So how did everyone think the debate went?

[beachmom]

I thought Barack did great; better than great, actually. I loved when he defended the campaign, and .... us, that we're not "delusional". I thought Hillary was her usual wonky self for the first part while Obama was better at "framing the issues" than her.

Hillary showed herself patently unlikeable, tone deaf, and just nasty with the "plagiarism" stuff. Obama kept his cool, and was compelling. This was the part of the debate on the frontpage of AOL. This will not get her any votes.

The end was kind of weird. Hillary said something to the effect of "we're going to be fine", which to me meant "SHE'LL be fine" if she loses. This might have helped her, but because of her earlier nastiness, which is being more trumped up than anything else, it won't.

Barack maintains frontrunner status after this debate, and was presidential.

[beachmom]

1. OMG. Her best moment was really ..... JRE's best moment.

Markos declares the "plagiarism" issue dead:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2/21/234359/830/75/461653

[Island Blue]

9. Oh. Wow.

She copied JRE here almost word for word here, right down to his body language.

[ginnyinWI]

2. He showed us our new President last night!

She just can't measure up, try as she might. I think the problem is that she's a product of her campaign managers. And they seem to be squabbling about who she should be. She isn't as comfortable in her own skin as he is, try as she might. She's throwing everything at him and it isn't working.

Obama just stays on message. He doesn't attack her; in fact he compliments her. Which makes her look all the more petty and vicious when she comes out with a one-liner to try to knock him down. Good luck with that, Hillary!

The pundits last night on CNN and MSNBC gave their usual instant reactions, but they missed something. They saw essentially a draw, because each one won a few points. What they don't see is the big picture out in America; what they don't get is that Obama is conducting a new kind of politics, and it's resonating with the people. We really don't want our candidate to be unfair and mean. We want someone who can show they are better without resorting to tearing down the opponent. And that includes surrogates.

John Kerry was also this kind of candidate--but he didn't have the organization that Obama has. Dean's DNC seems to be working much better than the last incarnation, and Obama has the ground operation he needs which is turning out to be much more powerful than Hillary's top-down approach. It's a perfect storm for her--her opponent is a charismatic leader, and he's got the ground game he needs to win. And he's flush with cash that she just can't seem to raise.

I'm full of hope this morning! Last night was a very good night. It's going to be fun to watch the pundits as they finally realize what's happening. This is a movement. Some of the more astute are realizing this. The Beltway will get it eventually.

[Luftmensch067]

3. Hee, hee!

Your last sentence can have a couple of meanings! I hope they do "get it" and we can truly reform things!

Completely agree with your other observations!

[Inuca]

5. For the last couple of weeks or so

I keep asking myself "can this REALLY be happening?"... it's as if I have to pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming and that it seems more and more likely that it may actually come to pass. I may have to start hoarding on all those tissues I'll need for the inauguration :-), I am planning on a good cathartic cry

[marlakay]

4. One thing I noticed was when she said something

about him at one time, I can't remember what it was but some kind of small attack, they had the camera on him and he didn't change his expression a tiny bit...he is one calm dude.

[Luftmensch067]

6. Yes, someone at work was talking about their body language

She said he was good at keeping an appearance of calm whereas HRC seemed to tense up whenever he said something she perceived as an attack. Pretty fascinating, because her whole style is defensiveness (and aggression) so it's interesting to see that it translates physically.

[Inuca]

8. The one example I remember

is how when he started talking abut authorizing Iraq she started fretting in her chair.

[ginnyinWI]

7. he really is--

I noticed that with his first response, the day that the totally unfair plagarism charge came out. The most you see might be a slight pursing of the lips, or tiny flash in the eye. This is exactly the temperament we need in the White House. He's very controlled when he needs to be--he never drops the ball. But in other situations he's got that great easy smile and winning personality. I also respect the way he doesn't attack back but rises above it.

One more observation about Hillary. She had so many messages going last night and they were all neutralizing each other. She jabbed at him a few times with those attacks, but then turned around and was "honored" to be there with him. She agreed with his policies but then he had nothing but words. Huh? Personally, I believed the positive statements were more sincere than the negative ones, which seemed so scripted. But she was spinning around in circles and really didn't get anywhere. We can only assume that as President she would be similarly run around in circles by her advisers.

[DFLforever]

10. She lacks authenticity

imo, that's why she was all over the place.

[MBS]

11. Debate will be re-broadcast tonight (Sat) and tomorrow evening

on CNN. (Great for me, as I was traveling Thursday evening, and my VCR isn't working, so I missed it)