The debate

[PATRICK]

It is odd for someone to post this who has NOT heard the actual debate. I am more like the guy in the lobby watching the audience file out.

The impression I get, as an Edwards supporter, is that only having a physically off night(the perception thereof by some) prevented Edwards from walking away with a major "win" unlikely though that is in such a format. My major suspicions were also supported in that Hillary slid well through the debate. No one's expectations will likely go up or sone much until she or someone else does more actual damage. That is ambivalent and neutral and can only work if the non-Hillary voters split among other choices. What I suspected of Obama was partly proved tonight in being less than spectacular outside his own podium and in experience with the details of campaigning nationally and presenting his platform. It is early but tonight is not what his campaign needed at all and deflates the star back to human level. He will get no easy path and he had better find the best way to work out the real way. These are all impressions from a gamut of responses. Kucinich is much more the real hero of everything who never threatens the competition like Dean did. And he can never be accorded the respect he has earned. This more than anything is an alarming signal how this is ALL really about specifically choosing a campaign candidate over and above all other values(though thankfully on our sides it is various shades of light rather than darkness). Most Americans feel this is a coronation affair for Hillary, thanks to the idiotic news media which rarely has been right in its own prognostications. Voters and media alike are likely to feign surprise when people choose someone else.

Richardson has mixed reviews and does not profit from mixed reviews.

Which brings it down to Edwards being great or having an off night on the adrenalin scale. Any past performance that disappointed seems due to fatigue, stress and plain old expenditure of self on the campaign trail. That is not good for TV, the last place you want to show 'weakness". One of the miraculous things about Bill Clinton was his continual sufferings during the fall allergy season when the most is expected of a candidate. He would lose his voice get puffy and STILL not lose much support despite having no one give him any slack for having plain old allergies.

Edwards creates high expectations and a very election bitten Democratic audience needs extra assurance more than when Clinton worked his way through. But if that is the worst that can be said of Edwards, that he get more sleep or R&R before these particular events, then tonight I think is the beginning of a victory march. Maybe better a slow beginning anyway at this stage and in this choppy format. Plenty of time to work on the fact that the emotional buildup is ESSENTIAL for this campaign. That emotion will focus on confidence and logic and passion in selecting the best candidate for the presidency even if so many are competent, admirable and deserving of the actual post.

So do the people who support Edwards and watched the debate think this is a good beginning?

[waiting for hope]

1. First off - I wouldn't call it a Debate -

It was a Q & A session. I thought Edwards did well in answering - especially the recent SCOTUS decision on Partial Birth Abortions - he was the only one to mention that it does not protect a woman's life if need be.

I think the questions were staged for Clinton and Obama, and declaring a "winner" is a tad bit premature. I heard Edwards in California from over the weekend and he was electrifying. It's early yet, and the glitter is going to wear thin on the at the moment rock stars.