Slow start--Hillary talked too long in opening answer; Obama stumbled and didn't sound very clear. Edwards running on about green investment. Everyone wants to throw in every but the kitchen sink for their first answer. Hopefully, they'll settle down to simple, direct answers.

Workin in the mill.

Well, that didn't take long.

hillary and barack are having a catfight over ronald reagan...whew!!!!!

I'm thinking this is going to be a VERY good debate. (Can someone ease Edwards off stage so Clinton and Obama can have at it?)

LOL. This is getting funny!

Nice one, Edwards!

Well, if anyone thinks Barack will be Hillary's running mate after that exchange has another thing coming.

Whoa. Plenty of ill advised comments on both sides.

When Obama addressed some of the attacks Bill Clinton has made, Hillary said, "Well I'm here and he's not."

To be fair, Bill Clinton her co-president should be on stage and in the debate. Hillary cannot have him using is stature as a former president on her behalf and not stand accountable for what he says and does.

Hillary is a hypocrite.

couldn't agree more, swarty...some ill-advised stuff, for sure. they're back on topic now, thanks to edwards, who's playing quite the peace-maker role tonight...

Is it me, or does Hillary sound angry?

this is the first dem debate where the candidates are REALLY going after each other...point by point, hillary notes what barack did or did not do and, point by point, Barack does it with her, too...wow. Gloves are off, folks...

this debate is HOT HOT HOT

He's drawing her out and she's looking shrill.

Not saying its fair, but he's doing his version of hardball

she's claiming he voted "present" and not yea or nay on a large number of votes...no straight answer from him, she charges. he's replying: don't just pick and choose from among my 4,000 votes and say anything to get elected, you're not making statements factually accurate.

these are the themes of these two nowadays, and it's as well they face each other and say it. now edwards is going after barack and says he picks and chooses votes about his opponents, too.

should wolf stop this now...has this fist-swinging gone on long enough?

Matthew said "Hillary looks in control and presidential. Obama looks and acts angry.Hillary looks in control and presidential. Obama looks and acts angry."

Evidently you missed a lot Matthew.

Jim, not meant as spin. Look at now, Clinton is answering question on AIDS. She is clear, direct, speaking to audiance. She sounds and looks in control. Obama isn't as clear so far. And, tonight, Edwards seems more sniping (maybe his only role at this point.) Again, sorry if it sounded like spin. Not intended as such.

Man, I was trying to get myself used to Clinton being president, but she's acting like a major a**hole tonight and her attacks are as slimy, weassely twisting of reality as I've ever heard. I almost wonder if I'm not listening to Rudy when she talks.

I'm sure Hillary has lots of good qualities, but she's REALLY blowing it tonight.

I suppose Obama doesn't come off as bad as Hillary tonight, but frankly, I'm not sure who looks good tonight. I suppose Edwards does merely out of sympathy for getting squeezed out of a 3 person debate. Sheesh! What would happen if there were 7 or 8 people on stage. Would a Dodd talk time graph show 45% Clinton, 45% Obama and about 1% each for every other candidate?

Hillary got booed. I think that's the first time I've seen that in one of the big debates so far.

ds, yep. And it was a unanimous "boo", not one cheer to be heard.

I don't know who is 'winning.' I support Obama, so I'm obviously biased at this point. All I can say is that I try to listen to Hillary and she just grates on me -- and that on top of the fact that I completely disagree with her..you know..positions and previous votes.

This debate is just reinforcing why I can't support Hillary. God, who wants to listen to that for four years?

Why is Obama dragging his feet on health care? He is attempting to nuance an answer that should be a simple yes/no. Worse, for him, this is a very strong area for Hillary--he won't beat her on this topic--and now he is getting himself positioned with both her and Edwards criticizing him. He'd better hope or even ask for a change of topic...

After this obnoxious performance by Hillary on MLK day I don't think I could ever vote for her. She disgusts me.

Yes, a question on squirrel recipes and eating would lighten things up a bit.

now onto a "rule-less" debate after commercial break! good god, is wolf kidding? though it did start sounding like a real issues-related sound-off towards the end of this segment.

Round 1: I give it to Clinton for being clear and prepared, sounding calm and in control. Edwards gets a good second, trying to make himself relevant. Obama got beat up by both and was clearly on the defensive and too many of his answers were not clear.

Why is it spinning when you think Hillary is doing well and explaining when you think Obama is?

Matthew,
i disagree. i think Hill came of angry in round one. She and Obama did take some shots at each other that stung, but i dont think Hills won round one...

I'm just looking at the debate, as I wrote to Jim earlier, I am not writing spin and simply sharing my thoughts. Rather than squabble, why don't you write on what you see--good and bad, etc.

And believe me, I will criticize Clinton just as quickly as the others. Regarding Clinton, I do not agree with many of her positions on many issues.

franklyn, okay, who do you think won and why?

Matthew,
i think Hill made her points as usual, but her tone was angry. Listening to her now, she has obviously calmed down in her tone...
Obama held his own but there were times when he wasnt clear on his rebuttals, but he went after Hills for the first time in the campaign.
JE, like i said previously, is doing well, but its like he doesnt belong there. This is a heavyweight fight and JE is a featherweight right now

Clinton is inspiring in her 'follow-up' to the question about Bill being the first "black" president. What did Obama say? His long, carefully worded answer got lost in her inspirational answer. I am not Black but I don't think I'm too far off in that she hits a more emotional cord that he did.

Yes, franklyn, Edwards is doing good. I think he does best with his short answers. But, if I hear another answer about his mill-worker father...

Yes, bring back the first round format. So much more meaningful and substantive. Now, we've got the safe campaign answers. Boring...

Brilliant JE gambit with McCain. Knocks Hillary out hard.

Round 2: Format is the loser. Overall, I think it is a draw. Clinton was more inspirational, Obama calmer, and Edwards, unfortunately is back to talking about his mill-worker father and special-interest. He's the loser as a result.

Does anyone really see much difference in the source of the candidate's funds? Whether from trial lawyers, from lobbyists, from companies, or whatever, it is from someone wanting something for their money. I don't know why Edwards is so stuck on splitting hairs on this side issue.

Another lie from Hillary:

What polls show her beating McCain?

Also: the people went after her HUSBAND... In the Senate races: the 2000 election was odd with Rudy dropping out near the election, and the GOP ran a strawman in 2006.

JE question just now to Hills about hiring lobbyist is getting tired...Hill's response just blew him out of the water...JE is officially finished...

You don't beat John McCain by being John McCain light.

That was the clearest argument he made tonight. She has no answer.

i wont be surprise if JE drops out after SC!!!!

Good debate!

3. Edwards. Make some excellent comments and challenges to Obama. But loses because of his repeated mill-worker father references and inability to move on from his question on campaign funding sources.

2. Barack. Angry, no clear answers to some questions. Lost big on health care in particular with both Clinton and Edwards challenging him. Overall, no emotional connection.

1. Clinton. Prepared, had great emotional commments. I think, as well, she spoke to the congressional delegation in the audience. Remarkable performance.

BTW, I do not think comments on Barack's occasional stutter is appropriate or relevant. And, to Goliath Gunner, there is absolutely nothing unpresidental about it. What rediculous stupidity.