A better poll: Which front-runner had the best performance tonight?

[Colobo]

Let's be real- the fight is between Hillary, Obama and Edwards and they all did a superb job. Now, HONESTLY, who had the best night?

[Caution]

1. But DK consistently polls 3% of likely Democratic Voters! If only the MSM would take him seriously!

:sarcasm:

[Colobo]

2. Kucinich/Gravel '08- The ticket that can't be beaten.

[Peregrine Took]

3. Gravel was the best, hands down. "Top 3"? Platitudes and cliches. Sigh....

boring!!!!!!!!!!

[defendandprotect]

4. Kucinich win -- Hillary/Edwards tie -- with Edwards in front

[illinoisprogressive]

5. Obama followed by Edwards

[Bullet1987]

6. Obama, simply because he sounded stronger and more resolved

Still needs to work on the "ums" though. But I think people have become used to it.

[Colobo]

7. He's a thinking guy- is his style.

[saltpoint]

17. I'd rate Obama very, very high on that thinking scale you're talking about.

Agree with you that it's part of who he is -- his style. Yes.

But I think he's even brighter than folks know. Two close friends are volunteers for Obama's campaign. They report that his IQ is astronomincally high and that he downplays his intelligence so as not to overwhelm listeners.

I think dolphins are smarter than we are. But I don't think they're smarter than Barack Obama.

[alkaline9]

10. he did improve quite a bit...

I am not worried about "umm", he's very well spoken, strong voice, and after shrub Obama is a breath of fresh air. In fact a 4 year old is a breath of fresh air compared to the chimp.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

8. Edwards followed by Obama. BO really came to play tonight

He was very inconsistent in past debates but he lived up to his potential tonight.

[saltpoint]

15. I second that order, with all three frontrunners holding their own in

any mental matchup by tv viewers against the entire -- ENTIRE -- Republican field.

It must have been a torturous evening for those viewers who traditionally vote GOP to see how good our people are, because it would more than suggest that more than a few of their fannies are going to be kicked and kicked good in November of 2008.

Go, Democrats.

[alkaline9]

9. they were all good but, Edwards a little less than Clinton and Obama

Clinton and Obama both did a very good job. Obama had his audience, and perhaps a younger question base helped? Clinton was solid all around (I didn't like all her answers, but she was confident in them, like a president). Edwards was good, but I think he might have lost some support on his struggle to answer the gay marriage question (otherwise he seems to the left of the other 2, and I think that's his main appeal?)

Not asked, but I'm giving my $0.02 anyway :p Richardson was solid, very vice presidential, which I think he is hoping for at this point with his extensive intl experience. Biden, well, maybe I just don't like him personally... he seemed to be going for the right of center crowd, eh. The other 3 might as well have been random questioners as they barely got any air time... I suppose the M$S has already chosen for us. I liked Kucinich pushing to get air-time for DO SOMETHING NOW!, which is perhaps all he can hope for at this point. Gravel kept it light... is that his goal now? Dodd was good, but not much time... I think he could be selected for another cabinet position as long as he doesn't point too many fingers early on, and now he has more name recognition.

[polichick]

11. I'd give it to Hillary...

...because her delivery is so good and she benefits so much from her experience ~ for example she knows that it might not be smart to meet with difficult leaders in her very first year. Though not liberal enough to be my ideal candidate, she really could hit the ground running.

[Rowdyboy]

23. She gets better with each joint appearance....She's quick on her feet

I'm far more optimistic about her chances in the general election than I was early in the year.

[nickinSTL]

12. right...the media-annointed "leaders"

honestly, my pick for winner tonight was Biden, followed VERY closely by Edwards. Obama did better than in previous debates, IMO.

[JANdad]

13. I am forced to agree with you on this one....CRAP!

[LWolf]

14. HONESTLY,

if those are the only 3 in the fight, then it's not my fight. :shrug:

Your question isn't valid; you can't pick a "winner" unless they all get to answer all the questions, with equal time given.

Hillary and Edwards both did well, although they don't earn my support.

Obama and Dodd lost big points with me. Gravel? He stumbled on public ed, and so get's no points from me.

Richardson and DK were best. Biden gets a point for the "baby" comment, although he's not in the running for my vote.

[Colobo]

16. Why did Obama lose points with you?

[LWolf]

19. These points:

1. Leaving nuclear power "on the table."
2. Leaving corporate insurance companies and drug companies "at the table" in the quest for universal healthcare.
3. Declining to mandate universal healthcare.
4. Repetitively beginning statements about Iraq with "I opposed it from the beginning," when he didn't oppose funding it, and DOES oppose a quick withdrawal.

Last week, it was support for merit pay for teachers.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

20. It was interesting to see Kucinich directly call Obama on #4

I am surprised Kucinich's (valid. You can't legitimately say you are against something you help finance) criticism of Obama has not generated any discussion at DU.

[LWolf]

21. Inconvenient Truths are often "ignored," lol. n/t

[antiimperialist]

18. The Diplomacy question made me switch from Edwards to Obama

Edwards and Clinton said they would send some kind of aides to "test the waters" before speaking to foreign leaders. wtf! Aren't you the president? Can't you just go there and tell them straight up what's up?

[draft_mario_cuomo]

22. No, every administration would do the same

Obama simply did not mention that, and several BO supporters at DU have noted that it is understood that Obama, like anyone else, would lay the groundwork for any summit beforehand. He isn't going to wake up one morning, hop on a plane, land in Tehran and just knock on the Iranian leader's door.

[BringBigDogBack]

24. Barack, then JE

[TeamJordan23]

25. ditto. They both had their best debates thus far. nm

[IndianaGreen]

26. No need to shove those 3 down our throats like the MSM is!

Kucinich won the debate!