Democratic debate round-up: the reviews are in

Last night was the first night premiere for the 2008 Presidential election, as the eight Democratic candidates starred in a televised debate. So here are the reviews of last night’s performances.

Hillary Clinton

The general consensus seems to be Hillary was the winner. Our very own Gerard Baker, usually a trenchant critic, thought:

Hillary Clinton, former First Lady and now New York senator, reminded everyone why she has long been the favourite to win the Democratic nomination. In a controlled, highly disciplined performance which emphasised her experience and knowledge of all the big issues, she looked presidential

The Guardian and The Politico also hand her a points victory. But Slate’s John Dickerson didn’t join her on a lap of honour:

She didn't do anything to fix her big problem which is improving her image as too divisive to get elected. The latest Gallup survey found that 52% of respondents have an unfavorable view of her. She never got a chance to connect with voters the way Edwards did and she didn't confect such a moment

Barack Obama

The Obama bandwagon seemed to stall during tepid performance last night. John Dickerson summed up the consensus:

Barack Obama did just fine, but he wasn't the magical character who turns out massive adoring crowds at his rallies

Gerard Baker agreed:

Hesitant and slightly tongue-tied at first, he fumbled through his early answers and took too long to get to the point. More importantly, he didn’t really flesh out his long vaunted claim that he stands for a new kind of politics

But The National Review’s Kate O’Beirne awarded the debate to Obama, but still managed to take a pop at him:

Overall, I thought a comfortable and self-confident Obama held his own on a stage with far more seasoned politicians. But his demeanor was more impressive than his content

John Edwards

He might have had the best hair, but the big loser seems to be the former South Carolina Senator. Gerard Baker thought “the spoiler” candidate had the worst night:

John Edwards, the former senator from North Carolina, and John Kerry’s running mate in the 2004 election, probably had the most disappointing night. Perhaps unsettled by an early question about his infamous $400 haircut recently, oddly he largely failed to get across his populist economic message

And Mickey Kaus was left distinctly unimpressed:

Edwards kind of faded into the background. Crickets didn't chirp - they completed their entire life-cycle during the pause after Edwards was asked to name his "moral leader"

Best Supporting Actor?

Joe Biden’s one word wonder was enough to take home the best-of-the-rest award. John Dickerson explains:

Senator Biden had a great moment when Brian Williams asked with a long wind-up if Biden had the discipline not to be a "gaffe machine" and exhibit "uncontrolled verbosity." His response: yes

Of the other whatjamacallem candidates, Chris Cillizza writing on the Washington Post's The Fix blog said:

Former Sen. Mike Gravel was downright mean, repeatedly attacking his fellow candidates; he even referred to Biden as "arrogant" at one point. He made Kucinich seem like a teddy bear by comparison

And Kate O’Bierne sums it up nicely:

The only obvious mistake of the evening was failing to figure out how to deny podiums for Kucinich and Gravel

And finally, on Bill Richardson and Chris Dodd – well, no-one really had anything interesting to say about them, which tells you all you need to know.

Murad Ahmed

Comments

[yvette]

I think Biden should become a front runner, I usually swing republican, but if he was running, I may just have to swing my vote, he seemed the most intelligent and articulate in his answers. Hillary was all anti- Bush, completely negative almost everytime she could get a jab in at him re the war, yet he has kept us safe 6 yrs. Obama just seemed to be grappling for whatever answer the thought would be best received. And they should all be ashamed of themselves for not wanting English as our official language, we can't all be speaking all different dialects and be able to manage gov, and businesses effectively, come on, lets quit giving political correctness, and minority groups the majority just because we may be ashamed to be the majority language. Should English, Americans, and caucasions disappear just because we allow and let in immigrants, or should we be proud of our English language since it established the United States. Shouldn't it be a symbol of our heritage as is the bald eagle, and our flag. I just hope if Hillary gets it we aren't attaced right away be terrorists, with all her anti war propganda. Also I liked Binden's comment re Darfur, that we should be not afraid to use force to stop the killing in Darfur. Are we not humans who should police the worlds inhumane ways, or should we just talk everything to death without weapons as the UN always tries. Use diplomacy first if it works, but save lives if needed with force.

[Renee]

One statement for all of Yvette's ramblings: Hillary will make history!

[Sqlman44]

One of the candidates that I've never really liked impressed me with how much "homework" he did. John Edwards, however, could have done it in a more "tactful" way if he had only made his attacks against Obama and Clinton less obvious. See an example during the debate on Iraq War strategies...

http://www.thenewsroom.com/details/368371?c_id=mam

[Turducken]

No way jose! George W Bush. I would re-elect him over these clowns. Right? common.