I just watched the debate replay...

[DJcairo]

and I have to say-by Lieberman and Kucinich going after Dean when everyone thought Kerry would, Kerry proved himself. He knows how to run a campaign and he has confidence in what he says and does. He rose above the fray unlike any of the other candidates. There was no question that he appeared more solid and capable than Howard Dean who kept falling into word for word reiterations of his stump speech.
Everything Kerry said was fresh and this debate wipes out of the press the Kerry vs. Dean matchup and relevels the field.

[LearnedHand]

1. I just watched it, too!

Can I vote for ALL of them (well, maybe with one exception)? I thought they were GREAT! And I loved how it was a mutual Bush Bash for most the first hour!

Folks, not matter what you think about any particular candidate, we've got a TERRIFIC field of candidates from which to choose our next president!

[tabasco]

3. I agree

The only one I don't like is Lieberman.

[DannyRed]

2. DJ

http://nytimes.com/2003/09/05/politics/campaigns/05DEBA.html

read the article...

[sfecap]

4. Not so fast...

I was there. Kerry and Dean are circling each other. It ain't over. I get the impression neither one wanted to fire the first salvo, especially after Lieberman made an ass of himself.

There are interesting days ahead. :-)

[DJcairo]

5. Yes there are, particularly if you a Kerry supporter.

[AP]

6. Watching now.

Carol has a great smile. Doesn't everyone wish she was their mom or aunt? She exudes great personality.

[sandnsea]

7. They all had good moments

Even Lieberman said a couple of things I liked, unfortunately I don't remember them, they were so few!

I thought they all did really well and have already posted what I thought so won't hash it out again. Can't wait to see them all again!

[AP]

8. I think twice Edwards has fielded questions about Iraq and brought

them around to statements about the economy and about middle class opportunity.

That's his theme.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

9. It's a good theme

...considering that Bush wants another $65 BILLION for this war. How can that not be tied to our economy and to middle class opportunity? Edwards is smart to make the connection over and over. I often hear people debating whether the main issue is the economy OR the war in Iraq -- these are not separate issues.

[AP]

10. It's always hard to talk about race if you're a middle-aged white guy

but I have to say, I really liked the Edwards did it. He said that his father moved to a small town in NC in order to improve his situation. 42 years latter that same town is mostly latino. He said nothing has changed though. Those people moved there for the same reasons his father moved there. And he understands those reasons.

This is really powerful.

For comparison, consider Gephardt's outreach (I believe Gep's district was 90% white or 95% white last time time he ran for president). He said, hay, we're all the same underneath. I think that doesn't really reveal more than a little bit of impractical idealism. Edwards gets to the heart of the matter, because it implies that race does make a difference (that town is different, nobody would deny it), but we all want the same thing, and if it made sense for a white working class person, it makes sense for latino working class person.

[CWebster]

11. Too bad he couldn't answer when asked a direct question.

He is such a typical politician. We have a chance to jump-start the party and invigorate issues through the involvement of the people of this country. I get this impression from Kerry that he postures as president rather than responding to constituiency. I get the impression from Kerry that he holds himself above--as the decision-making elite, and looks down with the assumption that, we the little people, don't notice when he dodges the question.

[blm]

12. Blame Kerry because he has a natural bearing

that he had over 30 years ago even. Sheesh, if Dean had half of Kerry's bearing you would be crowing about it from here to eternity.

[CWebster]

13. BLM

you only can play one note.

Actually, I thought Gephardt was in best form last night, but the only tune you toot is Kerry. Might as well have you on ignore, cause it ain't like I'm missing anything.

[virtualobserver]

14. I thought that Kerry looked Presidential......

the only thing that scares me is that I thought that Gore looked 100 times as Presidential as Bush.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

18. SO Kerry's 10 times as presidential as Gore

seriously, the plane Kerry operates on is so far beyond any of these guys except maybe Graham. I don't know how you can even seriously compare any of them to JFKerry.

[virtualobserver]

21. I agree that Kerry is impressive.....

but I have fundamental problems with some of his decisions. I will support him if he wins the nomination.

[unfrigginreal]

15. It was definitely a Gephardt night...

Kerry looked like Kerry...which will only help him with his core supporters.

Dean seemed to be off his game a little...except he handled Lieberman pretty well. His contribution to the party was on stage for everyone to see though...He's forcing his Democratic opponents to sound like Democratics.

Gephardt was on fire! I would never have expected to see myself typing something like that. He sure surprised me.

[DJcairo]

16. Gephardt kept repeating that applause line "...miserable faliure"

It was forced. Kerry came off the most natural in his responses with the smoothest delivery. Damnit...I want a president who doesn't make me nervous everytime he opens his mouth.

[CWebster]

17. It wasn't forced

It was his delivery of it that made it so effective. It was like he summed it up with almost incredulous insight. No, he definitely was the man of the hour with the message.

It was good to hear and although his credibility may be irrepairably damaged with the base, better later than never.

[killbotfactory]

20. Gephardt impressed me for the first time.

I didn't think Gephardt had it in him.

Kerry was okay, but avoided a couple questions from what I remember.

Lieberman was an ass.

Everyone else did fine.

[ProfessorPlum]

19. I thought Kucinich was awesome

He was the only one with the stones to mention the sweetheart deals that Halliburton was getting. And let's face it, single payer health care is really the only thing that makes sense. I don't see people flocking to Dennis as a leader, but his policies were great.