enough to make himself a factor.

Obama stood up well to Clinton. Very well.

Clinton lost.

Just my opinion.

[enigmatic]

1. Flip Obama and Clinton

And you've got mine.

[MonkeyFunk]

2. You thnk she did better than Obama?

I think it was close, but I'd say he placed.

[enigmatic]

3. I do

He got better as the debate went on but Hillary (and Edwards too, which I think he wasn't expecting)bloodied him early, and he was stunned for awhile; very much off his game. He's the weakest debater out of the 3, so I don't really think he hurt himself so much as he was outshined by both.

Edwards did what he had to do tonight; it was his best debate this campaign.

[robbedvoter]

13. I am with you on this assesment.

[Pirate Smile]

4. I think Obama had to fight and he did, even if it wasn't pretty. People

want to know he has that in him.

I think Edwards helped himself. I'm not sure if Clinton hurt herself or not.

Thanks for your opinion.

[Colobo]

5. I agree with your analysis, Monkey.

Very fair analysis, very refreshing, knowing you support Hillary.

[Yael]

6. It is a toss up for me

I don't think Hillary's anger played very well, but in the same token, Obama's non-answers are starting to catch up with him in a BIG way. Of course, this is from a political junkie that watches all of the debates. Someone watching for the first time may not have the same take and like the passion and not catch the non-answers.

They are up against a trial lawyer, so debate skills will always come into play. In this format, Hillary tends to get very LOUD when making certain points and unlike his amazing speeches, Obama ums and aws his way through debate answers. If they could both work on those specific aspects of their debate performance, it would play well.

Just my humble opinion!

[OneGrassRoot]

7. Yael, I couldn't agree more. And you make a good point:

we've watched every debate and thus compare the performances against earlier debates. Many people tuning in for the first time may have a completely different perception.

[cobalt1999]

8. I thought Edwards did a great job

He clearly beat Obama and Clinton. I'd put Obama ahead of Clinton, but it's like worrying who was 2nd & 3rd during Secretariat's famous race.

[Renew Deal]

9. Wow

OK. I agree that Obama stood up well. That might be the best thing for him.

[THUNDER HANDS]

10. I'm DYING to see what the polls are going to do after this debate

Because I have no idea how the public is going to view what happened last night.

[robbedvoter]

12. I doubt debates actually move polls. media spin on them might, but voters

don't stay glued to CNN - not like us DU-ers do.

[robbedvoter]

11. I think Obama recovered somewhat by the end, but all in all was wobbly

When Edwards cross-examined him on the "present" votes he did very poorly.
After the dust-up with Hillary in the beginning, he faltered in explaining his own health care plan because he was rattled. I am with Josh Marshall - he doesn't fight/debate very well.

[Apollo11]

14. In terms of how the debate will impact on the race, I think Obama is the winner.

Edwards had nothing to lose and everything to gain by making a big splash. He looked like a puppy up there on stage, enjoying himself in the spotlight. He knows that if he comes 3rd in South Carolina then many people will write off his chances and switch to Obama (or Hillary).

Obama had to demonstrate that he is ready to be President in less than one year from now. That he is a serious contender who could go up against McCain or Romney or Huckabee or Giuliani. I think he struck the right balance between defending himself against the attacks coming from the Clintons without losing his cool or getting down in the mud or resorting to personal attacks against Hillary.

Hillary reverted back to aggressive mode. Which is a big surprise after we learned that Democrats in New Hampshire responded much better to the softer more conciliatory unifying Hillary. She really went overboard with her negative attacks against Obama: "you NEVER take responsiblity for any vote". I mean, please ...

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/21/debate.transcript/index.html

[rox63]

15. I agree - Thanks for your honest assessment n/t

[mnhtnbb]

16. I thought Obama was the weak performer last night. Edwards shone.

Hillary is one tough cookie.