Bloodless Coup

The winner was, of course, the novel format. I found it to be a very interesting change for the better. It seemed like there was so much more empathy coming from the candidates and the questioners when real people were asking them (and asking them very pointedly).

I have to agree that Cooper was excellent. Best moderator I've seen. Although I agree that Obama was much improved, I really feel like Clinton won it. She didn't stand out, but she doesn't need to. She just stands up there and exudes confidence. She's very patient, completely at ease, and never falters on a question. I thought the way she handled the Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton was extremely good. But thats how she has consistently impressed me - she always answers the hard ones well. Contrast that, with say, John Edwards. When he was talking about gay marriage, he seemed tortured over his position, almost apologetic even. Maybe its genuine - he always talks about his inner turmoil over it. It just doesn't play out well to either audience.

Happy Birthday Ryan!

And I agree with basically everything you wrote. The format really worked, especially in that the candidates were having to react to real people.

I thought Edwards gay marriage response was one of the low points of the night. He said that his opposition to it doesn't stem from his religious beliefs. Ok, fine, then what? I think Anderson should have pressed him on that. Though I did LOVE it when Anderson had the reverend ask the question again when Edwards didn't really answer it. I thought Richardson was awful on that question to - I want to end this discrimation and that discrimination and give gays equality ... but apparently some different equality that doesn't include marriage.

Obviously I agree, but yeah right, Anderson getting to close to a gay issue - I'm sure mr. glass closet wanted to skim over that as quickly as possible. The reverand in the audience was a great touch though.

And thanks for the birthday wishes.

Given what Anderson was wearing, can we still say he's closeted? :) For what it's worth, I thought that was a brilliant suit - bold (the stripes! the tiny lapels!) and subtle at once, and cut extremely well.

Thinking more about individual answers I continue to find Richardson really annoying. Being bipartisan isn't an actual policy. I thought Dodd's remarks about his daughters/gay rights were very savvy (and right), and the more I think about it the more flumoxing and irritating I find Edwards' comments on gay marriage. But then that wasn't the only point on which I found Edwards somewhat irritating.