Ok after having a good night's sleep here my 2 cents on last night's debate.
- Format :Muy Horrible. Not enough time to have a debate. or give proper responses. and what's with this 'candidates cannot question other candidates' format that's infected the media ?
There wasnt even a proper sequence, the host just bounced to whoever he felt like. I certian some candidates got ignored (not just gravel)
2 One the actual Debate.
Surprise #1 Hillary's Good!!!. Smooth, Dignified. Not at all shrill. And she's came out strongly agianst the war. I'd happily vote for her.
Dissapointment #1 Obama ??? This is the charismatic guy who's going to lead the party ? needs another 4 years in the spotlight. He has lots of potential but he's shaky.
Surprise # 2 Kucinich is mainstream !!!. Seriously every position that Kucinich took will have at least 40% support. Came across very calm . idealistic but sensible.
p.s. He needs to appear with his wife some more. According to the female members of my family "dork with hot wife who adores him" plays very well. he's middle aged but his positions and sincerity dont make him seem old.
Disappointment #2 Edwards. That's a 400$ haircut ? Also the son of a millworker thing is getting kinda repitious. You dont need to give a story everytime you talk.
Surprise #3 Biden can laugh at himself. He's also really smart and polished. Also willing to push back against Gravel and Kucinich on foriegn policy.
Mixed Review #1 Richardson. Really smart, really knowledgeable. His constantly going over the limit wont hurt him with people who want a policy wonk. but he needs to organize and calm himself a little better. Came across a bit like the professor who briliant but cant be punctual to save his life.
Mixed Review #2 Gravel. He's loud and aggressive but you know what? I agreewith everything he said. Reminds me a bit of Agnew.Eminently quatable. He'd be an ideal attack dog VP.
Wallflower: Dodd. DIdnt make any big splash or any mistakes, but considering he's polling one poercent, that's a death sentence.
Assessment:
Hillary :+ She's consolidated her position as the "Most Presidential" of the group.
Biden + Consolidated position as the "Most Vice Presidential " of the group
Kucinich :+ managed to be both strident and reasonable. If impeachment ever gets rolling, he'll gain a lot of cred.
Gravel + Nothing to lose. He's going to get the angry democrat vote. and they're quite a few angry democrats.
Richardson small+ looked knowledgeable but unprepared.
Obama: Didnt gain , didnt lose
Edwards : Didnt gain , didnt lose.
Dodd: Didnt gain , didnt lose (but he's got so little support , that actually bad) .