IMO: round one - #1 Obama, #2 Clinton. Round 2 - Clinton #1, Obama #2

[wyldwolf]

Biden very very strong.

Clinton just as strong as first debate - Obama improved his game. Not overly impressed with Edwards or Richardson (especially Richardson's Darfur answer.)

[kikiek]

1. Clinton was very good, and so was Kucinich. Those were my 2 favorites. I don't care what

anyone says about Clinton she is a great candidate. Of course that is why she's constantly attacked by the left and right!

[jenmarie]

23. I'm not a Clinton supporter

but I agree with your assessment. She and Kucinich did best.

[doggyboy]

29. I also agreed

though Richardson, Dodd, and Biden did themselves some good tonight.

[cadmium]

2. What did you think of Dodd?

It is hard to score the debate when the questions are not directed/distributed evenly. I think Dodd was appeared to have the most clear and commanding answers. He never missed a beat.

[wyldwolf]

6. I think you're correct about the distribution of questions and time...

..which is why the candidates have to make an impression with the time they're given - Biden for example. Dodd, to me, is rational and sensible but just doesn't stand out, IMHO.

[Colobo]

3. Hillary and Barack need to join forces; that ticket is unbeatable.

[venable]

8. they worry me - the two most accomodating candidates

and we need some steel.

[jefferson_dem]

11. Fuck that. I sure hope he doesn't pick her as VP...

:bounce:

[venable]

4. Edwards, Dodd, Richardson

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[primative1]

7. Biden for SOS ..

I saw a stage full of BS artists and Biden whos Darfor answer told me he should be SOS ... did you see after he finished his answer how he was still worked up about it? ... no BS in that ... The rest of this debate was too rehearsed and unconvincing except maybe Gravels dig at Clintons balanced budget myth

[TeamJordan23]

9. Obama and Clinton Did Well, Richardson is DONE!

Richardson just continued his Meet the Press interview into this debate. I think he is done. There were some periods where I just couldn't bare listening to his answers.

I think Obama did really well (big improvement from 1st debate). Clinton did well, but continued to stay safe. Biden also stood out for me.

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[jefferson_dem]

10. I agree with your scores.

Edwards was virtually non-existent to me. That's not good.

[Cameron27]

13. I think his plan to go after

Obama and Clinton backfired. He just didn't get anywhere with it.

[mckeown1128]

34. I thought Edwards rocked but ...

his momentum was lost when Obama hit him with the four and a half years quip. they really should run together in the general

[wyldwolf]

14. It looked to me that both Clinton and Obama knew where their weaknesses were and worked on them

Obama, very good in an intimate setting, knew he had to kick his game up a notch for the "formal" debate setting of round 1... and he did.

Clinton, often accused of being detatched, obviously worked on her more personalized persona - and it worked in round 2.

[Cameron27]

15. I agree

Obama improved significantly from the last debate, and Clinton showed a lot of leadership with the way she handled the debate itself. And she was really funny at times.

WTF happened to Richardson?

[wyldwolf]

17. I think a lot of us, me included, are impressed with Richardson's resume...

[Colobo]

18. Richardson simply doesn't have it.

This race is about Clinton and Obama.

[polichick]

16. Clinton was impressive from start to finish...

And I loved how she kicked Wolf's butt about those hypothetical questions!

Glad Kucinich and Gravel kept pointing out that Dems can stop the war NOW. (Assuming Bush has the decency to bring the troops home when funding is cut.)

[Tellurian]

25. Actually, my picks are (1) Hillary (2) Biden (3) Richardson..

Edwards and Obama are tied for (4)-
We might see Richardson and Biden surge ahead of Edwards and Obama!

[illinoisprogressive]

19. obama rocked

[PresidentObama]

20. Obama and Clinton didn't impress me. Edwards did what he needed to do: distance himself.

From the two frontrunners. I liked his spill about leading and not following.

[Colobo]

21. Edwards tried... but I don't think he gained any points out of his performance tonight.

[ripple]

28. I liked Obama's response to that n/t

[draft_mario_cuomo]

37. It was telling. Obama's defense on not leading was, essentially, "but, but, I was right in 2002!"

It is indicative of him not being able to point to any actual leadership on Iraq since he became a national figure three years ago. His voting record, his convenient silent at critical periods (since becoming a national figure with the ultimate ambition. We all know he was courageous in 2002 when he was an obscure local politician), his plan for Iraq are all HRC-like. In fact, their voting record is 99% identical on Iraq. The lone difference is HRC voting against confirming Gen. Pace while Obama voted for his confirmation.

[rodeodance]

22. Clinton ttook charge tonight looking very "presidential"

[Tellurian]

24. Agreed, Hillary was excellent!

She held her own just fine among her colleagues vying for her front runner status. I noticed how irritable the board is tonight most likely because Hillary is surging ahead while the other 2 favorites are falling behind. Hillary looked excellent and in charge. She looked rested and ready to enthusiastically engage Wolf's questions with quick concise answers. She delivered. I noticed the audience loved her responses. They rewarded her with liberal applause several times for hitting the mark. End the War in Iraq! And the comment about the diplomatic Dick Cheney...not.. drew laughter and applause as a the coolest left handed remark of the night.

[Auntie Bush]

27. I think Clinton won and the media seem to agree. However

the media didn't like Richardson but a lot of folks here seem to think he did a good job. I'm kind if in the middle.

[Tellurian]

30. What it is I think ..

Richardson improved 110% from his last appearance and seemed more relaxed and comfortable in the format.

Oops, Arianna is on cnn now. Why does she look orange all over?

[Adelante]

26. That's just who I picked

Clinton, Obama, Biden

[zulchzulu]

31. I think Clinton did well enough, but Obama stuck out as a leader in both rounds

Perhaps people are thinking Senator Clinton is going to just fall apart...she won't. I thought Obama tried to play the above board candidate who wanted to stop leading questions and even offered compliments to other candidates.

Clinton fans should be proud. Obama fans should continue to be very proud. Edwards fans should be well advised that his attacking other candidates with misleading or disingenuous chatter won't bode well and Obama will come back and slap him with the truth that might make him have to get another expensive haircut. Biden fans should be proud too.

[dsc]

32. She did well

on the other hand you did her no favors here, at least with me. Just a word many Dean supporters are genuinely undecided this time. Calling them names while fighting with someone who may or may not support Dean, isn't a great way to court those supporters. I was leaning toward Richardson but his performance on MTP certainly didn't help. Tonight Hillary helped herself as did both Biden and Obama. But you sure didn't help her or Obama with this thread.

[Pithy Cherub]

33. This assessment, I actually agree with.

Obama & Clinton kept and increased their donor base for the rest of this quarter. Egads, Richardson. Biden thought everyone was hard of hearing...

[Hippo_Tron]

35. I was impressed with Edwards' Iran answer, Richardson's energy answer

Obama is still the candidate I'm leaning toward, but his inexperience in front of a camera is quite apparent. He's going to need to improve that.

[StudentProgressive]

36. American people both rounds: 0

:(