Debate: Instant Replay

Subjective, undoubtedly prejudiced reactions:

Two Democratic candidates brought themselves into sharper focus tonight: Joe Biden and, to a lesser extent, Chris Dodd as informed, forceful, experienced and realistic political figures. Whether that kind of heft translates into poll numbers is another question.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, obviously on defense as front runners, lost no ground, with the former First Lady looking somewhat more relaxed than she has been up to now.

John Edwards continued his annoying, buttery-aggressive effort to sound more Democratic-than-thou but came off as the poster boy for opportunism with his synthetic sincerity.

Bill Richardson’s mistaking an Iraq soldier’s mother for his wife reflected the self-absorption that offset many of the sensible things he had to say. By the end of the evening, he had repeated his resume a dozen times.

Mike Gravel overplayed his crotchety, foxy grandfather role while Dennis Kucinich evoked admiration for his sincerity and sadness over the fact that it is irrelevant.

Overall, the tone was satisfyingly serious and collegial if not wildly informative, and an interesting set-up for the God-fearing. self-righteous gang of poseurs later this week.