The best and worst for each candidate tonight

[BeyondGeography]

Obama: Got off to a slow start; he prefers to counter-punch and point out the flaws in others' answers rather than go after them unprovoked. Best moment: Calling BS on Hillary's refusal to release her records. Second best moment: "I know there is life here on earth," as a follow-up to the UFO question. Worst moment: The airline question; caught him off guard, stumbled around and he didn't realize there was a 30-second limit.

Edwards: Who needs to take the gloves off with Hillary when this guy is in attack mode? I started to wonder what it would be like to be up against him in a losing court case (or any case, for that matter). Able to leap tall rhetorical buildings in a single bound. Only problem with an otherwise classic kill-the-frontrunner performance: Not nearly enough time spent saying what he would actually DO as President.

Clinton: Hopeless at answering direct questions. She needs to finally understand how bad this makes her look. Taps into every fear that people have of her fundamental dishonesty. Best moments: Remembering to steer the conversation back to bashing Bush and the Republicans. Worst moment: Not only botching the drivers license question, but raising her voice in the process and looking rattled.

Richardson: Good at playing the experience card and gave some pretty substantial answers. I don't, however, like his tendency to inflate his experience edge, as he did in saying that he was the only person on the stage to negotiate with a foreign government. Best moment: Gave the most complete and substantial answer on energy. Worst moment: Sucking up to Hillary by saying her attackers were "holier than thou." Looked as if all he cared about was the VP nod.

Dodd: I always find him solid in these debates. He was feisty and prepared, and played to win. Best moment: Having the guts to say pot should be decriminalized. Worst moments: Often overheated in his delivery, particularly when arguing about old bills that he has sponsored. He tends to fall into this, "doesn't anyone realize how great I've been in my career?" rut.

Biden: Also did well, particularly on his strong suit (foreign policy); by the time he gets called on you realize how deep the field is in this race. Best moment: Nailing Rudy with the, "Noun, verb and 9/11" line. Worst moment: Saying he would shut down all toy imports from China. A little too inflammatory and over-the-top for me.

Kucinich: More thoughtful and restrained than usual and had much better stage presence as a result. Best moment: Scolding the media for beating the drums for war; I absolutely loved him for that. Worst moment: Banging the impeachment drum too many times. Once would have been enough.

[wiseguy182]

1. good analysis

good anaylsis. Dodd reminds me a lot of John Kerry, both long term senators from the Northeast, and they sound senatorial. Kucinich impressed me more tonight, although I have reservations about voting for him: he makes himself seem like the candidate that is the least afraid to take on Bush and the GOP, and is willing to stand up for what he believes in, where I think some of the others try to play it safe and give responses they think will bode well with the audience.

[JeffR]

2. Thank you. Didn't get to see the debate

but I like the sound of honest opinions. I'll be interested, too, if anyone disagrees with you.

[Superman Returns]

3. pretty much right

nicely done

[AtomicKitten]

4. Yep, I see all of it.

Well done, sir.

[Rydz777]

5. Trevelling, I missed seeing it - but yours is a great summary. Thanks. nt