Who won tonights debate?

[Sean Reynolds]

Easy question.........

[CMT]

1. I think they all did well, but

Dean was very much in control. He didn't dominate the debate but when he was on he was very presidential and handled the attacks thrown at him by Kerry and Gep with ease. A great job, his best debate yet imo.

[Cha]

6. Great! Did Dean do all the things you suggested in your

analysis post yesterday that he should consider? :)

[CMT]

11. well

yes-he was presidential, didn't make any gaffes, was deferential to the General, didn't come across as an attack dog, spoke of his record. So, by golly he did, Zid!! I think I will be a pundit. :)

[AlinPA]

22. Agreed.

He handled the attack by Gep. well, surprised that Sharpton told Dean to cool it, when Gep. struck at him.

[union_maid]

29. I honestly don't think Lieberman did very well

Even if he didn't get booed. They all did well and as many have said, just as in the previous debates, the Democrats were the winners. They really were, because they're pretty much still on message, saving most of their finger pointing for the correct target - Bush.

I liked Edwards on most of his questions. I always like him when I see him. I thought Dean did very well, although I really don't agree with him on the tax cuts, given the current situation. I think that letting the middle class keep theirs is better for now, and I have no axe to grind. I'm not getting any to speak of. Sharpton is always just fun and the voice of reason, too. I love Braun. I'm very glad that she's in this campaign, not only to add her voice, but because it's an opportunity to elevate her career and therefore her influence. Wasn't that impressed with Kerry, but I don't think he did badly either. Gephardt just doesn't do it for me. That's not a political assessment at all. I just find him mildly annoying. Maybe it is a political assessment. I guess I'm still mad at him for not noticing when it was time to stop being non-partisan, or not being effective enough. It's probably unfair on my part, but it's there. Clark made great points, but he's got a bit to go to learn about this format. He stuck to his allotted time for one thing. Might be that military discipline or something. Made him too concise at times. I think he did very well, though, and extremely well for a new candidate.

All in all, I can't say anyone won, or that anyone lost. I think it was a discussion more than a debate as all of these are. They're important discussions, though.

[im4edwards]

32. Joe was off tonight

n/t

[glarius]

2. EVERYONE of them is a VAST IMPROVEMENT over Bush!

I'm Canadian....watched the debate....whoever you chose down there from these candidates is such a huge improvement over Bush!....I was impressed by them all in one way or another....Good luck to you guys (and the rest of the world)....Bush has to be replaced!:hi:

[gully]

8. Thanks Glarius!

:hi:

[glarius]

14. You're welcome!

:hi:

[maha]

3. All of the above.

I doubt any minds were changed. I think they all did well.

[VolcanoJen]

4. They really didn't "debate," though.

So I'd have to say nobody won, nobody lost.

But WE won, that's for certain. Our Field of 10 was showcased and they each performed admirably.

The debates will become more like debates only when candidates begin dropping out and the field is narrowed... but honestly, I wish they could all hang in there until the end. What a fantastic display of Democratic ideals, hopes and dreams.

[Padraig18]

5. They ALL did well!

I was soooo impressed! :)

[JohnKleeb]

7. I am suprised DK only got 4 votes because I am seeing

former critics say he did well.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

10. I Voted For Edwards Because I Thought He Won The Debate

I have never been so torn between candidates in my life even as a kid.....


In 68 I knew it was Bobby

In 72 I knew it was McGovern

In 76 I knew it was Jerry Brown

In 80 I knew it was Ted Kennedy

In 84 I knew it was Gary Hart

In 88 I knew it was Al Gore (after Gary Hart imploded)

In 92 I knew it was Bill Clinton

In 96 I knew it was Bill Clinton

In 00 I knew it was Al Gore

This time I just don't know.... I just don't know...

[JohnKleeb]

12. interesting

I know you were being fair I saw your thread.

[im4edwards]

33. I agree (no surprize)

04 ? I know, its Edwards. You heard him, you saw him. Can any of the others do that ? I just don't think so. Kerry is closest but he's from the wrong state to get elected without changing his name.

[hang a left]

9. I am a non commited voter, I thought that

Edwards won the debate. However I only saw the second half. I will watch repeat later. But from what I did see, that is my take. I thought that Clark looked very tense and nervous and a couple of times he did not completely answer questions posed to him, I found it embarrassing. I think that Mosley-Braun also did very well. Kerry looks very Presidential. Dean did very well. I love Sharpton, he is hilarious. Lieberman was comical a couple of times, which you don't see very often, however because of personal bias against him, I can't listen to him objectively. Kucinich, well, I just love his ideas, he is exactly what this country needs but frankly, he does not have a chance, IMO. Graham, just looks so old to me up there with the others, I liked a couple of things that he said but, I am suspicious of his actions within the Senate Intelligence Commitee, so I cannot be objective there either. Gebhardt, I just don't like, he is too too whorish, can't be objective there again.

[bowens43]

13. The Democratic Party

was the clear winner.

[RichM]

15. How the hell can there be almost NO votes for Sharpton? Justify that!

Sharpton is second to none of them when it comes to masterful performances in this type of event. He mixes tremendous wit with passion, & surprisingly intelligent, informed & thoughtful responses. If no one here is voting for him, it can only mean that people here are voting for their own pre-chosen favorites REGARDLESS of how the candidates actually performed!

[JohnKleeb]

19. You know I really like him

It was a treat seeing him speak last October in DC at an anti war rally.

[AlinPA]

23. Sharpton is also from the Democratic wing of the party.

Sounded like a good Dem to me. I think he exhibits maturity and boldness and does not shirk any questions.

[im4edwards]

35. Actually I thought he was a little off tonight

and Edwards was quite sharp. Sure I have a bias but its not just me who thought he carried the day.

[FubarFly]

16. I thought everyone did well.

Edwards is impressing more and more each time I see him. He has an easy charm and a firm grasp on the issues.

Braun needs to be given more respect. Her answers are honest and brilliant.

Sharpton is showing that he is more than his wonderful one-liners.

Lieberman is actually attacking b*sh now.

Kucinich says the things that no one else dares to say.

Dean is handling his front runner status with class and grace, while maintaining his spirit and edge.

Clark is showing that he is not a mirage. He is leveling the playing field faster than I anticipated.

Graham's experience as both Senator and Governor makes him strong in both domestic and foreign policy issues.

Kerry always handles himself with considerable aplomb. He is dignified and well-spoken.

Gephardt proves time and time why deserves his labor endorsements.

:toast: Go Dems!

[Clark Can WIN]

20. I agree with every single

last thing you said.

I do STRONGLY disagree with Lieberman's touting *s ego trip as a "just" war, but he displayed flashes of humanity today, that was refreshing.

[maha]

26. Agree.

I think they all did well.

[Clark Can WIN]

17. Is it just me? Or did they act

like Carol had already dropped out. No matter which way you slice it that's rude.

[im4edwards]

37. got a lot of microphone time

I noticed that

[Robin Hood]

18. Sharpton and Kucinich both won the debates.

And what a great team that would be.

[Malikshah]

21. Dean for responding when he needed

And in a way that clarified the swipes made by Gephardt.

Sharpton parroted the statement about going after *

It wasn't a debate except for the Gep/Dean exchange in my book and Dean won that one hands down. Kerry tried to get in on the action later but came across as a "parser of words" He'd have done better to let it lie.

[AlinPA]

24. Lieberman should quit; he splits the party.

If he were out, we'd look tougher...and united.

[PurityOfEssence]

39. Between what and what?

For my own greedy interests, he's a slight spoiler to splinter the farther right votes, so I'm happy to keep him around. Let's face it, though: he hasn't got a chance.

I want a much farther left person who can convincingly stomp Junior, and that might just be an attainable goal here...

[nomaco-10]

25. Dean

He looked more comfortable in this debate than the last. He was confident and composed, he handled any critism that came his way with class and clarity. He spoke with candor on every issue and he won the debate as far as I'm concerned.

[Sean Reynolds]

27. Kick

:kick:

[Wonk]

30. kick

[dsc]

28. Kucinich and Dean

did the best they have done in a debate. Kucinich looked like the Kucinich we know up here. Dean looked like a front runner should look.

[Fabio]

38. Dean looked like a front runner should look?

Explain, if you dont mind.

[deek]

31. poop

I was composing this message while the other thread was being locked:

I don't see anything about


Kucinich. Unfortunately, I was not able to view the debate since I don't subscribe to cable. Cherry was very diplomatic in encouraging me to share my frustration with my legislators. This is an extremely valid concern.

I incorrectly assumed I could watch the replay via MSNBC. doh--it's a cable (not internet channel). How is the general American public going to view these candidates if someone like myself can not?

Please help us highlight this outrage. Write a note to your representatives, NBC, DNC, & whomever else you think should hear about this injustice.

So please enlighten me: Was Kucinich's light able to shine through???

Thank you.

[Dr Fate]

34. Rather than say who won, I'll say who suprised me...

...Edwards, Lieberman, Gephart- from the way some DUers talk about these DEMS- you would think they were "in on it" with Bush-

...the debates clearly showed that even the candidates who are unpopular at DU can shine...

[Evanstondem]

36. My wife liked Graham the most

but I have control of the mouse.

[TLM]

40. Dean, all the way...

Edwards and Kucinich also did very well.

I was really disapointed with Kerry and Gephardt. They both looked really bad trying to BS about stuff Dean said 10 years ago, like he said it yesterday. And I think Dean did a very good job of showing the attacks for what they were.

Clark did not impress me. I was looking at him with some high hopes... but there wasn't much there.

The rest did not really stand out.