TIME: Grading the August 7 Democratic Debate

[DeepModem Mom]

Hillary Clinton
Grade: B+


(Scott Olson / Getty Images)
Senator Hillary Clinton

Presented a forceful front, boasting of her electability and capacity to stand up to Republicans. Once again turned the other cheek in the face of several attacks from John Edwards, but in urging Democrats to show unity and play nice, she seemed to conveniently forget her own recent attack on Obama as "naïve." Furthermore, she delighted in joining the others on stage in chiding Obama for his own remark about using force in Pakistan (for which she was notably booed). Attempted to present a wonky-but-cool persona; instead occasionally came off as a show-offy-teachers-pet-know-it-all. Tried to clean up last weekend's controversial defense of lobbyists by touting her pro-reform, anti-special interest credentials. Finessed her NAFTA response without explicitly trashing her husband. Referred to herself variously as "sister" and "girl" in a winsome mélange of post-feminism and teeny-bopper giddiness. Still, under the heat — literally and figuratively — she didn't wilt.

Barack Obama
Grade: B+

Relied on his early opposition to the war in Iraq to fight off an attack from Chris Dodd, but compounded his "experience" problem by rambling about foreign policy at times. If, as many think, he is not benefiting from all the focus on his national security credibility, then he had some bad moments. Referenced renegotiating NAFTA with a Canadian "president," which, in his case, counts as a conspicuous gaffe. Dodged a question about what to do should al-Qaeda take over Iraq following American withdrawal. Other than over-employing his standard verbal tic — punctuating his sentences with "Uhs" — he was mostly cool and collected. Talked masterfully and accessibly about trade and international economics. At the stadium, much of the crowd was palpably rooting for him; but on TV he didn't fully benefit from the Chicago home-field advantage.

John Edwards
Grade: B+

On fire — if a bit hot — whenever he got a chance to talk, but disappeared for long stretches, disrupting some of his momentum and aspirations to reach first-tier status. Twice challenged Hillary Clinton (though without naming her) on taking contributions from lobbyists and serving as big business's favorite candidate. Worked double time to pursue his current go-for-broke strategy by being the anti-Washington candidate of change, and followed the advice of the philosopher Graham Parker: passion is no ordinary word.

Dennis Kucinich
Grade: B

Declared himself "the workers' candidate," winning over the crowd with pumped up rhetoric about killing NAFTA, bashing China and supporting union rights. Got off the best equine metaphor of the night when he compared himself to Seabiscuit. Audience reaction throughout was warm and encouraging, and he handled himself with chipper poise....

(NOTE: The remaining candidates and their grades are: Senator Dodd, B; Senator Biden, B-; Governor Richardson, C+.)

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1650789_1650786,00.html?xid=site-cnn-partner

[Dawgs]

1. They all got B+'s; except for the best last night (Kucinich)

Whatever!!

[Connie_Corleone]

2. None of them answered the Al Qaeda in Iraq after we leave question.

They all talked about their plan for getting out of Iraq instead.

[Meldread]

3. Their vote on Kucinich is off. He clearly won the debate.

The few times he was allowed to speak people were applauding each and every time. He commanded the crowd. He was also able to speak clearly and concisely about what he wanted to say before going over his time. In that time he managed to deliver witting and amusing metaphors letting the audience laugh. He even had John Edwards cracking up over his comment on digging a hole to China.

Of course, you'd never hear anyone say Kucinich stood out better than any of the other candidates. He was the only one who clearly outlined his stance on the issues, and it made him stand out like a neon sign.